Sports Village and 220 homes
26th of February, 2026
An outline planning application has been submitted for the creation of a sports village including 220 dwellings on land north of the Halfpenny Lane / Inglewhite Road junction.
Although described as Longridge, the application is in Whittingham Parish and was discussed at our Council meeting held on the 12th March 2026 when it was resolved to object to the planning application. The objection letter is reproduced below for your information:-
Dear Sir or Madam
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the submission of the above planning application.
The Parish Council recalled considering a consultation on this proposed development at a meeting held on 9 October 2025 and now had clarification that vehicular access to the site would be from Chipping Lane, with three pedestrian and cycle access points from Old Clay Lane and another through the existing football ground car park.
Whilst the Parish Council acknowledges that the development complies with Core Strategy Policy 1 Part (b) (iii) which identifies Longridge as a Key Service Centre the site lies within the open countryside and therefore is contrary to Policy EN1.
The application proposes up to 220 homes of which 100% will be affordable which significantly exceeds Core Strategy Policy 7 which requires residential developments of 15 dwellings or more in urban areas to provide 30% affordable housing. This is not an urban area and the Parish Council believes this need should be delivered on brownfield sites such as the city centre because the Parish is well served with affordable housing at recent and approved housing developments.
The Parish Council also wishes to raise the additional concerns:
· The proximity of the development to an odour zone agreed at a recent appeal.
. The impact on established trees, plants, hedgerows and wildlife in the local area with unacceptable levels of light pollution disturbing nocturnal animals.
· It is not clear who will finance the building the proposed dance / gymnastic club
· Sports facilities are being provided at Whittingham Sports & Social Club and local schools
· The inaccurate statement that residents can walk to Longridge amenities in 5 – 15 mins
· The NHS response that the development will impact on primary care services in the area.
. Significant additional traffic on Inglewhite Road, Derby Road and Halfpenny Lane which are already heavily congested.
· Congestion and parking considerations on Longridge Town FC match days
· The overload on the sewage system given that United Utilities have previously stated that they are unable to refuse a connection to a developer.
The Parish Council has resolved to object to the planning application for the reasons outlined above.
Mr Mike Thorpe
Clerk to Whittingham Parish Council
07508 783185
Type 06/2026/0140 into the City Council Planning website to view the location and submission details.