Council issue fresh update on Bourne Hill development

Wyre Council has issued a fresh update on the potential development at Bourne Hill in Thornton.

Earlier this month a team of archaeologists uncovered evidence of Roman and Iron Age occupation at the site.

Oxford Archaeology said the site at Bourne Hill in Thornton-Cleveleys has evidence of both an Iron Age settlement and Roman occupation.

The company were commissioned to carry out an excavation at the site, which has been earmarked for a 158 property housing development.

Now, in response to ongoing queries regarding the Bourne Hill site, a spokesperson for the council said:

‘’We would like to reiterate that planning permission has not yet been granted. Wyre’s planning committee recommended approval at the committee meeting of June 2023, subject to a Section 106 (S106) agreement.

‘’A S106 agreement is currently being finalised on the infrastructure requirements of local service providers such as Lancashire County Council (LCC) and the NHS. In this instance, money has been requested to support the reconfiguration and extension of Thornton Medical Centre and Beechwood surgery, to contribute towards play equipment on the recreational land on Bourne Way and to improve highway safety.’

‘’Once the S106 is agreed, planning permission can be granted, which includes a condition relating to archaeological finds and excavations. Oxford Archaeology North (OAN) have been commissioned by the developer to conduct an archaeological survey and are currently preparing the post excavation report to satisfy this planning condition.

‘’The report will detail all of the archaeological works conducted, together with the results and analysis of the findings and once finalised, will be made available to the public providing valuable insight into these discoveries. We have visited the site this week and have held discussions with the developer to reiterate that work cannot commence until all conditions are discharged and we would like to reassure the public once more that all work so far has proceeded in accordance with the standard process for managing archaeological sites in the planning process.

‘’The council has relied, as it always does, on the expertise of a specialist archaeology planning officer from Lancashire County Council’s (LCC) Historic Environment Team throughout this process.

Peter McCrone, Planning Officer (Archaeology), Lancashire County Council Historic Environment Team added: “The excavations were carried out to a project design that conforms with national standards and guidance from the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists. The post excavation process will also be carried out in conformation with CIfA standards and guidance.

‘’Ultimately the archaeological archive will be deposited with Lancashire County Museums but options for earlier presentations to local schools, special interest groups and the public are being explored.

‘’Archaeology finds are common on development sites and the planning system has within it a number of controls to protect or preserve these should it be necessary. Initial findings from expert advisors at LCC have confirmed that there will be no archaeological harm done by removing any finds and by any subsequent development.’’