PLANS for 36 new homes and affordable apartments at Billington in the Ribble Valley are being recommended for deferral so an objection from the Environment Agency regarding a flood risk survey can be clarified.

In April, the Environment Agency recommended refusal of a planning application by developer Redrow Homes for the new houses and apartments on land at Neddy Lane, Billington.

The agency’s objection was based on an alleged ‘inadequate flood risk assessment’, according to an agenda for Ribble Valley Borough Council’s Planning and Development meeting which is to be held today.

Redrow Homes provided an updated flood risk assessment in August but the Environment Agency has not yet added any further comments, the agenda states.

The latest Planning & Development meeting agenda states: “It is acknowledged that the site lies close to areas at a high risk of flooding and the surrounding area has been impacted by recent flooding events. Whilst the planning process cannot be used to require a developer to deal with existing issues, it must be ensured that a development does not increase flood risk elsewhere. Consideration must also be given to the fact that this is currently an open field and when developed proper drainage systems will be put in place.”

Lancashire County Council and United Utilities have not raised any objections on flooding or road safety grounds, The county council is seeking a contribution from the developer towards three secondary school places of £69,000. The county says there are enough primary school places locally.

Now, Ribble Valley planning officers are recommending deferral until the Environment Agency’s floor risk assessment concerns have been addressed.

The number of proposed homes for the Neddy Lane site has been reduced from 41 to 38, allowing a more spacious feel. Redrow now proposes 26 four and three-bedroom homes, two bungalows for the over-55s, available through an affordable shared ownership scheme; and a block of eight one-bedroom apartments, to be for affordable rent.

The Planning & Development agenda adds: “The applicant has engaged in discussions with Ribble Valley Borough Council’s housing officer with respect to the mix. As a result, the affordable housing offer is divided into eight affordable rent units and two bungalow units restricted to affordable over-55s accommodation. This offer takes into consideration the particular housing need in this area, where there is a need for more affordable rented accommodation and less demand for older persons’

accommodation. All eight units in the apartment block will be

offered as affordable rented units. In this particular location, this mix is considered appropriate.”

Billington & Langho Parish Council has objected to the plan, with fears about flood risk, road safety, part of the site being outside the settlement boundary and the jobs created from construction will only be temporary.

In another application for this month’s meeting ,  a plan for 16 lodges or caravan base plots, a sales office and a site manager’s accommodation at a holiday site near Clitheroe is being recommended by officers for approval.

The application is for Pendle View Fisheries near the A59 road east of Barrow, between Clitheroe and Whalley. The holiday site has been subject to a number of planning approvals and changes since 2015.

As part of the latest application for 16 base plots with parking spaces, additional planting and landscape work is proposed to  promote wildlife and at last three bat boxes are to be fixed to mature trees.  Any trees that are to be removed are identified as low quality and not worthy of retention, the planning committee agenda states.