‘Billy Bobs’ diner and ice cream parlour gets go-ahead

Councillors approved an application, with conditions, for a Billy Bobs ice cream parlour, diner and children’s play area at North Planks Farm off Garstang Road in Myerscough.

Bosses behind the plans say they are “delighted” that work will start soon, but objectors have raised fears over traffic and the design of the building.

Andy Howcroft, who lives close to where the diner will be, said he was disappointed with the decision.

He said: “We had planning permission granted ourselves to build what would have been our dream house in the paddock next to us, but there’s no way we’ll be doing that now.”

He said he was concerned about the number of cars the development would attract, and added: “It is completely out-of-keeping with the area.

He said: “It is going to be built in the style of a New England farmette.

“It’s going to be a horrendous eyesore.”

But William Fry, managing director of agents Rural Solutions, said he was pleased the majority of Wyre Council’s planning committee had voted to allow the application.

He said the development would bring economic benefits, boost leisure and tourism in the area, and create many jobs.

He said: “We’ve got a lot of planning conditions to work through but we would hope, with a fair wind, we would be looking to get a spade in the ground at the beginning of March.”

Responding to objections from neighbours, he said: “The only people who can mediate between the applicant and the objectors is the planning authority, and the planning authority was happy with the design and scale and traffic implications.”

He said Billy Bobs would not be busy at rush hour, and would operate between 10am and 6pm, and said: “It’s not going to be onerous on local residents in any way.

“We have listened to what people have asked us for.
“I think what people will find once it has been built is that its use in practice is, after all, not something they needed to be concerned about.”