Skelmersdale regeneration faces legal challenge

A proposed development in Skelmersdale which promised 50,000 sq ft each of retail space and leisure facilities and to create as many as 500 jobs will be challenged in court by a rival developer.

LCP is forging ahead with its own plans for a £4m cinema and restaurant scheme at the centre, and says it has no option but to seek legal redress to safeguard both the town centre and the mall’s future.

the granting of planning consent to St Modwen for a competing scheme in the town centre

The letter – a pre-action protocol – identifies the specific legal grounds on which it disputes the planning consent and seeks to establish if the council can address them to avoid litigation.

Jo Salmon, LCP’s retail portfolio manager, said they were left with no option but to take this action because legal counsel believes the consent for the St Modwen scheme is unlawful, unenforceable and ineffective.

“We are challenging the scheme on a number of legal and technical points and it is our hope that the council can rectify these issues but if that is not possible, then we have no choice but to apply to the courts for judicial review.”

“The council’s consultants have pointed out that this would represent a severe blow to the centre particularly given the recent closures, which have resulted in further vacant units,” added Jo.

"The shopping centre, which houses more than 70 shops including well-known high street names and numerous independent businesses, will also undergo significant improvements and will bring to the town the leisure so desperately needed while improving the retail offer in the centre," Jo added.

“If the competing scheme was to go ahead, there will no new retailers coming to the town, just relocation of our existing stores, which will lead to fewer shoppers in the centre, further weakening of the town’s core, more vacant units and less choice for customers. “This would be detrimental to the town, the businesses, the employees and our shoppers. This cannot be allowed to happen.”

Enjoyed this? Read more from Lancashire Business View

Latest news

1

Healthier homes on the horizon thanks to business team-up Deyrick Allen, Niamh Allen, Derek Horrocks and Tom Allen

Healthier homes on the horizon thanks to business team-up

04 Nov 2024

2

LCM acquires CorroGuard and strengthens its position as a leading coatings service provider LCM Corroguard email header.jpg.jpg

LCM acquires CorroGuard and strengthens its position as a leading coatings service provider

04 Nov 2024

3

Cruise retailer’s US office hits $3m sales in four months James Cole CEO Panache Cruises

Cruise retailer’s US office hits $3m sales in four months

04 Nov 2024

4

Sanderson Weatherall appointed to manage Preston's £45m+ Animate leisure complex The handover for the Animate leisure complex

Sanderson Weatherall appointed to manage Preston's £45m+ Animate leisure complex

01 Nov 2024

5

Beer company created to raise awareness of bowel cancer and funds for charity Imogen-Rose Gregory

Beer company created to raise awareness of bowel cancer and funds for charity

01 Nov 2024

PC PrestonMacan GIF980x120
Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
The Lancashire Festival of Business
FOB 315
Exhibitions
30 Jan 2025

The Lancashire Festival of Business

Impact Conferencing, Burnley, BB12 6QP

09:00 - 16:00

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers
WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion copy.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
11 Jun 2024 - 04 Dec 2024

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:00 - 16:30

Skills Bootcamp in Procurement - Cohort 2
Blue-Modern-Land-Travel-Youtube-Thumbnail-2-1024x576.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
15 Oct 2024 - 17 Dec 2024

Skills Bootcamp in Procurement - Cohort 2

Community & Business Partners CIC, Blackburn, BB2 3UA

09:30 - 13:00

Why Trade Internationally?
Chamber Logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
06 Nov 2024 - 06 Nov 2024

Why Trade Internationally?

Lune Brew Co. Unit 2, Galgate Mill, Ind Est, Chapel Ln, Galgate, Lancaster, LA2 0PR

08:00 - 11:00

Bridging The Gap: Connecting business and developers
Nov Preston Tech Connection event banner-2.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
06 Nov 2024 - 06 Nov 2024

Bridging The Gap: Connecting business and developers

Society1 Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:30

Avidly Activates UK 2024 - Activate your customer-driven sales and marketing
avidly activates audience having a good time.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
14 Nov 2024

Avidly Activates UK 2024 - Activate your customer-driven sales and marketing

Everyman Cinema, Holmes Mill, Clitheroe, BB7 1EB

10:00 - 16:00

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Header (14).png.png
LBV Hub Networking
14 Nov 2024 - 14 Nov 2024

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Mytton Fold, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

11:30 - 14:15

mBITfor transformative leadership and coaching
mBIT coach Practitioner.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
14 Nov 2024 - 17 Nov 2024

mBITfor transformative leadership and coaching

Unlocking Possibilities training venue, 166 Waterloo Road , Blackpool, FY4 2AF

09:00 - 17:00

Live Work Create: Building Community In The Modern World
Live-Work-Create-Building-Community-1024x1024.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
20 Nov 2024

Live Work Create: Building Community In The Modern World

Society1 Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 20:00

North West HR Employers Forum
CBP-logo LBV.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
20 Nov 2024 - 20 Nov 2024

North West HR Employers Forum

Wham Stadium, Accrington Stanley, Livingstone Road, Accrington, BB5 5BX

09:00 - 12:00

LBV119 Magazine Launch Event
DSC9389
Networking
20 Nov 2024

LBV119 Magazine Launch Event

Stonyhurst College, Clitheroe, BB7 9PT

16:00 - 18:00

Emergency First Aid at Work
Chamber Logo1.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Nov 2024

Emergency First Aid at Work

FGH Training, 3rd Floor, Storey House, White Cross Business Park, Lancaster, LA1 4XQ

09:00 - 05:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV118 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin