Church link block and solar panels at Burscough Methodist Church, Burscough, Ormskirk

“PROPOSAL: Proposed single storey link block and installation of solar panels.”

“REASON WHY APPLICATION IS AT PLANNING COMMITTEE: The application was called in by Cllr Pope in regard to concerns about residential amenities, parking and possible over development. The application was deferred from the Planning Committee on 20 th November 2025 in order for further clarification on access and egress arrangements to be provided, additional consultations with emergency services to be carried out and to obtain additional reporting and confirmation from…”

“The applicant has provided adequate information to demonstrate there are suitable emergency access/egress provisions for the site and a Building Control application has been submitted to fully assess compliance with the relevant codes. Additional consultations have been sought and no objections from any emergency services have been received.”

“It remains the officers view that the proposal meets the requirements of the NPPF and Policies SP1, GN1, GN3, EN1, EN4 and IF2 of the West Lancashire Local Plan 2012-2027 DPD.”

“Canal & River Trust – 28 th April 2026 The Trust previously provided comments in our letter dated 14th July 2025 (Our ref: CRTR-PLAN-2025-44528). The Trust has reviewed the amended details submitted and our previous comments still stand and has no further comments to make on the amended detail.”

“Environmental Health – 1 st June & 12 th August 2026 A Noise Assessment requirement was identified by Environmental Health in regard to the proposed Air Source Heat Pumps, further information was requested and subsequently this part of the development was removed as part of the proposal. Environmental Health have confirmed based on the removal of the Air Source Heat Pumps they have no objections in principle to the proposed application as submitted.”

“Church has not consulted blue light services and the school as requested • A meeting was held between the Church architect, a member of the Church planning committee, the headteacher and a school governor but the school was not consulted or involved in any discussions with Fire Officer's • Fire Officer has not visited the school site • Not appropriate the school has been excluded from these discussions • No demonstration of consultation with the Police • Safety…”

“Air Source Heat Pumps have been removed from proposal) • Inclusion of Bicycle racks does not reflect the reality of users of the site currently • No parking provided for school staff or visitors despite an annual parking fee collected by the church • Following development there will be no parking for school staff, specialist visitors or Church/Church Hall users • Existing parking restrictions surrounding the site remove further parking capacity • Photographs supplied of…”

“Members originally considered the application at the meeting in November 2025 and voted to defer the application. The discussion at the meeting in November raised concerns in regard to the access to the Burscough Bridge Methodist Primary School site for emergency vehicles and also safeguarding issues were raised. Members noted that neither Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service or the Police Service had been consulted.”

“The Assistant Director of Planning and Regulatory Services submitted a report on planning application 2025/0548/FUL, relating to Burscough Methodist Church, Orrell Lane, Burscough, L40 0SG.”

“AGREED: That planning application 2025/0548/FUL be deferred until a sufficient number of eligible Members are present to constitute a quorum for consideration of the item.”