Inspector finds West Lancashire to be a 5% authority

An Inspector has found that West Lancashire need only apply a 5% buffer to its supply under para. 47 of the NPPF. The Inspector so found in concluding that West Lancashire did not have a 5YLS and that an appeal for up to 150 houses at land east of Prescot Road, Aughton, Ormskirk should be allowed despite a conflict with safeguarded land policies in the West Lancashire Local Plan. James Maurici QC acted for the LPA on a 4 day conjoined inquiry. The decision on the second appeal is awaited.