West Lancs council asked to reconsider flats proposal for Coronation Park in Ormskirk by planning committee

Oct 11 2012 by Rob Pattinson, Ormskirk Advertiser

COUNCIL plans to build a two-storey block of one-bed flats in Coronation Park were deferred by the planning committee – with the authority asked to come back with a “more suitable application”.

West Lancs council wanted to build the four-apartment block on land it owns to the north of 41 Park Avenue, that currently includes a 14-space car park used by residents and park users. The proposal included plans to provide a replacement 20-space car park further away on land at the end of Park Avenue.

Park Avenue resident Peter Morana spoke against the plans at a meeting of the planning committee last Thursday, citing issues of road safety and access among others, while a total of 12 neighbours had objected to the plans, with concerns over increased traffic, loss of views and the impact of further building work.

Officers had recommended the decision to grant permission be delegated to the borough planner subject to a string of conditions.

Cllr Rob Bailey wanted to refuse the plans, saying it was “the only piece of green space in the middle of Ormskirk and I want to protect it”. However council officer Cath Thomas said that the land was allocated for development in the local plan, and in terms of visual amenity was compliant with council standards.

But in the end the plans were deferred, after Cllr David O’Toole suggested asking the council to reconsider the location of the building and the replacement car park.

He said: “Why does [the block of flats] have to be near the small houses on Park Avenue which will be overshadowed. Why don’t we change the plan around?”