CPRE plays pivotal role in 1300 homes rejection on Lancashire farmland

Proposals to build up to 1,300 homes on green belt farmland in Samlesbury, Lancashire, have been officially rejected — following insight from CPRE Lancashire and more than 1,250 public objections and sustained opposition from local communities, farmers and campaigners.

CPRE Lancashire is proud to have played a key role in a major victory for Lancashire’s countryside, providing detailed planning evidence and reinforcing the case for refusal.

The proposed “Cuerdale Garden Village” would have consumed vast areas of productive farmland east of the M6, alongside industrial units, commercial development and major infrastructure. Local Councillor Jasmine Gleave described the scheme as an “assault on the countryside”.

Many residents whose families have farmed the land for generations spoke out against the plans. Tenant farmer Richard Eastham told the BBC his family had farmed Walmsley Fold Farm for 80 years and that the site supports food production across the Ribble Valley and beyond.

CPRE Lancashire first objected to the scheme in 2022. When the developer returned in 2025 with revised arguments around so-called “Grey Belt” land, our Planning Manager, Edward Taylor, robustly challenged the claims and reaffirmed the case that the development was unsustainable and failed the test of Very Special Circumstances.

Edward comments: “I reiterated our original grounds for objection and rebutted the new argument by pointing out that the extent of harm to the Green Belt, loss of farmland, and related rural sector businesses and a whole host of other social and environmental harms, including ecology and flood issues would not be justified by Very Special Circumstances, the proposal  would be in an unsustainable location and that the land did not meet the definition of Grey Belt, as it makes a significant contribution to the purposes of the Green Belt. 

“I’m delighted that this new insight saw the application ultimately refused on the grounds that the harm caused by the proposal, including that to the green belt, would not be justified by Very Special Circumstances, which is the argument we put forward.”

Thank you to everyone who joined CPRE Lancashire by objecting, campaigning and standing up for our local countryside.