Planning authority
West Lancashire Borough Council
Adopted plan 13 years old; plan in preparation: early consultation; HDT 279%.
- Plan over 5 years old
Adopted plan
| Plan | West Lancashire Local Plan 2012-2027 |
| Adopted | 16 October 2013 |
| Age | 13 years |
| Plan period | 2012–2027 |
| Housing requirement | 4,860 homes |
| Council's page | The adopted plan |
Plan in preparation
| Plan | West Lancashire Local Plan 2023-2040 |
| Stage | Early consultation |
| Next dated event | None dated |
| Council's page | The plan in preparation |
From the national planning data platform, which can lag behind the council. Known gaps
Housing Delivery Test
| Measurement | 279% (2025) |
Applications
| Period | July 2025 to June 2026 |
| Received | 583 |
| Decided | 543 |
| Granted | 440 (81%; England 87%) |
| Refused | 103 |
| Major applications decided | 13, of which 11 granted |
| Quarter | Received | Decided | Granted | Refused |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| July to September 2025 | 141 | 145 | 113 | 32 |
| October to December 2025 | 127 | 125 | 99 | 26 |
| January to March 2026 | 160 | 119 | 97 | 22 |
| April to June 2026 | 155 | 154 | 131 | 23 |
Appeals
| Decided | 1 September 2021 to 28 August 2026 |
| Planning appeals | 125: 42 allowed, 1 split, 82 dismissed |
| Householder appeals | 51: 16 allowed, 1 split, 34 dismissed |
| Allowed in full or in part | 34% (England 32%) |
Latest planning appeals
| Decided | Site | Development | Procedure | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 July 2026 | LAND TO THE EAST OF BOUNDARY LANE, HESKETH BANK, PR4 6AJ Application 2023/0787/OUT | Major dwellings, 10 homes | Written Representations | Dismissed |
| 10 July 2026 | Land south of The Gravel, Mere Brow, Tarleton, Lancashire, PR4 6JX Application 2026/0034/PIP | Minor Dwellings, 7 homes | Written Representations | Allowed |
| 10 July 2026 | Former Ormskirk Waste Water Treatment Works, Blackacre Lane, Ormskirk, Lancashire, L39 1QW Application 2025/0836/FUL | Other minor developments | Written Representations | Dismissed |
| 10 July 2026 | Land To The West Of Hunters Lane, Blackgate Lane, Preston, Tarleton, Lancashire, PR4 6JJ Application 2025/1032/PNP | Other minor developments | Written Representations | Allowed |
| 10 July 2026 | Land at junction of Sandy Lane and Back Lane, Newburgh, WN8 7TT Application 2025/0883/PIP | Minor Dwellings, 9 homes | Written Representations | Allowed |
| 24 June 2026 | Land to the West of 1B Fermor Road, Tarleton, Lancashire, PR4 6AP Application 2025/0863/PIP | Minor Dwellings, 8 homes | Written Representations | Allowed |
| 24 June 2026 | Roscoe Farm Barn, Bispham, Lancashire, L40 3SH Application 2025/0806/FUL | Minor Dwellings | Written Representations | Dismissed |
| 23 June 2026 | Land To The South Of, Middle Meanygate, Tarleton, Preston, West Lancashire, PR4 6LP Application 2025/0973/PNP | Other minor developments | Written Representations | Allowed |
| 23 June 2026 | Land South Of Western End Of, Newarth Lane, Hesketh Bank, Lancashire, PR4 6RS Application 2025/0899/PNC | Change of use, 2 homes | Written Representations | Allowed |
| 9 June 2026 | Hazeldene, Blythe Lane, Lathom (Near Ormskirk), West Lancashire, L40 5TY Application 2025/0391/FUL | Minor Dwellings, 1 home | Written Representations | Dismissed |
Each outcome links to the case on the Planning Inspectorate's site, where the decision letter is published.
Changes recorded
No changes recorded since the tracker started.