31 School Lane Skelmersdale Lancashire WN8 8EH Data via plota.co.uk

Decided 2026/0306/LDP
Date received
15 Apr 2026
Date validated
15 Apr 2026
Postcode
WN8 8EH

Description

Certificate of Lawfulness (Proposed) - Change of use of class C3 dwelling house to C2 children's home for one child. Data via plota.co.uk

West Lancashire
Planning Authority Score
1.1/10
Poor
#291 of 296 councils
Relevant to this application:
Change of use

West Lancashire is slower than most councils at deciding householder applications, ranking #265 out of 296. The council extends the time limit on 60% of applications - one of the highest rates in England. Expect your application to take longer than the standard deadline. West Lancashire is also one of the strictest councils - it refuses more householder applications than almost any other, with only 85% approved vs 90% nationally.

One of the strictest councils
only 85% approved vs 90% nationally
These figures are council-wide context, not a prediction for this application. View full council performance
West Lancashire decision performance
Based on MHCLG data, the year to March 2026
82%
Overall approval rate
Below avg (87%) #253 of 296
85%
Householder approved
Below avg (90%) #252 of 296
41%
Decided in 8 weeks
Below avg (63%) #265 of 296
60%
Extended time limit
Above avg (41%) #271 of 296
73%
Minor dwellings approved
62 decided (1-9 homes)
60%
Major dwellings approved
5 decided (10+ homes)
59%
Change of use approved
34 decided
564
Total decisions
103 refused in the year to March 2026