Borough Council leader Ian Moran has admitted that Thursday's election results were 'disappointing' for Labour.
This afternoon, he told QLocal: "This was a disappointing set of results for Labour, most significantly losing one of our most popular, hard working and experienced councillors in Nikki Hennessy.
"No doubt there were numerous factors that contributed to the loss but we are in no doubt that the Local Plan proposals published last year were not well received and voters have expressed their opposition, despite us having already scrapped them.
"We have always said we will listen to residents and their concerns which is why the Local Plan proposals are gone and it's back to the drawing board.
"We are still a Labour controlled council who will govern for all the residents of West Lancashire, and we hope the opposition will contribute constructively also.
"However, we look forward to welcoming the four new Labour colleagues for Ashurst, Birch Green, Digmoor and Up Holland who will further strengthen our Labour Group of councillors."