Walton-le-Dale building plot at the centre of bizarre planning row goes on the market - here's what for

A building site that triggered a bizarre planning debate has gone on the market.

For £350,000, agent Armistead Barnett is offering for sale a 4.64-acre plot of private woodland in Walton-le-Dale, which has planning permission for a single bungalow.

The agent says: "Set in an unique woodland position within an established residential area, the dwelling will benefit from panoramic views of Holland Wood with views over the River Darwen to the northern perimeter."

Why has this been controversial?

Permission for a bungalow on the site was originally granted in 1971 by the now defunct Preston Rural District Council, with initial work started shortly afterwards. But no time limits were applied to the planning permission, and more than half a century later, new plans for a smaller bungalow with detached double garage were tabled with South Ribble Borough Council.

Biological Heritage Site

South Ribble planning committee members were told that it was “unlikely” that development would be allowed in such a sensitive location today– because the woodland is both a designated biological heritage site and lies within the greenbelt. However, the authority’s planning officers recommended that the proposal be approved – on the basis that it was better than the larger building that could appear if they opposed it.

Read about the arguments in full, here

Planning case officer Catherine Lewis said that the authority would have “little control” over the so-called “fallback position” if the 50-year-old permission was implemented – because no conditions had been attached to it at the time.

Under the new application, future “permitted development” rights – allowing some types of extension without further planning permission – would be denied. Other environmental safeguards – including recommendations to protect habitats – would also be put in place.

"Chewing asbestos"

The plans were eventually passed, with Councillor Barrie Yates likening the development to ‘chewing asbestos’ – claiming that it was something that might not have been frowned upon in the 1970s, but should not be countenanced today.

At the time of the council meeting, Tracey Thomas said the bungalow would be her family home and that she and her partner were "committed to…continuing to maintain the open access which is presently enjoyed by many."