Disused airfield for box park
Page 18
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A DISUSED AIRFIELD is to be used by a haulage contractor as a container park.
This follows a public inquiry when Mr Ron Barker was refused permission by West Lancashire District Council to use Burscough airfield as a park. The airfield can now be used until June 30, 1979, In his report, appeal inspector, Mr J. A. Boucher said that the cost of making the site available for agriculture led him to the opinion that it would be "impracticable in the near future and I take the view that there is no reason why the use of the site by the appellant for a limited period should prejudice any of the council's proOosals."
Mr Boucher noted that the detailed layout of the whole airfield for industrial, storage and agricultural use depends largely on the policies adopted by the council and the proposed A59 trunk road improvements. "There is no evidence that these will be implemented in the immediate future."
He added: "Although the council state that it is unlikely that the appellant's business will be considered suitable for the industrial site, this is as yet not definite, and in view of the appellant's long established activity in the locality and his difficulty in obtaining another site, I consider this case merits some favourable consideration."
Though containers would be seen from places round the airfield, the inspector felt they would not be unduly obtrusive in the landscape, which was by no means attractive.