Councillors fight to stop 150 homes
COUNCIL members will bring a legal challenge against the decision to build 150 houses on the Parrs Lane site in Aughton.
Last month, the Planning Inspector overturned the council’s original decision to refuse planning approval on the site which is listed in the Local Plan as being suitable for future development.
The Local Plan, which was approved by the previous Conservative administration, lists a number of sites that may be used to meet the targets set by national government for house building.
Labour councillors believe that the Planning Inspector failed to take into account all of the available sites in the borough.
Councillor John Hodson, the portfolio holder for Planning, said, “The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), which was introduced under the Conservativeled government in 2012, has seriously undermined the powers of local government to tackle planning issues, particularly in relation to house building.
“Unfortunately, members of the public, particularly those in the Aughton area, have been misled by the Conservative councillors who told them that this land was ‘safeguarded’ against development.
“As a council, we will do everything in our power to ensure that residents’ concerns are taken into account in such matters, so that future building plans benefit all of us in West Lancashire and not just the developers.
“Aughton Residents Group (ARG) 2012 have previously opposed the devleopment and are delighted to hear that West Lancashire Borough Council are to challenge the Planning Inspector’s decision.
“The group are pleased to see that the council is prepared to defend the recently adopted Local Plan and take notice of the views of the local MP, borough councillors, Aughton Parish Council and local residents.
“The Planning Inspector is also currently deliberating on the Redrow Appeal and is soon due to make his decision regarding their plans to build a further 250 houses on land at Parrs Lane.
“We are hopeful that the Planning Inspector will now accept that Redrow’s appeal is also contrary to the requirements of the Local Plan and refuse it. We have been actively campaigning and resisting development on this land for the past four years and will continue to uphold the interests of local residents and work with the local council to fend off rogue, hostile and speculative planning applications.”
An Extraordinary Council meeting will be held today (Thursday September 22) to discuss the matter.