Proposal: Demolition of existing structures and the erection of a housing scheme of 
20 dwellings comprised of 8 dwelling houses, 4 bungalows and 8 cottage style 
apartments, with access, car parking, landscaping and other associated works. 
Location: 12 Church Road, Banks, Southport, 
Grid Ref: SD 339092 420929 
Application ref: 2024/1028/FUL
Regarding your letter dated the 28th April 2025.
The site was visited on the 20th January 2025.
Summary
Lancashire County Council acting as the Local Highway Authority does not consider 
that the application as submitted fully assesses the highway impact of the proposed 
development and further information is required as set out in this response. Without 
this information the Local Highway Authority is unable to support the application as 
presented. 
Development Proposal 
The proposal is for the erection of 20 dwellings with access and associated car parking 
following the demolition of the existing buildings on the site.
Site Access
The existing vehicular access to the site is from Church Road. The applicant proposes 
that the access will remain at the same location with improvements carried out.
The proposed new vehicular access would need to be maintained with a minimum 
width of at least 5.5m for a distance of 10m into the site and provide a 6m radius on 
both sides of the access. The submitted plans appear to show this.
The visibility splays provided within the Transport Assessment for the proposed 
vehicular access are inadequate. On the drawing the visibility splays provided only 
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demonstrate splays of 40m and the one to the east of the site does not appear to go 
up to the nearside edge of the carriageway.
For the access to comply with the LHAs visibility splay guidance for a 30mph road, the 
access should provide visibility splays of 2.4m x 43m in both directions. These would 
need to be provided over land within the applicants control and/or the adopted 
highway. We would request that the applicant fully shows all works which would be 
required to provide the sight lines, and to include the visibility splays within the red 
edge.
The 43m distance is required to allow vehicles on Church Road sufficient forward 
visibility and stopping distance to see emerging traffic from the proposed access road. 
For LCC Highways to support a shortfall in visibility we would require a traffic survey 
to be conducted demonstrating the 85th percentile speeds on Church Road.
The applicant has proposed tactile paving provision and dropped kerbs across the 
vehicular access point which is acceptable.
The construction of the proposed vehicular access point would require a section 278 
agreement to be entered.
The applicant has relocated the car parking for plot 20 which is acceptable.
Sustainable Travel
2m wide footways are provided within the proposed site connecting from Church Road 
to the proposed dwellings. A 2m wide footway is also provided to the front of the site 
along Church Road which is acceptable. 
Cycle storage has been provided for all dwellings which is considered acceptable.
To promote sustainable travel by public transport services, it is requested that bus stop 
improvements are carried out to the existing bus stops approx. 75m to the east of the 
site. They would need to be upgraded to Quality Bus Stop standards in order to 
promote sustainable travel and make the use of public transport more attractive. This 
is necessary to ensure safe and suitable access to the site can be achieved for all 
users.
LCC Highways previously requested land dedicated at the front of the proposed site 
to provide a bus shelter, however the quality bus stop improvement to the existing bus 
stops to the east of the site as detailed above would be considered sufficient. 
Additionally, an uncontrolled crossing would be required to assist all users of the site 
to the opposite side of Church Road. It is noted that the applicant has shown the tactile 
paving crossing point on the south side of Church Road on the updated plan, however 
we would also require one to be installed on the north side of Church Road opposite.
These works would form part of the off-site highway works. This will need to be 
constructed under a section 278 agreement of the 1980 Highways Act.
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Conclusion
The applicant has addressed some of the concerns raised in the previous consultation 
response relating to the parking arrangement for Plot 20, the waste management 
strategy and agreed to some of the requested S278 improvements; however, there 
are still further concerns that need to be addressed.
LCC Highways has no objections to the principle of what is proposed and if the 
applicant can address the remaining issues regarding visibility splays and commit to 
the necessary S278 improvements (crossing point on the north side of Church Lane 
and quality bus stop improvements) then LCC Highways would like the opportunity to 
be reconsulted so that we can provide further comment.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Yours sincerely,
Jacob Thompson
Highway Development Control

How You Can Help: PLEASE EXPRESS INTEREST OF STARTING A BUSINESS ON FLEETWOOD FARM

1. Express Interest in Commercial Units

Cllr. John Howard has received expressions of interest from businesses eager to occupy units if the development includes commercial spaces. This counters claims that there's no demand for retail in Banks, which Tawyd valley developments argue citing local estate agents.   we know this is not the case as all the commercial units have been taken up in the village and there is desperate need for more space for amenities.

If you or someone you know is interested in:

Relocating a business to Banks
Expanding into a retail space
Transitioning from a home-based setup to a physical shop
Starting a new venture in the village
Please contact:

Cllr. John Howard

Email: Cllr.Howard@westlancs.gov.uk
Phone: 07795 200514
Facebook: facebook.com/groups/NMHBCouncillors
Website: westlancsconservatives.org

A brief message outlining your interest can make a significant impact. This is not a commitment, just an expression of interest to demonstrate genuine demand for commercial spaces.  We need as many as possible to evidence there is a big demand for a village square of shops/amenities/community hubs etc.  

2. Contact Planning Officers with Your Concerns

If you have concerns about the current plans—such as the lack of infrastructure, schools, GP access, or the loss of promised amenities—you can voice them directly to the Planning Officers:

Email: plan.apps@westlancs.gov.uk
Subject: Objection to Residential-Only Proposal at Fleetwood Farm, Banks
In your email, clearly state your objections and any suggestions or alternatives you propose. Individual feedback is crucial in influencing planning decisions.

3. Sign and Share the Petition

If you haven't already, please sign and share the petition with friends, family, and local businesses. Every signature counts.

Let's work together to ensure Banks gets the village centre and retail space it was promised—not just additional housing without supporting infrastructure.

Thank you for your continued support.