Plans for the relief road in the garden village have been approved.

Hyndburn Council has approved a 6.8 meter wide relief road for the Huncoat Garden Village project connecting Altham Lane to Burnley Road. The tree lined corridor will serve as the main access to one of East Lancashires largest new housing developments, supporting up to 1800 homes.

Hyndburn Council has formally approved the construction of a 6.8-meter-wide relief road that will serve as the principal access route to one of the largest proposed housing developments in East Lancashire. The approval was confirmed during a planning committee session on Wednesday, representing a key milestone for the Huncoat Garden Village project.

Details of the New Road

The approved relief road will extend approximately 1,200 yards (1.1 kilometers) and is designed as a tree-lined corridor, creating an attractive entrance to the planned development. Named Huncoat Lane, the road will connect Altham Lane in the north to a roundabout on Burnley Road in the south. It is situated west of the Accrington Bypass, near the Griffin pub, and will serve as the main thoroughfare for the area.

Purpose and Scope of the Development

The relief road is a central feature of the Huncoat Garden Village project, which is expected to cover 460 meters and provide up to 1,800 new homes. The development will make use of the former power station and colliery sites in Huncoat, transforming the area into a major residential hub within the borough.

Support and Objections

Approval was granted despite some opposition. Lancashire County Council raised concerns regarding the scheme. Fifteen public objections were formally submitted, and local resident Nick Whittaker requested a deferral of the decision due to outstanding questions about the project. In contrast, former Hyndburn Council leader Miles Parkinson emphasized the significance of the relief road, warning that delays could create a major gap in Hyndburn’s Local Plan, which sets the borough’s development strategy for the next three decades. Parkinson stated that the Huncoat Garden Village project is integral to the Local Plan’s implementation.

Expert Insights

Madelaine Davies, associate technical director at Arcadis, the consultancy advising on the project, highlighted the quality of the road’s design. She described the relief road as establishing a high-quality, tree-lined gateway to Huncoat and characterized the development as sustainable and well-planned.

Council Perspectives

Hyndburn Council Leader Munsif Dad stressed that the relief road and the garden village are key elements of the Local Plan. According to Dad, the project will provide 1,800 homes and attract £500,000 in new investment, leaving a lasting legacy for the borough ahead of its scheduled abolition in 2028 under proposed local government restructuring. Clare Pritchard, the council’s borough town centres officer, noted that the relief road would alleviate traffic congestion in Huncoat Village, enhancing local transport flow.

Planning Report Findings

The planning officers’ report acknowledged that the road would have a negative impact on the character and appearance of the area. However, it noted that such effects are anticipated for a project of this scale. The report concluded that the benefits of constructing the relief road outweigh the potential harm, supporting the council’s decision to grant planning permission.

Next Steps

With planning permission approved, the relief road project moves closer to execution. This development is expected to facilitate the broader Huncoat Garden Village initiative, establishing one of East Lancashire’s most significant residential projects to date.

Sources:

• BBC News
• Lancashire Telegraph
• Accrington Observer
• Garden village relief road plans approved

Author: Grace Ellison
Grace Ellison is a journalist focusing on environmental issues and sustainability. She has experience publishing international reports and participating in documentary projects.