Hest Bank residents call for pause on house building plan

Hest Bank resident Jane Kondras said she was growing increasingly concerned about proposals to build new homes to the east of the village.

She said: “In a world that seems to have lost its way, Slyne-with-Hest is an oasis of calm and community that too many developers will quite cheerfully spoil for large profit. Our reasons for living here will be undermined if construction takes place, as council plans. Slyne-with-Hest is preparing a Neighbourhood Plan and, until it has been written, there should be a moratorium, preventing construction.

“In the meantime, council could help the entire region by restricting the paving of gardens and other green areas.”

Coun Janice Hanson, cabinet member for planning and regeneration, said the council “cannot await the outcomes of the many neighbourhood plans that may be under preparation...before progressing with the local development plans.”

She added: “Furthermore, the city council has not yet actually reviewed the boundaries of the North Lancashire Green Belt; the outcomes of that review will be shown on the policies map which will accompany the new development plan. The council presently anticipates that it will consult on a draft local plan early in 2017.”