Aughton group against green belt development disappointed by parish council response

Oct 18 2012 by Rob Pattinson, Ormskirk Advertiser

AUGHTON residents against plans for Green Belt release in the Local Plan spoke of their disappointment with the parish council’s “lack of support” over the issue.

The fields at the top end of Parrs Lane are set aside for the development of up to 200 houses as one of the Plan B sites in West Lancs council’s Local Plan Publication Document that could be released in 2017 or 2022 if Plan A sites do not meet housing delivery targets.

Aughton Residents Group submitted representations against the plans before the October 5 deadline on the grounds that there has been a failure to properly consult, that there are no new exceptional circumstances for the removal of Green Belt in Aughton as well as infrastructure concerns. But the group had also sought a commitment from Aughton Parish Council to make representations to the planning inspector, who will have the final say on the document.

The parish council agreed to make a representation stating the Local Plan was not legally compliant. But the group said they felt “let down” with the lack of detail and evidence submitted by the parish council to support the representation. Despite this, the group has vowed to continue its own battle against the proposals.

Colin Atkinson, from the group said members were planning to attend the full council meeting last night where any concerns on the back of representations submitted were due to be discussed before the document was rubber-stamped.

And he said: “The plan is to do more leafleting, get more people involved with the group so that as and when the examination by the government inspector takes place we have a very solid core base to work off.”

Aughton Parish Council chair Cllr Una Atherley declined to comment.