The Planning Members Updates of West Lancashire Council met to review recent activity. This included a summary of planning decisions made under delegated authority, updates on planning appeals, and recent decisions.

Planning Decisions Made Under Delegated Authority

Between 16 August 2025 and 5 September 2025, a number of planning applications were determined under delegated authority. These decisions were made by officers, rather than by the planning committee.

Some of the applications that were determined included:

• 166 Prescot Road in Aughton, for the retrospective construction of an outbuilding in the rear garden. Mr Dominic Mears's application was granted.
• Goores Farm on Narrow Lane in Clieves Hills, Aughton, for the retrospective formation of a raised bund¹ to create a new farm yard and alterations to the existing access. Mr Roy Prescott's application was granted.
• Land west of New Lane in Burscough, for planning in principle for up to one dwellinghouse. Mr J Gibbons's application was refused.
• Hazeldene, on Blythe Lane in Lathom, for the demolition of existing stables and outbuildings followed by the erection of a single dwelling, designed and constructed as a self-build, together with associated external works and landscaping. Mr & Mrs M Webster's application was refused.
• Land off Spark Lane in Rufford, for a proposed new dwelling in place of three storage buildings. Mr Alan Dalton's application was withdrawn.
• Danshaven, on Back Moss Lane in Burscough, for a Lawful Development Certificate² for a proposed change of use from dwellinghouse to children's home (one child). Mr Lee Houghton's application was not permitted.
• 10 Canal View Drive in Burscough, for a Certificate of Lawfulness for a proposed loft conversion with double hip to gable and rear dormer, and garage conversion. Ms Ruth Hite's application was permitted.
• Rowan, on Holmeswood Road in Rufford, for a Lawful Development Certificate for a proposed rear dormer including a hip to gable roof extension and a single storey side extension. Mr Michael Hanlon's application was permitted.
• Burscough Bridge Railway Station, on Station Approach in Burscough, for a Lawful Development Certificate to replace two existing screens with newer models in new locations, and to install four new LLPA³ speakers. Mr Jacob Lamb's application was permitted.
• 241 Windrows in Skelmersdale, for a change of use to a residential care home for three children between ages 5-16 (use class C2⁴) and a single storey rear conservatory. Mr Babatunde Oluwafemi Adeyemi's application was refused.
• 68 St Helens Road in Ormskirk, for a rear extension and alterations to the existing dwelling. Mr and Mrs Appleton's application was granted.
• 6 Weldon Drive in Ormskirk, for a certificate of lawfulness for the proposed construction of a timber shed in a private rear garden. Neil Smith's application was withdrawn.
• Regis, 3 Moorgate in Ormskirk, to convert the single storey rear outrigger into a student studio flat. Mr Paul McComb's application was refused.
• 145 Grimshaw Lane in Ormskirk, for a proposed extended dropped kerb and street light moving. Mr Martin Charlton's application was granted.
• 34 Moor Street in Ormskirk, for a change of use of a section of the ground floor into a licensed premises, part demolition to form a beer garden, and retention of Class E⁵ usage to part of the ground floor with the upper floor becoming serviced offices. Mr Paul McComb's application was granted.
• Little Hall Farm, 52 Cottage Lane in Ormskirk, for determination as to whether prior approval of details is required for a Class Q⁶ change of use to a dwelling from an agricultural building, and for building works necessary to convert the building. Mr Richard Rothwell's application's prior approval details were refused.
• Christ Church, on Parbold Hill in Parbold, for a change of use from spare land in church grounds into land for burial plots. Mr Derek Ashcroft's application was granted.
• Higher Barn Farmhouse, on High Moor Lane in Wrightington, for the installation of a Midea 14kw R290 Monobloc Air Source Heat Pump to replace the current LPG heating boiler on the north elevation of outbuilding and boiler room. Mr Clifford Bradshaw's application was granted.
• May Cottages, on Back Lane in Newburgh, for a change of use of an existing garage and workshop to a single dwellinghouse. Mr & Mrs Hughes's application was refused.
• Higher Barn Farmhouse, on High Moor Lane in Wrightington, for Listed Building Consent⁷ for the installation of a Midea 14 kW R290 Monobloc Air Source Heat Pump to replace the current LPG Heating Boiler. Mr Clifford Bradshaw's application was granted.
• Parbold Railway Station, on Station Road in Parbold, for a Lawful Development Certificate to replace two CIS Displays and install one new display in the Booking Hall, and to install four new LLPA speakers. Mr Jacob Lamb's application was permitted.
• Lane Farm, on Mossy Lea Road in Wrightington, for determination as to whether Prior Approval is required for details for an agricultural building for the storage of hay, sileage and machinery. Prescott's application received Prior Notification for Agriculture and Demolition Permitted Development.
• Sunny Mount, on Broadhurst Lane in Wrightington, for determination as to whether Prior Approval is required for details for the erection of an agricultural storage building. Mr Neil Andrews's application's prior approval details were refused.
