The relieved boss of one of the county's biggest mushroom farms can finally progress long held plans to expand his successful business.

And welcoming the news, John Dorrian of Smithy Mushrooms told QLocal: "It's a great result for jobs and employment in the area" adding "People seem to think Smithy Mushrooms have just arrived in Scarisbrick but we’ve been here for over 30 years."

There are no firm dates yet for the project to start after a surprise decision to overturn the borough council's original decision to block the application was overturned by the government’s Planning Inspectorate.

The new farm's proposed for land behind Bungalow Farm on Heatons Bridge Road; the original planning application in 2019 stated the proposal will provide 70 local jobs.

Plans were opposed by local residents who staged a vociferous campaign and Scarisbrick Parish Council which stated the development was “inappropriate in the Green Belt because of its size.” Council planners also stated that its scale “would result in significant visual harm in the landscape.”

However, the Planning Inspectorate took a different view and Inspector Waldegrave Johnson wrote: “Given the overall appearance of the proposed development and its height, I do not consider that the proposed development would have a detrimental effect on users of Heatons Bridge Road or the canal footpath.

“Although, local residents may experience changes to their views, this would not be detrimental to their living conditions.”

He added: “The proposed development would involve a loss of greenfield land but in considering the environmental role, this is balanced against its intended agricultural use and appearance.

“There would be very significant benefits to the economic and social roles through the construction of the proposed development, the support of the existing local business and the generation of a notable number of job opportunities available to those in the local community.

“I conclude therefore that these are material considerations which mean that in this case the proposed development can be determined other than in accordance with the development plan. I therefore conclude that the proposed development is suitable for the site.”

shock horror local business gets planning permission to create jobs