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Allowed25 February 20253354225

Land To The South Of Stopgate Lane, Simonswood, L33 4YA

Planning appeal 3354225 at Land To The South Of Stopgate Lane, Simonswood, L33 4YA (West Lancashire District Council) was allowed on 25 February 2025 by Inspector Dean S, following an inquiry. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: Whether or not the site is a suitable location for the development proposed, having regard to its status as Protected Land.

full planning permission for the erection of 3no. industrial units, (use class B8) with ancillary office space, new access, car parking, servicing, landscaping and other associated works

Authority
West Lancashire District Council
Appeal type
major · Planning Appeal
Procedure
Inquiry
Development
employment-industrial · Major general industry/storage/warehousing
Inspector
Dean S
Postcode
L33 4YA

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

  • Whether or not the site is a suitable location for the development proposed, having regard to its status as Protected Land
  • Whether or not the site is a suitable location for the development proposed, having regard to the effect of the proposal on the character of the area

What decided it

The Inspector concluded the proposal accorded with the development plan as a whole, particularly that it retained the rural character of the area and complied with Policy GN1(b), which alone warranted the grant of permission.

The proposal accords with the development plan as a whole, and significant material considerations including economic, social and environmental benefits (biodiversity net gain, employment land provision, job creation, support for an expanding business, and highway improvements) further weigh in its favour, with no harm identified.

What the Inspector cited

Development plan policies
Policy EC2Policy GN1Policy GN1(b)Policy SP1Policy EC1Policy EN2

How the Inspector dealt with each one is set out in the app, in order: the development plan, national policy, housing land supply, other considerations and the planning balance, beside the letter.

See how each was applied

The decision letter

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More decisions in West Lancashire District Council

The authority’s record since 2016 · every decision in 2025

  1. Allowed23 September 20266007484
    Boltons Farm, Blackgate Lane, Tarleton, PR4 6UX
  2. Dismissed15 September 20266012188
    3 Broad Lane, Downholland, Ormskirk, L39 7HS
  3. Allowed15 September 20266011231
    Caravan, 250 Gravel Lane, Banks, Southport, PR9 8BY
  4. Allowed14 September 20266007163
    Prince Williams Inn, Beacon Lane, Dalton, WN8 7RU
  5. Dismissed13 July 20266005633
    Land to the East of Boundary Lane, Hesketh Bank, PR4 6AJ

The main issues, what decided it, the planning balance and the policies and judgments listed as cited are read from the published letter by Town Planner Pro and are our summary, not the Inspector’s words; the letter itself is the record. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Research, not advice.

In the app this decision sits on the map beside every appeal around it, with its letter to read and the main issues, policies and judgments cited picked out.