• Mayfield, 1 Tears Lane in Newburgh, for determination as to whether prior approval of details is required for an extension of dwellinghouse. Mr & Mrs Duff's application did not require Prior Approval. > Extension extends beyond the rear wall of the original dwellinghouse - by 4.50m > Maximum height of the extension - 3.93m > Height of the eaves of the extension - 2.60m
• 87 And 89 Ruff Lane in Ormskirk, for the construction of a new dwelling including landscaping, infrastructure and access works following demolition of the existing properties. Mr and Mrs J and A N Waddington's application was granted.
• 20 Merdale Way in Lathom, for a Certificate of Lawfulness for the proposed laying of concrete foundations for the garden pod and construction of the garden pod itself. Mrs Amy Sumner's application was permitted.
• Land adjacent to 82 Smithy Lane in Aughton, for determination as to whether prior approval of details is required for a change of use from agricultural buildings to five residential dwellings and for building works necessary to convert the building. Mr Crompton's application's prior approval details were refused.
• Mickering Cottage, on Mickering Lane in Aughton, for a Certificate of Lawfulness for an entrance porch, ground floor side and rear flat roof extensions and first floor rear extension, a proposed loft extension / conversion, remodelling of existing dwelling, a proposed axillary garden outbuilding and remodelled external works. Mr Stuart MacFarlane's application was split, with some parts refused and some granted.
• 122 Liverpool Road in Skelmersdale, for Lawful Development for the demolition of part of an existing single storey rear extension and internal layout changes to ground & first floor. Mr & Mrs Dove's application was permitted.
• Coal Pit Lane Farm, on Coal Pit Lane in Bickerstaffe, for a Certificate of Lawfulness for a proposed change of use from dwelling house to house of occupation for up to five young people up to the age of 18 years. Mrs J Collings's application was not permitted.
• 69 Renacres Lane in Halsall, for part retrospective front and rear dormers and a new front porch. Mr Jay Wall's application was granted.
• 36 Bescar Brow Lane in Scarisbrick, for the erection of a porch to the front elevation, three square bays to windows, windows to the side elevation, and conversation of garage to bedroom (retrospective). Mr & Mrs Spencer Kelly's application was granted.
• White House Farm, on Morris Lane in Halsall, for determination as to whether Prior Approval is required for details for the erection of an agricultural store. Mrs Angela Molyneux's application received Prior Notification for Agriculture and Demolition Permitted Development.
• 43 Vines Cross Way in Skelmersdale, for a single storey rear extension extending 3.5m, of timber construction, cladded in composite boards, with a slight pitched roof with asphalt shingles (retrospective). Mr Harry Mitchell's application was refused.
• 14 Hazel Lane in Ashurst, Skelmersdale, for a single storey side extension to an existing garage, a single storey rear extension along with a new parking bay and enhanced elevational treatments to the front elevation. Mr Janis Gertmanis's application was granted.
• 3 Crossfield Road in Skelmersdale, for a proposed two storey rear, part single storey rear, front kitchen and porch extension, with retrospective garage conversion, including an extended hardstanding and dropped kerb access to create extra parking provision to the front. Mr Kenneth Saving's application was granted.
• Lancashire Fire And Rescue Service, Fire Station, on Tanhouse Road in Tanhouse, Skelmersdale, for the replacement of curtain walling and window frames. Mr Andrew Bibby's application was granted.
• Westmorland House, on Doctors Lane in Sollom, Tarleton, for a proposed single storey front extension, two-storey side, front and rear extensions, with associated internal remodelling and external works. Susan Baybutt's application was granted.
• 14 Highgate Road in Up Holland, for a proposed double storey side extension and front porch. Mrs Carla Thomas's application was granted.
• Potter House Vets, 46 Ormskirk Road in Up Holland, for the siting of two storage containers (part retrospective). Mr Elliot Kirwan's application was granted.

Planning Appeals

The Planning Committee Members Update also included details of planning appeals lodged and decided between 16 August 2025 and 5 September 2025.

Planning Appeals Lodged

Two appeals were lodged:

• Romney Building, Shaws Farm, 28 Wyke Lane in Scarisbrick, for determination as to whether prior approval of details is required for a Class Q⁶ conversion of an agricultural building to a dwelling house with associated work. Mr Simon Cruickshanks lodged an appeal, which will be determined through written representations.
• 2 Pear Tree Mews in Lathom, for a single storey rear extension with a parapet fibre glass roof with stone capping and raised lantern style roof with no glazing. Mr John Turner lodged an appeal, which will be determined through written representations.

Planning Appeals Decided

One appeal was decided:

• Malt Kiln Barn, on Halsall Road in Halsall, for the demolition of a non-listed dwellinghouse and ancillary barn, and the erection of one five-bed self-build dwellinghouse with associated landscaping. Mr Quinn's appeal was dismissed on 1 September 2025. > A full copy of the appeal decision letters are available online at www.westlancs.gov.uk/planning or alternatively from the Planning Support Team on 01695 585239.