Land adjacent to Model Farm, Plex Lane, Halsall

6007428·West Lancashire·22 Sept 2026dismissed·3 dwellings·Green Belt

Summary

A PIP for up to three dwellings on a gap along a rural 60 mph lane in the West Lancashire Green Belt. The site was accepted as grey belt and unmet need was established. However, the lack of any footway between the site and the pedestrian network at Southport Road meant it failed GB7(1)(g)(iii)/TR3, even though the distance was short and some street lighting existed. As inappropriate development with openness harm, it was dismissed on the VSC balance. The S5(5) balance was expressly held not to be engaged.

The location finding

GB7(1)(g)(iii): fail. 60 mph narrow hedged lane used by agricultural traffic, no footway between site and pedestrian network; some street lighting does not overcome this (DL 12-16, 19)
TR3: fail. no "genuine choice of transport modes"; would not improve walking/wheeling connectivity (DL 16)

Route facts recorded

Plex Lane is narrow, hedge-bounded, 60 mph, used by agricultural vehicles; some street lighting; no footway by the site
Nearby Holly Farm scheme was permitted with a secured footway link to Southport Road; this scheme offered none
Distance to the pedestrian network "relatively short", but pedestrians must walk in the carriageway

What made the difference

The missing footway link. The Inspector contrasted this site with the neighbouring Holly Farm scheme, which was acceptable because it secured a footway connection. A short distance and partial lighting could not make up for walking in the carriageway of a 60 mph lane with farm traffic. If a continuous footway to Southport Road had been deliverable, limb (iii) would probably have passed.

Sources

Decision on the Planning Inspectorate appeals service · case file cases/PINS-6007428.md

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