Key schemes in balance as plans face vote
PLANNING permission could be granted for a selection of major developments in West Lancashire tonight.
The council’s planning committee is to rule on applications which include the future of a former pub, proposals to replace houses with student accommodation, and major developments creating more than 100 homes and 7,000sq m of employment space.
Planning officers have prepared reports for the committee, factoring in planning policy and feedback from experts and interested parties to make recommendations for each application.
The committee is not bound by those suggestions, though, and the 13 members will vote on each application.
Ahead of the meeting, which takes place at 7pm at the council’s chamber in Ormskirk, the Advertiser takes a closer look at the applications being decided and what impact they will have.
Land north of Whalley’s Road, Skelmersdale
Outline planning has already been approved for homes on four sections of the land off Whalley’s Road and the committee meeting will consider detailed plans for two of those sections.
If both are approved, developer Keir Living will be able to begin construction on a total of 164 homes – a mixture of one bungalows; two, three, four and five bedroom houses; and a single onebedroom apartment. Of the larger application concerning 129 homes, 38 of the units will be classed as affordable, along with 11 out of 35 in the smaller application.
Objections have been filed by residents on issues including increased traffic, the impact on health services and schools, and the impact on wildlife.
As part of the application, a 3m-wide footpath is to be provided to the northern edge of Whalley’s Road along with two bus shelters and a 3m-wide footpath along part of Cobbs Brow leading from the development, across a new pedestrian crossing, to the Maharishi Primary School. The planning officer’s reports for each application states: “I am satisfied that the proposed development would allow for the provision and retention of reasonable levels of amenity for the occupants of future and neighbouring properties.”
Land off Tollgate Road, Burscough
A hyrid application will be considered which would create a link road to the controversial Yew Tree Farm housing site and develop 31,000sq m of employment space.
The new road would link the housing site, off Liverpool Road Southport, to Tollgate Road.
No further suggestion of what type of businesses could move in has been offered and further applications would be needed to cover the designs, sizes and layouts of the new building. The application has been recommended for approval.
Windmill Pub, Ormskirk
McComb Property, an Ormskirk developer, has submitted two applications relating to the former pub in Derby Road, both of which would result in more student accommodation.
Only one application is likely to get approval, though, with the planning officer recommending allowing the pub to be converted, but arguing that building an extension on the former bowling green should be rejected.
Burscough Street, Ormskirk
Always a contentious issue, the prospect of houses being replaced by student accommodation will again feature at the committee meeting.
The properties concerned are at 198 and 200, Burscough Street, and separate developers have plans in store for the respective site.
At No 200, which has already been converted to a HMO, owner Ormskirk Lettings is seeking permission to reconfigure the building to allow one further student to live there.
The proposal involves converting a one-bedroom flat to two studio flats and is likely to be approved.
But a more radical plan to demolish neighbouring No 198 and replace it with a block of student accommodation has been earmarked for rejection.
The planning committee meeting is open to the public and takes place at 7pm, at West Lancashire Borough Council chambers, in Derby Street, Ormskirk.