West Lancashire planners set to decide on resubmitted bid for 80 homes development in Up Holland

Sep 6 2012 by Rob Pattinson, Skelmersdale Advertiser

RESUBMITTED plans for an 80-home development in Chequer Lane will go back before planners tonight (Thursday).

A previous application from Wainhomes for the Up Holland site was rejected by the planning committee – against officers’ recommendations – in May. The developer lodged an appeal against the decision, to be heard in November, but has resubmitted the plans for the scheme, which includes 30% affordable housing.

The initial application was refused on the grounds that the application was premature and not in accordance with existing policies.

But with the Local Plan document having reached publication stage, and including the Chequer Lane site, it could now be seen to hold more weight.

Lancashire County Council expressed concerns over noise from the nearby quarry and 10 letters of objection were submitted by neighbouring properties, citing loss of Green Belt, no difference from the previous rejected application, traffic, parking, and environmental concerns.

Planning officers have recommended the decision to grant permission be delegated to the borough planner subject to a series of conditions.

Allison McIntosh, who will speak against the plans at the meeting, said: “The reasons used to refuse the last application still stand. “Nothing material has changed, it’s still an unsuitable site and Lancashire County Council are now objecting too.

“The Local Plan is still emerging and won’t be in place until 2013. The committee were right to refuse it last time and we will be looking for the council to put up a robust defence.”

West Lancashire MP Rosie Cooper said: “It is clear the company wanting to develop this site is going to pursue this application very aggressively. However, I have been working with Chequer Lane residents over many months.

“Time and again, residents have demonstrated the strength of their opposition to these plans.

“I hope that the councillors on the planning committee will listen to and represent the residents’ views and concerns.”