‘Where are the new schools and hospitals for rising population?’

ADVERTISER readers have given their views on West Lancashire’s Local Plan, with many supporting the call for more homes – with several concerned at the impact on services.

Richard Lee LifesonPeart said: “The country needs homes. As long as they are affordable and have proper amenities and public transport, then what’s the problem?

“We need council houses, but government won’t support such schemes as there’s not enough profit in it for their parasitic mates.”

Edward Kenny More said: “Homes is fine, but not increasing services is the issue here.

“Where are the new schools, hospitals, dentists, GPs etc to handle the increased populations to the towns?

“The schools for example were built based on the current housed population. The council is proposing the building of 15,000 more homes with no plans outlined for future schools to accommodate.

“I get the suggestion, that you need to build the homes and have more people living in them first, but many families will look at what local schools are in the area first before buying a new home, no schools or not enough will be a big put-off for many.”

Matt Taylor said: “It’s chicken and egg. The population needs to grow before schools, hospitals etc.

“Do you know of any such developments that cannot sell their houses? Skelmersdale are selling theirs fast, Maghull’s have flown out and I haven’t noticed new schools in either town.

“The country’s population is growing rapidly and the housing stock is reducing. There’s a group on a West Lancs Facebook page saying the current plan of 300 houses a year was adequate! Not touching the sides with a whole new generation of people, the 60s-85s, now living independently at home.”

Derek Wright said: “The demise of the area continues, I wonder how much more taxpayers’ money has been paid to consultants for these shortsighted proposals.”

Rik Anthony Aindow said: “These new houses are always more expensive than existing stock so they don’t really benefit anyone apart from developers and people who really can’t get a house without a help to buy loan.”

Vinny Vesty said: “More houses, more council tax.”

William Scarisbrick said: “Stop the stealing of greenbelt it can never be replaced.”