'There are so many birds and deer in area' Public meeting to discuss plans for homes on Lancashire farmland

A public meeting will be held tonight (Thursday) after plan for new homes in a West Lancashire village has sparked 100 objections – amidst wider concerns about house-building pressures on farmland.

The application is for 80 homes on land off Ring O’ Bells Lane at Lathom, next to the Leeds and Liverpool Canal. The site has been associated with a nursery over the years.

Developers say the housing plan is acceptable but objectors’ worries include the potential impact on local health services, schools, roads and wildlife. West Lancashire Council will consider the plan in coming weeks.

Separately, a different plan for over 100 homes was recently narrowly approved for farmland at Aughton near Ormskirk. And other housing applications for West Lancashire farmland have been received or are expected, councillors have said.

Regarding the Lathom plan, various objectors have written to the council including Karen Hannon.

She said: “There are a myriad of reasons why this should be rejected. It is greenbelt and agriculture land, the local infrastructure is not available or is struggling, and this would also have a detrimental impact on wildlife

“The amount of traffic is already at breaking-point and would increase, causing more accidents and chaos. There would also be a loss to the quality of life for local people and those who visit the area for its scenic, rural countryside. Please reject this preposterous application.”

Dr Siobhan Kilbride has worries including a ‘deficit’ in local amenities. She said: “Local GP surgeries, dentists and schools are already over-subscribed and residents face extreme difficulty securing appointments and school places. Also, the local hospital [A&E services] are scheduled to be moved from Ormskirk to Southport.

“Also there is a distinct lack of local shops and basic amenities within reasonable walking distance, meaning new residents will be entirely car-dependent, further clogging our neglected roads. This will also further-destroy the peace and calm of the canal.”

Raymond Park, also from Lathom, said: “There will be a substantial increase in traffic, with the junction of Briars Lane and Ring O Bells Lane being particularly busy and hazardous at present. Also, Lathom has no village centre so there are few facilities and very limited public transport.”

Ben Johnson, also of Lathom, said: “The junction is already at breaking-point, particularly at rush hour times.”

Ormskirk resident Shirley Taylor also objects and said: “This is a rural area and it is being changed into something else. This is detrimental to local people and wildlife, which depends on green space for survival.

“We should not build on farmland or green spaces. Brownfield land should be used. We are giving away precious land that should be there for future generations to share with wildlife. We cannot keep taking from nature without a serious cost.”

And Samantha Price, from Burscough, said: “This cannot happen. It will have a huge detriment to the area and to wildlife. There are so many birds and deer in the area.”

However, Ryan Parkinson, from Leyland, says he neither objects nor supports the plan. But he said: ” Please ensure a thorough archaeological survey is carried out. The area is close to the Roman fort in Burscough, adjoining ancient roads and iron age settlements at Moss Bridge Lane.

“Once land is built on, we lose opportunities for archaeology and understanding what happened in the past, when Martin Mere was not drained and ancient tribes roamed the area.”

However, applicant Alston Properties, working with PWA Planning in Preston, says the plan is acceptable. They have submitted various reports including a landscape appraisal.

The appraisal says: “Initially, there will be some minor, indirect impacts during construction on the landscape character immediately next to the site. However, the construction effects would be temporary.

“Mitigation planting will help enhance the site, which will mature over 15 years. Visual effects during construction would be temporary and generally most noticeable closest to the site. And planting along the north-eastern boundary, along the canal, will mature.

“Moderate visual effects would be experienced by some residents immediately nearby, by people using the long-distance footpath and by cyclists passing closely. But for all other people viewing from a greater distance, the effect from the construction phase would be minor to negligible.

“We have also assessed the landscape-led proposals of up to 80 properties. Through managing the existing boundary vegetation, this plan seeks to enhance the bio-diversity and extra internal planting will create new habitats.

“The site was previously characterised by grass, tracks and a storage building with the nursery site. This plan, however, has a comprehensive planting scheme and would bring a bio-diversity gain.”

A public meeting about the application is due at Lathom Scout Hut, Hall Lane, this Thursday, July 9, at 7pm.