Green belt protected in Scarisbrick

CPRE is delighted that our objection to an application to build very large sheds for mushroom culture on Grade 1 agricultural land in Scarisbrick has been successful.

We successfully objected to a development proposal for an extremely large factory building in isolated West Lancashire countryside, which is protected by Green Belt designation. Local residents were very concerned about the loss of the highest grade, grade 1, best and most versatile farmland.

The landscape and visual impact would have been significantly adverse, and permission would have set a terrible precedent. We recommended that the operations associated with the mushroom farm (industrial shed, growing rooms, laboratory, more akin to a employment shed) would be better suited to location on a vacant industrial site in Burscough as the jobs would still be delivered, but none of the harm to the sensitive rural area would result.

Thankfully the development management committee recognised the extent of harm to Green belt purpose and in agreeing with CPRE refused the application. If this application comes back on appeal we are ready to back residents in their fight against industrialisation of the countryside

Download our objection letter here.