Plans approved to protect Wennington home from erosion

Lancaster City Council has given the green light for erosion protection works at Old Smithy House in Wennington, where the River Wenning has been steadily eating away at the bank behind the property.

A council report found the riverbank has been "progressively eroded and undercut" in recent years, with experts warning urgent action is needed to safeguard the house, garden and retaining wall.

The council found that urgent action was needed (Image: Lancaster City Council)

The scheme will see the installation of rip rap stone and rock rolls along the riverbank in a bid to stabilise the area and prevent further land loss.

Erosion threat

Planning documents show the erosion has been developing over a number of years, with photographic evidence submitted showing changes to the riverbank between 2011 and 2025.

Engineers warned that without intervention, continued erosion and land movement could pose a serious risk to the structural stability of the property.

Council planners said the works are “urgent and essential” to protect the home and nearby heritage assets from further damage.

Objections raised

Objectors to the proposal have argued that the development would bring significant and lasting impacts to the local area, particularly around traffic, environmental pressure, and the character of the community.

Several residents said the scale of the plans feels "out of keeping" with surrounding properties, while others raised concerns about infrastructure struggling to cope with any increase in demand.

One resident, speaking on behalf of a group of neighbours, said: "We’re not against change, but this is simply too much, too fast for an area like ours — it risks permanently altering what makes this place special."

Campaigners have also pointed to a perceived lack of meaningful consultation, claiming their concerns have not been fully addressed.

However, ecological assessments submitted with the plans found the site to be of low ecological value, with no evidence of otters or their habitats within the immediate area.

Planners concluded the works would only cause temporary disturbance and would not harm protected species, subject to mitigation measures.

Backing from authorities

Despite objections, key consultees raised no opposition to the plans. The Environment Agency said it had no flood risk objections and was satisfied the scheme would not increase flooding elsewhere.

The Old Smithy House, Wennington (Image: Google)

Lancashire County Council highways officers also raised no objection, subject to conditions around construction management and site access.

Wennington Parish Council supported the application, including proposals to extend protection works onto nearby parish‑owned land.

Heritage impact and conditions

The site lies within the Wennington Conservation Area, and council officers acknowledged the works would have a minor visual impact on the riverbank.

However, they concluded this would be outweighed by the benefits of protecting the existing property.

Planning permission was formally granted on May 29, subject to conditions including ecological mitigation, construction controls and restrictions on when works can take place.

Works must avoid the river lamprey spawning season between April and June, unless further safeguards are put in place.

Biodiversity requirement

Although the applicant argued the proposal should be exempt from biodiversity net gain rules, council officers determined the exemption did not apply. As a result, a biodiversity gain plan must be approved before development can begin.

Decision

In approving the scheme, planners said the need to protect the home and prevent further erosion outweighed the limited environmental and visual harm.

They concluded the development complied with both local and national planning policies and would not increase flood risk elsewhere.