“Housing developments in Preston West will affect all of us with traffic problems and congestion unless there is a real strategy from Lancashire County and Preston City Councils working in harmony on these issues” says County Cllr Bill Winlow. “After drawing local residents attention to Preston’s Preferred Site Allocations at Stoney Butts and off Dodney Drive in Lea last June, there was a huge turnout of residents at the Preston Citizenzone Bus at Lea Club to express their displeasure at what the developers were suggesting.

“Since the submission by CEG for a predatory housing development north of Hoyles Lane, Cottam, last summer, we still await the presentation by CEG at Preston Planning Committee. But a lot of local activity has since taken place since the Public Meeting we called on 20^th  August at Cottam Nursery School, Sandy Lane and to which over 100 residents turned up. The active Cottam Village Action Group (CoVAG) has been set up and I regularly attend its meetings. Lots of evidence has been accumulated which clearly shows that proper strategic thinking on development is vital.

“Fortunately LCC has been consulting on the draft Central Lancashire Highways and Transport Masterplan and agreement on this is an essential step before any Development can even be considered. We also need a Social Strategy from Preston City Council outlining the likely locations of schools, health centres, shops, play areas, green space, etc before any further planning permission is granted. Nor should it be granted before we know whether the Preston City Deal has been finalised as this will allow the financing of new roads such as the Preston Western Distributor (bypass road) and a new junction from the M55”, Bill concludes.