Burscough campaigner wants tio start action group against council’s local plan

Jan 19 2012 by Michael Byrne, Ormskirk Advertiser

A BURSCOUGH campaigner is calling on people to help form an action group over proposals to build hundreds of new homes in the village.

Gill Bjork, who organised a petition against plans in West Lancashire Council’s Local Plan to build 500 homes on land off Higgins Lane, joined other residents in complaining that Last Tuesday’s consultation forum was not representative of Burscough.

She said: “The forum did not represent the local community as a whole. We have another opportunity to speak to the planning team at Burscough Wharf this Saturday between 10am and 4pm and I would encourage everyone to attend. I for one will continue to fight this development until they do. Anyone interested in forming an Action group can contact me at gill.bjork@talktalk.net”

Resident Stephen McCloskey said: “I thought the consultation forum was completely choreographed and little more than a fix. The majority of opinions expressed by residents were negative, and yet the summaries officers made were unduly positive. It was as if they were hearing only what they want to hear.”

Fellow resident Gavin Rattray added: “It was clear from the planners’ conduct and responses that their remit was to pay lip service to objections and gather information to support the Burscough development.”

A West Lancashire Council spokesman said: “Great effort has been made in constructing a genuine consultation.

“The council is hosting a number of exhibitions and forums, where residents can talk with officers. The events are run in a fair and constructive manner and numbers are limited so residents have a real opportunity to discuss their opinions with officers.

“We chose to limit the Burscough event to 70 people so that those present all had opportunity to have their say. The limit is one of the reasons we are holding a number of events throughout the consultation. We would like to reassure residents that their views and responses to the consultation are an important part of the process and hold equal weight to that of other stakeholder groups. All the comments will be considered before final decisions are made. We are in the process of organising another forum in the area for people who could not attend previously. For further information please contact the planning team on 01695 585171.

“For more information on ways to have your say on the draft Local Plan, please visit www.westlancs.gov.uk/localplan or call the team on 01695 585171.”