A new masterplan for Skelmersdale town centre has received the backing of councillors despite concerns over a housing development and land earmarked for a railway station.
The plan includes the construction of 400 homes at the former Glenburn School site, now known as Glenburn Sports College, and designates a large area for a potential station.
The proposed masterplan was supported by a majority of West Lancashire councillors during the borough council's most recent full meeting. They also acknowledged the results of public consultation and subsequent modifications to the plan, such as alterations to the Concourse shopping centre and homes overlooking Tawd Valley Park.
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Tawd Valley Developments Ltd, a regeneration company owned by the council, is slated to be the scheme's master developer, subject to compliance with procurement laws.
A report from the borough stated that West Lancashire Council and Lancashire County Council had commissioned Tetra Tech and Lambert Smith Hampton to develop a masterplan, which includes the Glenburn site. Over the past three years, the plan has been shaped by research and engagement.
Without intervention, Skelmersdale town centre faces 'continued economic stagnation', limited transport links and a weak evening economy, according to the report. Previous attempts at regeneration have encountered delivery challenges, leading to public scepticism.
Last autumn, nearly 3,000 people engaged with the consultation and 325 completed a survey. While the plan was largely supported, opinions were divided on the Glenburn proposal, with 43 per cent in favour and 44 per cent against the housing idea.
The revised masterplan for Tawd Valley Developments has adopted a phased approach, with clearer governance and alignment with Homes England and other funding systems to ensure deliverability, according to a council report. The plan includes new commercial spaces, homes, and public space improvements.
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The western entrance of The Concourse will see improved access, while the bus interchange will be relocated to street level to enhance accessibility and people flow. Approximately 400 new homes are planned for the Glenburn site.
Yewdale Regeneration will introduce new homes with improved fronts facing Tawd Valley Park, which is also set for major enhancements.
During the full council meeting, Our West Lancashire (OWL) Coun Adrian Owens proposed an amendment. He stated: "There are a lot of good proposals here which should improve Skelmersdale. However, we have some concerns about the Glenburn site, which we have expressed repeatedly. It's a good location with motorway connections. Separately, the area kept for a potential railway station seems to have got smaller? We think this plan needs some reworking and should include a community sport centre.
"When Glenburn college was there, there was a community sports facility. When the college closed, the community wanted to take over the pitches but the county stymied it. There is an appetite for some houses but there is also a shortage of football pitches in Skelmersdale.
"Some of this does not fit with the borough's Local Plan, particularly for Glenburn. But re-working it would only delay things for a few months to get things right. Overall, this is a 10 to 15 year-project. "
Labour Cllr Yvonne Gagen, the council's leader, said: "Glenburn is a critical component. It would support the delivery of housing and get funding for infrastructure. Early marketing tests generated interest from 13 developers. But it needs to be stable. No viable proposal for a sports centre has been brought forward, and it would impact on the site and plans."
She added: "A leisure hub is part of the masterplan and it responds specifically to feedback in consultation. This OWL amendment tonight does not."
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Conservative Coun Katie Juckes said: "When Skelmersdale was built, this site was the heart of the community with fabulous facilities. Glenburn had sports tracks, playing fields and a swimming pool. It was designed for a reason, for families to have access to health and well-being facilities. But facilities have been eroded. Skelmersdale has grown to a big town but facilities have decreased.
"Skelmersdale has 39,000 people. Ormskirk has 29,000 and Busrcough 10,000. Skelmersdale has a bigger population than the two other towns but a different population.
"I strongly object to putting 400 houses on the whole site and the risks to the railway station site. Recently Angela Rayner, the deputy prime minister, highlighted criteria to consider in planning including transport hubs and facilities. What facilities? Ask Skelmersdale folk. Part of this site should be saved for sports, to lessen the burden on other public services.
"A 'quick fix' will do nothing to better the provision of long-term facilities in Skelmersdale. When considering the future, we should reflect back to the original, well-intentioned aims of this area and not build 400 new homes."
Labour Coun Carl Coughlan, a lead councillor for leisure, said: "I welcome the passion for investing in leisure, We are looking at leisure provision on a borough-wide scale. Skelmersdale does not have a leisure centre and I will not throw mud here tonight by saying who closed it. There are other locations for football, and Lathom and Glenburn are part of the areas we're looking at for leisure.
"Glenburn is pivotal in opening-up the town centre and developing it, including its night time economy. I have no need to be reminded about what it's like to live in Skelmersdale because I live there. The Concourse and the bridge are part of our plans.
"This masterplan has existed in some form for a few years, I'm confident the new changes address the needs for Skelmersdale and the wider borough."
Labour councillor, Mark Anderson stated: "I think the financial plan for this is well-tested. There was only a one per cent difference between support and opposition to the Glenburn element. I'd ask councillors to support this."
In the vote, the OWL amendment was unsuccessful while the initial recommendations supported by the ruling Labour group obtained a majority of councillors' support.