80-home plan on Lancashire Green Belt land progresses

The outline application, submitted by Alston Properties Ltd, seeks permission to demolish an existing barn and build up to 80 homes on land off Ring O' Bells Lane in Lathom.

Half of the homes would be affordable housing.

Proposed site design (Image: WLBC)

The proposed development would be built on a 2.94-hectare site and include public open space, a play area, sustainable drainage features, and a new access road.

Planning documents submitted with the application argue the site is suitable for development, describing it as a logical extension of the existing settlement and contending that it should be considered "grey belt" land despite its Green Belt designation.

The site also contains around 2.6 hectares of Grade 1 agricultural land, classified as "best and most versatile" farmland.

Nearly 100 objections have been lodged with West Lancashire Borough Council since the application was submitted.

One of the most common concerns raised by residents relates to traffic.

One objector said the development would have a "substantial negative impact on an already busy stretch of road", adding:

"This area is on my commute and frequently has traffic backing up."

View from Ring O'Bells Lane (Image: Google)

The same resident also raised concerns about wildlife, saying:

"This is also a green space, which will be home to a vast range of different species, and removing this space will have a huge negative impact on local wildlife."

Others argued the development would place further pressure on an already congested road network.

One resident said: "The surrounding road network is already operating at or beyond capacity."

They added that the additional traffic generated by around 80 homes would "significantly worsen congestion" and put further strain on local roads.

A number of objections focus on the site's Green Belt status.

One resident described the proposal as "inappropriate development within the Green Belt" and said it would result in the "permanent loss of open countryside."

The same objector questioned whether the development could be considered sustainable, arguing that future residents would be heavily reliant on private vehicles.

Several residents have also raised concerns about local infrastructure, including schools, healthcare services, and drainage capacity.

One objection states that there is "little evidence that sufficient capacity exists" to cope with the development of this scale.

Others say the development would permanently alter the character of the area.

One resident wrote: "The scale of the development is incompatible with the character of the local area, which is primarily rural and village-like."

They added that building on the land would "irreversibly change the landscape and reduce much-needed green buffer zones."

The objector also highlighted the site's proximity to the Ring O' Bells pub, saying:

"The historical and cultural significance of The Ring O' Bells pub and its surroundings should be preserved."

Another resident pointed to congestion around the nearby roundabout and petrol filling station, describing the junction as a "significant pinch point" where vehicles regularly queue onto surrounding roads.

Planning documents submitted by the applicant state that the site has access to bus services, railway stations, and local amenities, while technical reports conclude there are no overriding highways, flood risk, ecological, or heritage constraints that would prevent development, subject to mitigation measures.

If approved, the development would provide 40 market homes and 40 affordable homes.