Welcome for new blueprint for future
THE official end of West Lancashire Borough Council’s ambitions to implement a 30-year Local Plan has been welcomed by Our West Lancashire (OWL).
The council had wanted to pass a Local Plan which outlines what and where residential and industrial developments can be permitted in the borough - that would have been double the traditional time span, arguing it would give more power over developers.
It would have meant thousands of homes being built and was said to support the case for a train station in Skelmersdale.
A consultation was launched in August last year, but faced forceful opposition from residents and was dropped in May, triggering the resignations of various high-profile members of the Labour group.
Now, the council’s cabinet has officially agreed to axe the 30-year proposals and will instead start from scratch with a new 15-year plan.
Rival group OWL had raised strong opposition to the proposals from an early stage and welcomed the decision.
Cllr Adrian Owens, the independent group’s leader, said: “This is the step we have been calling for and so we warmly welcome it. This lifts a massive cloud from over the heads of tens of thousands of local residents.
“Residents had responded to the consultation in record numbers and they are the people I feel delighted for.
“The fundamental direction of the previous proposals was always misplaced.
“Starting the process again gives us a chance to ensure West Lancashire plays its part locally in addressing climate change and other environmental matters.”
Cllr Ian Rigby said: “This is the best possible news for residents of my ward. Going back to the drawing board gives the council the opportunity to adopt a more inclusive approach to the process.
“I hope that they involve more fully the community and a greater number of councillors in drawing up proposals that suit our predominantly rural borough.”
Cllr Dave Evans, who took over the portfolio for planning in May, said the decision was a result of councillors listening to residents and stated the new 15-year plan will be designed to have an impact beyond that time frame.
He said: “The current plan expires in 2027 and was written at a time when the effects of climate change were only just beginning to be recognised by government. Now we are only too aware that our planet is changing for the worse and that we must be setting targets at all levels of government to cut our carbon footprint.
“We need to be looking at measures such as solar panels on all new-build sites, and sites for solar, wind and tidal power generation. Food production is also becoming increasingly important and we want to protect farming in West Lancashire, which has one of the highest concentrations of Grade A agricultural land in the country.
“We also need to ensure our urban areas are able to develop properly, particularly in Skelmersdale.” ● WHAT do you think? Please email our Letters page at: seftoncommunities@trinitymirror.com or message us via the Visiter page on Facebook.