Plans for up to 50 homes in Lancashire village spark concern

Crompton Property Development Ltd has submitted a screening opinion request to West Lancashire Borough Council for a residential development on land north of Parrs Lane.

The developer is seeking a ruling on whether a full Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) will be required before a planning application is submitted.

The proposed site boundaries (Image: WLBC)

Aughton has become one of Lancashire's best-known villages in recent years thanks to its remarkable concentration of Michelin-starred restaurants.

The village is home to four Michelin stars across Moor Hall, The Barn at Moor Hall and Solo, earning it a reputation as the UK's Michelin-star capital.

The proposal relates to a site of around 1.8 hectares and could deliver up to 50 homes.

A draft layout submitted with the request shows 47 dwellings together with access, parking, landscaping, and open space.

The request follows an earlier screening opinion in which the council concluded that an Environmental Statement would be required.

However, the developer argues the scheme is not of a scale likely to result in significant environmental effects.

In a submission to the council, the Aughton Residents Group (ARG) said it strongly objected to the proposal, citing concerns about the cumulative effect of housing growth in the area.

Group chair Colin Atkinson said the development could add to what he described as "already present sometimes chaotic traffic problems" around Parrs Lane and Prescot Road.

Parr's Lane, Aughton (Image: WLBC)

The group argued that the proposed homes should be viewed alongside several other residential schemes in and around Aughton and Ormskirk, including a recently approved 122-home development off Prescot Road and larger schemes that have entered the planning process.

In its objection, ARG pointed to proposals for up to 350 homes northwest of Prescot Road, up to 360 homes north of New Lane, and a previously consulted-on scheme for up to 500 homes at Little Moor Hall Gardens.

The group also raised concerns over development on Green Belt and the best and most versatile agricultural land.

Planning documents submitted on behalf of the developer state that many of the larger schemes referenced by objectors have not yet progressed beyond screening or scoping stages and may never come forward.

The applicant argues that cumulative impacts should be assessed against developments that are existing or approved developments rather than purely speculative proposals.

Environmental reports submitted with the request suggest there are no major constraints that would prevent the development of the site.

An ecological appraisal found no evidence of protected species during site surveys, although further work is recommended in relation to bats, great crested newts, nesting birds, and other wildlife before any development takes place.

The ecology report also states that a traditional orchard habitat designation affecting part of the site may have been incorrectly identified and that biodiversity net gain measures would be required as part of any future development.

Meanwhile, an agricultural land assessment found the site contains around 1.1 hectares of the best and most versatile farmland, classified as Grade 2 and Grade 3a agricultural land.

However, consultants concluded the loss would be limited and noted that the wider Parrs Lane area is already safeguarded within planning policy for around 400 homes.

An archaeological assessment found no designated heritage assets on the site and concluded there is negligible potential for significant archaeological remains.

West Lancashire Borough Council will decide whether the proposal requires a full Environmental Impact Assessment before any planning application for housing can be formally considered.