Homeless land sale plan sparks St Annes protest
1:37pm Wednesday 30th April 2008
Residents protesting against plans for housing homeless people in St Annes are calling on councillors to oppose the sale of land for the development.
Cheshire housing association Muir Group was granted planning permission to build 11 residential units on St David's Road North, after a stormy planning meeting in January.
However, Fylde Civic Awareness Group claims that it hopes to persuade councillors not to sell the land, which is a former council vehicle depot.
Group chairman Bob Dagnall, said: "When the council granted planning permission, some people thought the hostel was a foregone conclusion, but it's not.
"Nothing can happen unless Fylde Council sells the land, and we aim to stop that happening.
"Councillors know the public are angry about this and will be held to account for their views."
The group is planning another public meeting in St Leonard's Ward and is also investigating grounds for a judicial review of the council's decision which was against the advice of St Annes Town Council, which said the land should be used for jobs and employment.
Leader of Fylde Council, John Coombes, said that work towards the development was progressing as planned and that work on the essential facility was expected to start later this year.