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Grimsargh Wetlands new homes plan tabled to fund nature reserve

Posted on - 31st August, 2015 - 12:00pm | Author - | Posted in - Grimsargh, Housing, Preston News, Wildlife and Conservation
How the Grimsargh Wetlands may look once the nature reserve is created

How the Grimsargh Wetlands may look once the nature reserve is created

Plans for 12 homes on the edge of reservoirs in a village on the outskirts of Preston have been described as “an acceptable compromise.”

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United Utilities has tabled plans for building on the edge of the Grimsargh Reservoirs site.

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The reservoirs, which are only part full and are in the process of being decommissioned, are due to pass into ownership of Grimsargh Parish Council.

Parish councillors have praised United Utilities in the latest plans for the site, as they look to find a way to raise funds for the Grimsargh Wetlands project to progress.

A statement from the water firm says: “Grimsargh Reservoirs were originally built in 1835 and supplied part of Preston with drinking water.

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“Due to their age, considerable investment would have been required to keep them in service.

“A series of works were undertaken in 2008 to take the reservoirs out of service and make them safe.

“As the reservoirs no longer have an operation purpose, United Utilities wishes to find a secure future, and following consultation with Grimsargh Parish Council and Preston City Council, they have undertaken to secure funding.

“All parties are keen to ensure the long term protection and management of the reservoirs, and to enable this, a small portion of the site which fronts Preston Road is to be developed into new high quality homes.”

Only six per cent of the reservoir site is earmarked for housing.

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A statement from Grimsargh Parish Council says: “If the proposal if given planning permission and when the housing is sold, this will result in the former reservoirs – known as Grimsargh Wetlands – passing over to the parish council to further develop the area into a Nature Reserve in perpetuity, an invaluable haven for wildlife and a community asset.

“Their proposal includes a relatively modest amount of development which qualifies as ‘infil’ and does not extend the developed village boundary.

“Although we understand that some residents would prefer not to see any building at all, we feel this proposal represents an acceptable comprimise which will ally fears about the future of the site. The potential for a huge housing development covering the whole of the brownfield site has been a persistent worry for many.”

The full plans are available to view on the city council website.

Anyone wishing to comment can do so there or by emailing devcon@preston.gov.uk quoting reference 06/2015/0690 by Saturday 19 September.

Do you live in the area? What do you make of the Wetlands plans? Let us know in the comments below

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