Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence received.

To be apprised of any changes to the membership of the Committee in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 4.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 4, the Committee noted the termination of membership of Councillor A Fowler, and the appointment of Councillor Y Gagen for this meeting only, thereby giving effect to the wishes of the political groups.

Note: No other business is permitted unless, by reason of special circumstances, which shall be specified at the meeting, the Chairman is of the opinion that the item(s) should be considered as a matter of urgency.

There were no urgent items of business received.

If a member requires advice on Declarations of Interest, he/she is advised to contact the Legal and Democratic Services Manager in advance of the meeting. (For the assistance of members a checklist for use in considering their position on any particular item is included at the end of this agenda sheet.)

Councillor L Webster declared a pecuniary interest in relation to agenda item 7a -2023/0925/FUL, relating to Land Adjacent M58, Moss Lane, Skelmersdale, WN8 9TJ, and therefore took no part in the decision-making process and left the meeting whilst Members considered the application.

Councillor J Abbott declared a pecuniary interest in relation to agenda item 7c - 2024/0414/FUL, relating to Land at Lancashire Wildlife Trust, Visitor Centre, Mere Sands Wood Nature Reserve, Holmeswood Road, Rufford, L40 1TG, as she is a member of the Lancashire Wildlife Trust, and therefore took no part in the decision-making process and left the meeting whilst Members considered the application.

Party Whips are not to be used by this Committee in respect of its functions concerning the determination of applications, approval of consents, the taking of enforcement action and the exercise of powers and duties with regard to highways, hedgerows, the preservation of trees and high hedge complaints. When considering any other matter which relates to a decision of the Cabinet or the performance of any member of the Cabinet, in accordance with Regulatory Committee Procedure 9, Members must declare the existence of any party whip, and the nature of it.

There were no declarations of party whip.

To receive as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on the 21^st November

2024.                                          .

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 21 November 2024 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To consider the report of the Assistant Director of Planning & Regulatory Services.

Consideration was given to the report of the Assistant Director of Planning & Regulatory Services as contained on pages 11 to 74 of the Book of Reports, and on pages 81 to 88 of the Late Information Pack.

Notes:

1. Ms Samantha Birch, representing Mrs Debbie Birch, spoke in connection with planning application 2023/0925/FUL, relating to Land Adjacent M58, Moss Lane, Skelmersdale, WN8 9TJ.

2. The Agent Mr David Smith spoke in connection with planning application 2023/0925/FUL, relating to Land Adjacent M58, Moss Lane, Skelmersdale, WN8 9TJ.

3. Ward Councillors D Whittington and K Juckes both spoke in connection with planning application 2023/1031/FUL, relating to White Lion Inn, 117 Mossy Lea Road, Wrightington, WN6 9RE.

The Assistant Director of Planning & Regulatory Services submitted a report on planning application 2023/0925/FUL – relating to Land Adjacent M58, Moss Lane, Skelmersdale.

RESOLVED: That planning application 2023/0925/FUL be granted subject to conditions and a legal agreement.

The Assistant Director of Planning & Regulatory Services submitted a report on planning application 2023/1031/FUL – relating to White Lion Inn, Mossy Lea Road, Wrightington.

RESOLVED: That planning application 2023/1031/FUL be granted subject to conditions set out at section 12 of the report, and as amended within late information dated 04/12/24.

The Assistant Director of Planning & Regulatory Services submitted a report on planning application 2024/0414/FUL – relating to Land at Lancashire Wildlife Trust, Visitor Centre, Mere Sands Wood Nature Reserve, Holmeswood Road, Rufford, L40 1TG.

RESOLVED: That planning application 2024/0414/FUL be approved subject to conditions.

Consideration was given to the report of the Assistant Director of Planning and Regulatory Services, as contained on pages 75 to 78 of the Book of Reports. The report sought to provide Members with an overview of West Lancashire Borough Council’s (WLBC) performance against government criteria on planning decision speed and quality. It reviewed WLBC’s performance over the past two years and included the latest quarterly results, with a commitment to provide quarterly updates going forward.

RESOLVED: That Members note the report and WLBC’s positive performance against national planning standards, with an ongoing commitment to quarterly updates on decision speed and quality to monitor and maintain this trajectory.