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Search the Public Notice PortalAlmost 100 objections have been submitted to plans for a large housing development on farmland on the edge of Poulton‑le‑Fylde, with concerns ranging from traffic and pressure on services to the loss of green space and wildlife habitats.
The outline application, submitted by Blackpool Council, seeks permission for up to 99 new homes on land off Blackpool Old Road, close to Woodhouse Farm.
All matters apart from access have been reserved, meaning the final layout, appearance and landscaping would be decided at a later date if the scheme is approved in principle.
However, the proposals have attracted strong opposition from local people, with 94 submitted to Wyre Council’s planning department and one in favour.
Residents raise traffic, infrastructure and green space fears
A recurring theme in objections is concern over the impact on already busy roads in the area.
Residents have warned that Blackpool Old Road is heavily used at peak times and say the addition of up to 99 households would significantly worsen congestion and road safety.
Objectors have also questioned whether local infrastructure can cope with further development.
Concerns have been raised over GP capacity, school places and drainage, with some residents describing existing services as “at breaking point”.
The potential loss of open countryside has also featured heavily in comments. Many say the site acts as an important green buffer between Poulton and surrounding settlements and fear the development would contribute to urban sprawl.
Wildlife and natural habitats have also been highlighted, particularly given the presence of ponds, trees and hedgerows on and around the site.
Who is behind the scheme?
Unusually, the application has been submitted by Blackpool Council, which owns the land. The authority argues the development would make a valuable contribution to housing supply while retaining and enhancing large areas of green infrastructure.
The site covers around eight hectares, but only just over a third of that would be developed, with the remainder set aside for public open space, drainage features and habitat creation.
A series of detailed technical reports submitted with the application paint a more measured picture than some residents fear.
A Design and Access Statement says the development has been planned as an “organic extension” of Poulton‑le‑Fylde, with homes stepping back from nearby properties and generous buffer zones where development borders existing hedgerows and trees.
A Heritage Statement concludes that nearby Woodhouse Farm, a non‑listed historic farmstead, would not be harmed.
While the surrounding fields contribute to its rural setting, consultants say the development would not affect the farm’s significance or legibility.
Ecological surveys, including specific investigations into great crested newts, found no evidence of protected species currently using ponds on the site.
Historic records showed small numbers had been present years ago, but recent DNA testing was negative.
Ecologists say the plans would not cause ecological harm and could lead to long‑term biodiversity improvements through new ponds and planting.
An arboricultural assessment indicates that most of the site’s higher‑quality trees and hedgerows would be retained and protected during construction.
Meanwhile, a Phase 1 Preliminary Risk Assessment found no significant contamination issues, concluding the land is suitable for residential use subject to standard conditions, including further investigation before construction begins.
Not all issues resolved
Despite the support of environmental and heritage experts, the scheme has not yet cleared all hurdles.
National Highways has formally objected over potential impacts on the wider road network, citing national policy that requires significant developments to demonstrate they would not undermine the safe and efficient operation of major routes.
In addition, the NHS Integrated Care Board has raised concerns over increased demand for healthcare services, requesting a financial contribution of £82,944 towards local provision. That contribution has not yet been secured through a legal agreement.
Because of these unresolved objections, Wyre Council officers are currently recommending that the application be deferred, rather than approved or refused, while negotiations continue.
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What happens next?
As an outline application, the proposals are not yet at the stage where house designs or detailed layouts are fixed. Approval at this point would establish whether housing is acceptable on the site in principle.
If the outstanding issues can be resolved, the application would return to councillors for a decision. If approved, further public consultation would take place at the detailed “reserved matters” stage.
For now, however, the future of the land remains uncertain – with local opposition running high and key technical objections still to be addressed.
Wyre Council has not yet set a date for when the application will return to committee.
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