West Lancashire Planning Consultants

West Lancashire includes Ormskirk, Skelmersdale, and Burscough. About 89.5% of the district is Green Belt, shaping settlement edges and protecting surrounding villages. Known for market towns, historic streets, and rural landscapes, planning focuses on residential, commercial, and conversion projects. We can advise and support projects across West Lancashire.

In the last year West Lancashire decided 578 applications which is well below the national average of 988. The approval rate was 83% (slightly below the national average of 88%) and 43% of applications were decided on time, (significantly below the national average of 59%). Stats updated March 2026 from gov. sources. See how West Lancashire performs relative to other LPAs in our LPA hub.

"We love helping clients win Planning Permission in West Lancashire"

Conservation and Listed Buildings in West Lancashire

West Lancashire has a predominantly rural historic environment, with several Conservation Areas and a number of listed buildings across its towns and villages. Heritage constraints are particularly evident within the Ormskirk Conservation Area and Parbold Conservation Area, where historic street patterns, vernacular buildings, and village character define local identity.

One of the top reasons heritage building applications are refused is causing harm to historic significance, a risk that can arise when proposals are not prepared by a consultant with heritage expertise. We help minimise this risk with expert, site-specific guidance; contact us here.

Green Belt Approvals in West Lancashire

The Green Belt is nationally designated land around towns and cities, created to limit urban growth.

Significantly, 89.5% of West Lancashire is within the Green Belt and proposals in these areas can be subject to very high levels of scrutiny.

Almost the whole of West Lancashire is within the Green Belt, with sensitivities particularly around Ormskirk and Skelmersdale, where development pressure to meet housing need is constrained by rural character and agricultural land priorities.

In our experience, one of the top reasons poorly conceived Green Belt proposals are refused is causing 'harm to openness'. We can lower the risk of refusal with site-specific guidance. Contact us here.

You can also check whether your land is within the Green Belt using our interactive Green Belt map.

Development in the Open Countryside

Open Countryside within West Lancashire refers to land situated outside built-up areas and Green Belt boundaries, typically comprising farmland or natural landscapes. Residential development is generally restricted unless special circumstances can be demonstrated.

West Lancashire's rural landscapes span the West Lancashire Plain, mosslands around Burscough and Rufford, and the Martin Mere wetlands, where agricultural and ecological designations limit development.

One of the top reasons poorly prepared proposals in the Open Countryside are refused is that they fail to demonstrate a policy-supported need. To minimise that risk with bespoke advice contact us here.

Flood Risk in West Lancashire

In some areas of the LPA, flood risk plays a key role in determining planning proposals. Low-lying coastal mosslands, the River Alt corridor, and proximity to the Ribble Estuary place extensive areas of the district in Flood Zone 3, a significant constraint on growth in rural and semi-rural settlements. Where constraints permit, we can develop proposals that manage flood risk thoughtfully to give applications the best chance of approval.

Planning Applications in West Lancashire

As well as acting as Planning Consultants we are ARB registered architects with over 25 years’ experience. Our site-specific planning proposals balance creativity with strategic insight. We use the following field-tested work stages to help clients in West Lancashire achieve successful planning outcomes:

1. Stage 1: Site Appraisals & Planning Strategy Advice
2. Stage 2: Feasibility Studies & Concept Designs
3. Stage 3: Planning Application Packages
   • Architectural Drawing Packages
   • Planning Statements & Design and Access Statements
   • Coordination of Consultant Reports
   • Direct Liaison with Planning Officers
4. Stage 4: Technical Design
   • Discharge of Planning Conditions
   • Building Regulations and Construction Packages

Planning Services We Offer in West Lancashire

• Full Planning Applications: Commercial, new buildings, changes of use.
• Householder Planning Applications: Domestic extensions / garden structures.
• Listed Building Consent: Alterations / repairs to listed buildings.
• Conservation Area Consent: Developments within Conservation Areas.
• Lawful Development Certificates: Confirming existing / completed works are lawful.
• Validation Requirements: Gathering documentation to ensure applications are validated by West Lancashire LPA.

Planning Permissions We’ve Won in West Lancashire

• Full Planning Application: Green Belt extension to historic character dwelling on Cleeves Hill, Aughton. →
• Full Planning Application: Green Belt extension to existing canalside dwelling in Haskayne. →
• Condition Discharge Application: Student accommodation in Ormskirk town centre →

Design-Led Planning Advice in West Lancashire

We can review your site in West Lancashire and offer informed guidance on how proposals can be developed in order to maximise your chances of securing Planning Permission.

"Paul Ashton helped us secure Planning Permission for a new-build house on a Green Belt site in West Lancashire. His guidance through the planning process was clear and professional. We would highly recommend his services." - John Showering >