The West Lancashire Council Planning Members Updates included a review of planning decisions made under delegated authority, updates on planning appeals, and enforcement notices served. This was not an official meeting, but rather a collection of updates for planning committee members.

Planning Decisions Made Under Delegated Authority

Between 4 July 2025 and 15 August 2025, a number of planning applications were determined under the delegated system. These decisions, made by planning officers rather than the planning committee, covered a range of developments across various wards.

Some of the applications that were granted included:

• 60 Swanpool Lane [https://www.google.com/maps/search/Swanpool+Lane+Aughton+West+Lancashire/], Aughton: A two-story rear extension with roof alterations.
• 62 Liverpool Road [https://www.google.com/maps/search/Liverpool+Road+Aughton+West+Lancashire/], Aughton: Retrospective construction of a new driveway and landscaping.
• Willows, 30 Long Lane [https://www.google.com/maps/search/Long+Lane+Aughton+West+Lancashire/], Aughton: Replacement dwelling (revised proposal, part retrospective).
• Avondale Nurseries, Spa Lane [https://www.google.com/maps/search/Spa+Lane+Lathom+West+Lancashire/], Lathom: A 400MWh Battery Energy Storage System and associated works.
• Land Adj To 2 Ringtail Court, Burscough Industrial Estate [https://www.google.com/maps/search/Ringtail+Court+Burscough+Industrial+Estate+West+Lancashire/], Burscough: A new building with four indoor padel tennis courts[^2]. [^2]: Padel tennis is a racket sport that combines elements of tennis, squash, and badminton.
• The Ship Inn, 4 Wheat Lane [https://www.google.com/maps/search/Wheat+Lane+Lathom+West+Lancashire/], Lathom: Retrospective application for wastewater drainage remedial and improvement works.
• Hesfords, Moorgate [https://www.google.com/maps/search/Moorgate+Ormskirk+West+Lancashire/], Ormskirk: Erection of 3 dwelling houses and 3 commercial units.
• Land South Of, Hall Lane [https://www.google.com/maps/search/Hall+Lane+Wrightington+West+Lancashire/], Wrightington: Erection of a slurry store.
• 86 New Street [https://www.google.com/maps/search/New+Street+Halsall+West+Lancashire/], Halsall: Partial ground floor reconfiguration, single storey rear and side extensions, front enclosed porch, and general landscaping works.
• Graylaw Freight Group Ltd, Gillibrands Road [https://www.google.com/maps/search/Gillibrands+Road+Skelmersdale+West+Lancashire/], Skelmersdale: 2 storey office extension to new warehouse and alterations to proposed car park.

Some applications were refused, including:

• Pancheree, Formby Lane [https://www.google.com/maps/search/Formby+Lane+Aughton+West+Lancashire/], Aughton: Partial demolition of garage/gym to retain garage to enable retention of plant and services within this portion of the development; Variation of a condition relating to demolition.
• 1 Square House Lane [https://www.google.com/maps/search/Square+House+Lane+Banks+West+Lancashire/], Banks: Retrospective conversion of existing detached workshop to habitable space, to be used by elderly relative already living at the property.
• Lees Lane Nurseries, Lees Lane [https://www.google.com/maps/search/Lees+Lane+Dalton+West+Lancashire/], Dalton: Removal of a condition & variation of a condition relating to use & access.

One application was withdrawn:

• Land To The Rear Of 126-160, Ormskirk Road [https://www.google.com/maps/search/Ormskirk+Road+Up+Holland+West+Lancashire/], Up Holland: Variation of a condition in relation to plans.

Planning Appeals

The Planning Committee received updates on planning appeals lodged and decided between 4 July 2025 and 15 August 2025.

Two appeals had been lodged:

• Oak Cottage, Lowry Hill Lane [https://www.google.com/maps/search/Lowry+Hill+Lane+Lathom+West+Lancashire/], Lathom: Against the construction of a single storey rear extension, first floor extension and side facing porch following demolition of the existing porch.
• The procedure for this appeal was via written representations.

Two appeals were decided:

• Springfield Farm, Boundary Meanygate [https://www.google.com/maps/search/Boundary+Meanygate+Hesketh+Bank+West+Lancashire/], Hesketh Bank: Against a single storey extension to rear of existing detached bungalow. The appeal was dismissed on 1 August 2025.
• 10 Briars Green [https://www.google.com/maps/search/Briars+Green+Skelmersdale+West+Lancashire/], Skelmersdale: Against the proposed change of use of dwelling to residential care home. The appeal was dismissed on 13 August 2025.

Applications for Works to TPO Trees Determined Under The Delegated System

The council considered applications for work on trees protected by Tree Preservation Orders¹ (TPOs). Two applications were determined:

• Cleve House, The Delph [https://www.google.com/maps/search/The+Delph+Parbold+West+Lancashire/], Parbold: Consent was granted, subject to conditions, for the removal of 3 birch trees, one conifer and another conifer.
• Land North Of 7, The Vale [https://www.google.com/maps/search/The+Vale+Appley+Bridge+West+Lancashire/], Appley Bridge: Consent was granted, subject to conditions, for the felling of an oak tree.

Enforcement Notices Served

During the specified period, one enforcement notice was served:

• Land Rear Of Wheelright Cottage, Surgery Farm, Holmeswood Road [https://www.google.com/maps/search/Holmeswood+Road+Rufford+West+Lancashire/], Rufford: The notice, served on 6 August 2025, related to the building of a workshop and the siting of metal shipping containers on agricultural land without planning permission.