in the balance

Adrian is a ward councillor in Ormskirk. He is aware that there is a ongoing struggle to maintain a balanced community in Ormskirk, as he this week called for the Government to change planning law to help.

“Too many family homes in Ormskirk are being converted to houses occupied by several unrelated single people, especially with the growth of Edge Hill. The council doesn't have enough existing powers to counter this trend” , Adrian said.

“I've just called in a planning application which seeks to convert a residential semi in Thompson Avenue into a seven bed unit, apparently for student nurses. I want concerned residents to be able to put their case directly to councillors on the planning committee. I was able to do this partly because it was such a large conversion.

“Yet often for smaller conversions, planning permission isn't required. Ormskirk is in danger of becoming an unbalanced community. A primary school head has already expressed concern to me about future school roll numbers, and first time buyers are being squeezed out of the Ormskirk property market.”

Adrian concluded saying “After years of dithering, the Government is finally consulting on additional planning powers for councils to restrict these type of house conversions. The local council will be responding and pressing for those extra powers. The Government needs to get a move on and give English councils the same powers as those in Northern Ireland have."

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