A Labour party statement from Coun John Hodson on the controversial Planning Inspectorate decision backing large new development proposals in Aughton by Wain Homes.

Hodson, the Borough Council's Planning Portfolio Holder told QLocal this evening: "The Labour Group share the absolute and utter disappointment of the residents of Aughton and West Lancashire following the decision by the Government's Planning Inspector to allow the Parrs Lane appeal, as the loophole in the Tory Government's National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) allows them to do within the provisions of paragraph 49."

"Given that the adopted Local Plan was put in place by the previous Tory administration under a Tory-led Coalition Government, the blame for this lies squarely with the Conservatives at West Lancashire and at Government levels.

"Crocodile tears from Cllrs Westley and O'Toole offer scant comfort to the residents of Aughton and West Lancashire, it is now left to the Labour Administration to clear up the mess and try redress the issues in the next forthcoming Local Plan which is due to start in September and looking to be completed in 2020."