Caravan site and access at Merridale Farm, High Lane, Ormskirk

“PROPOSAL: Part retrospective for the 3-year temporary provision of hardstanding for the siting of caravans for the residential occupation of the travelling show people community, including the creation of a new access and track…”

“To advise Planning Committee on an application which seeks a 3-year temporary provision of hardstanding for the siting of caravans for the residential occupation of the travelling show people community, including the creation of a new access and track…”

“In the event that Members consider that the site does not meet all of the requirements of paragraph 154 and 155 of the NPPF in relation to grey belt, and the development is considered to amount to inappropriate development in the Green Belt, the benefits of the scheme would still be considered to outweigh the harm.”

“It is considered that the material considerations, when weighed together, result in very special circumstances being demonstrated. These circumstances are not based solely on the personal circumstances of the applicant but also take into account the lack of alternative sites, which justifies the need for this development.”

“The application has received 7 neighbour objections raising several concerns including:”

“- Increased traffic - Impact to residential amenity including privacy, noise and lighting - Fear of crime - Unsuitable site - Lack of information submitted with the application including drainage and waste - Site is in Green Belt and no very special circumstances demonstrated…”

“A. That planning permission be granted, subject to the conditions set out in the report, including a revised Condition 12 to enable accommodation of larger vehicles, to be prepared in consultation with the Highway Authority.”

“C. That the application be referred back to the Planning Committee should the Highway Authority raise an objection to the revised condition.”

“The use hereby permitted shall be for a limited period of 3 years from the date of this permission. The use hereby permitted shall be discontinued and any buildings, structures, hardstandings, enclosures or groundworks other than soft landscaping associated with the use shall be removed and the land restored to its former condition, on or before the expiry of this permission, in accordance with a scheme that shall first have been submitted to approved by the Local…”

“Within 3 months of the date of this permission a Biodiversity Gain Plan for the delivery and monitoring of Biodiversity Net Gain and a Landscape Planting and Maintenance Plan (LPMP) shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The Biodiversity Gain Plan shall be prepared in accordance with the Biodiversity Impact Assessment Report, Ascerta, dated November 2025 and the associated metric, and any relevant national guidance in place.”