But Foster said: ‘I would argue they should spend a few more days with us and experience the severe detrimental impact we already face, congestion all around Penwortham and across the west coast main line and within Lostock Hall.’
But the council rejected the controversial plans, citing concerns about the impact on local roads, and highway safety.
The case went to a public inquiry last year, and the planning inspector and the government minister sided with the developers. The planning inspector said that ‘the proposed development would not give rise to severe impacts on the road network’.
‘The development will bring a number of key benefits to the area, including 330 new affordable homes, local highway improvements, significant financial contributions via a Community Infrastructure Levy, land for a new primary school and a new local centre which will create new jobs as well as being an exciting new benefit to the local community.
The homes, masterplanned by 5plus for Taylor Wimpey and Homes England, were proposed across two sites on open land at Pickering’s Farm, Penwortham, allocated for development in the local plan. The scheme also includes a school.
A spokesperson for Taylor Wimpey and Homes England said: ‘We have collaborated with the local community and other key stakeholders to develop our proposals and we welcome the recent decision to allow planning permission for the delivery of up to 1,100 homes.
The inspector also said that the proposals ‘would bring with them extensive economic, social & environmental public benefits’.
‘We are creating a sustainable development in accordance with South Ribble’s Local Plan, providing active travel connections with the existing neighbourhoods whilst delivering the homes necessary to meet the needs of the local community.’