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       Patel, and the appointment of Councillor Devine 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 J Abbott declared a pecuniary interest in relation to agenda item 7a -2024/0471/FUL relating to the Car park adjacent to The Slipway PH, 48 Crabtree Lane, Burscough, L40 0RN and agenda item 7b - 2024/0786/FUL, relating to The Slipway PH, 48 Crabtree Lane, Burscough, L40 0RN, 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 13 February 2025.

RESOLVED:          That the minutes of the meeting held on the 13 February 2025 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 5 to 76 of the Book of Reports and page 79 to 80 of the Late Information Report.

Notes:

1.       Ms Yvonne Price spoke in connection with planning application 2024/0471/FUL relating to the Car park adjacent to The Slipway PH, 48 Crabtree Lane, Burscough, L40 0RN.

2.       The Agent, Mr Jonathon Pritchard spoke in connection with planning application 2024/0471/FUL relating to the Car park adjacent to The Slipway PH, 48 Crabtree Lane, Burscough, L40 0RN.

3.       Ward Councillor Paul Hesketh spoke in connection with planning application 2024/0471/FUL relating to the Car park adjacent to The Slipway PH, 48 Crabtree Lane, Burscough, L40 0RN.

4.       The Agent, Mr Peter Dickinson spoke in connection with planning application 2024/0932/FUL relating to Land Adjacent To 19 Chorley Road, Hilldale, WN8 7AN

The Assistant Director of Planning & Regulatory Services submitted a report on planning application 2024/0471/FUL relating to the Car park adjacent to The Slipway PH, 48 Crabtree Lane, Burscough, L40 0RN.

RESOLVED:That planning application 2024/0471/FUL be refused as per the recommendation set out in report.

The Assistant Director of Planning & Regulatory Services submitted a report on planning application 2024/0786/FUL relating to The Slipway PH, 48 Crabtree Lane, Burscough, L40 0RN.

RESOLVED:That planning application 2024/0786/FUL be deferred at the request of Officers for the reasons set out in the Late Information.

The Assistant Director of Planning & Regulatory Services submitted a report on planning application 2024/1091/FUL relating to Land Adjacent to Cedars Boundary Meanygate Hesketh Bank.

RESOLVED:That planning application 2024/1091/FUL be approved subject to conditions as set out in the report.

The Assistant Director of Planning & Regulatory Services submitted a report on planning application 2024/0932/FUL relating to Land Adjacent To 19 Chorley Road, Hilldale, WN8 7AN.

RESOLVED:That planning application 2024/0932/FUL be deferred for a site visit at the request of Members.

Consideration was given to the report of the Assistant Director of Planning and Regulatory Services, as contained on pages 73 to 76, which provided an overview of West Lancashire Borough Council’s (WLBC) performance against government criteria on planning decision speed and quality. It reviews WLBC’s performance over the past two years, and includes 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.

Members of the Committee thanked Officers for their continued hard work.