Plans to build two detached properties next to a controversial ‘snail farm’ in Ribchester have been refused by Ribble Valley Borough Council.
Blog Preston reported at the start of February how T. Burns had applied for permission in principle for two homes next to Boudicea Park, on the edge of the Ribble Valley village.
Boudicea Park is owned by Terence Ball and was, last year, the focus of an application for the retention of two holiday lodges and an office building on the site. This was turned down by the council, in a move that was welcomed by the local parish council at the time.
Read more: New cycle lane will aim to connect Preston Railway Station with Newman College
The small plot earmarked for the latest plans would have been accessed via the entrance to the snail farm, but these too have been rejected by councillors.
Last year, Ball was the focus of a Guardian investigation entitled ‘The snail farm don’, which proved to be a lengthy expose of his business dealings and the use of snail farms as tax avoidance schemes.
Designating buildings as snail farms allows them to avoid business rates, as evidenced by the ongoing saga of the derelict BHS store on Fishergate, Preston, which, as Blog Preston reported, was allegedly home to such a facility.
Support Blog Preston: Keep our community reporting going and view the website without any adverts too. Sign up for a membership today.
Stay updated: Keep in touch directly with the latest headlines from Blog Preston, join our WhatsApp channel and subscribe for our twice-a-week email newsletter. Both free and direct to your phone and inbox. Help us report too, by contacting us if you see something we should be reporting on.
Read more: See the latest Preston news and headlines
