Concerns over Silverdale housing proposals (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Concerns over Silverdale housing proposals

9:31pm Monday 4th February 2013 in News By Stephanie Manley , Reporter

PLANS to build two houses next to a former pub were met with concern at a north Lancashire parish council meeting.

Michael Holgate submitted an application to turn The Royal Hotel, Silverdale, into houses with two more on adjoining land, early last year.

This was met with fierce opposition from residents and Mr Holgate withdrew his proposals.

Although not re-submitting plans for the old hotel, the local businessman has yet again applied to develop the area next to the site.

Parish council chairman Terry Bond said a letter was to be sent to Lancaster City Council raising councillor's concerns.

Reading the proposed letter he said: “Although the council welcome plans for housing of a more affordable nature, and we have no objections to housing, we are very concerned about the access onto Gaskell Close.”

Driveways for the proposed houses would back on to the Close, on which Karen and David Aldren live. They shared the concerns.

Mrs Aldren said: “It’s a single track road where there are elderly people and children play.

“There is already not enough space for people to park, and there are cars parked on the street. There is no space to walk by. What will happen when there are these extra cars?

“Another concern is that if he is given planning permission for this then he will be able to build houses on the pub land aswell.”