Plans submitted for 51 home development in Rufford

Nov 1 2012 by Rob Pattinson, Ormskirk Advertiser

PLANS for a development containing 51 new homes in Rufford have been submitted to West Lancs council.

R&J Pickavance have applied for outline permission for the housing development, which would include 30% affordable housing, on 2.08 hectares of land off New Road.

The greenfield site was formerly worked as agricultural land and currently houses a row of greenhouses and former polytunnels, and is bound by Green Belt land to the south.

It is currently used for occasional storage and repair of agricultural machinery.

The site is separated from the Rufford Boundary Sluice by a public footpath and the Environment Agency flood map suggests the southern section of the site would be at risk from flooding.

A flood risk assessment submitted with the plans confirms it may be necessary to discharge surface water into the sluice to allow effective drainage of the site.

In the planning statement prepared by Sedgwick Associates on behalf on the applicant, the agent claims that the development would have “numerous economic benefits”, resulting in a significant number of construction jobs and benefit traders including the pub and shop in the village through increased trade, and enhance the “vitality” of Rufford.

The design and access statement provided as part of the application states that design aspects likely to be taken forward, should outline permission be granted, include the retention of hedgerows and existing trees where possible, an 8m buffer zone provided along the sluice due to the presence of water voles, and gaps along the New Road frontage to reflect the density of nearby development.

It anticipates landscaping will be provided throughout, while the development will most probably be set back from Liverpool Road.