Ribble Valley rejects pair of resi proposals
Summary
Ribble Valley Council has refused two residential schemes, one in Wilpshire and one in Osbaldeston, despite differing officer recommendations. The decisions come amid concern that repeated appeal losses could place the council’s planning function into special measures, following recent inspectorate defeats on other housing proposals.
Why it matters
The article highlights how local planning decisions, appeal outcomes and officer recommendations can materially affect housing delivery and planning risk in the residential sector. Surveyors involved in development, valuation or due diligence should note the implications of planning uncertainty, site constraints and the potential for policy decisions to be overturned on appeal.
Key points
- Persimmon Homes North West’s 80-home Wilpshire scheme was refused on accessibility and visual impact grounds.
- Specialist Diesel’s 85-home Osbaldeston proposal was refused on seven grounds, including sustainability, ecology, access, drainage and noise.
- Officers had recommended approval or delegation for the Wilpshire site, citing housing allocation and lack of five-year supply.
- The council has recently lost appeals on other major housing schemes, raising the prospect of special measures.
- Statutory consultees were largely satisfied with the Wilpshire scheme, but local objections were substantial.
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