South Ribble set for hundreds of new homes

Planning permission has been granted for more than 650 new homes on two disused industrial sites in South Ribble, Lancashire.

The old Vernon Carus land in Penwortham and Lostock Hall’s former gas works site are the locations chosen by developers Morris Homes and Bovis Homes for the project. A mix properties will be built, from one-bedroom apartments to five-bed houses, including a number categorised as ‘affordable’.

The applications include 281 homes on the gas works land and 385 on the Vernon Carus site.

The cabinet member of South Ribble Borough Council responsible for strategic planning and housing, Councillor Cliff Hughes, said: “South Ribble is open for business. We are always delighted to welcome new employers and residents, but it is essential that we manage the growth of the borough carefully.

“While getting disused or derelict sites back into use is very important, we will not compromise ourselves or our residents by accepting something that we don’t feel is absolutely right for the borough.”

He added: “Getting infrastructure right, and ensuring it is in place first, is crucial to the co-ordinated growth of South Ribble.”

Both developments include contributions of amenities and land to the Central Park project, which is aiming to create a large park in the South Ribble area. Buffer zones will be created between public open spaces and housing.

The government has instructed South Ribble Borough Council to identify land for the construction of 417 homes every year until 2026.