Town's £150m redevelopment masterplan approved

The project expected to take 10 to 15 years

A £150m revamp of a west Lancashire town that will see 400 new homes built has been approved.

The West Lancashire Borough Council project for sites in Skelmersdale town centre will also include a leisure hub, commercial units and restaurants along a new high street.

It was approved after a six-week consultation which led to changes including improved accessibility and transport links.

West Lancashire Borough Councillor Melissa Parlour said it was "a realistic and deliverable plan that puts residents' priorities at the centre".

She said the project was a response to "what we've heard from the community".

Tawd Valley Developments Limited, the council's wholly-owned development company, will lead the redevelopment project.

More details about the scheme "will emerge over time", with the project expected to take 10 to 15 years, the council said.

Changes have been made to the plan since it was first unveiled, including the relocation of the concourse bus station to street-level and more investment in Tawd Valley Park.

Concerns were also raised in the consultation about the affect of the new homes on the capacity of schools, healthcare sites and transport.

As a result, planners agreed the masterplan will be delivered in phases, with the building of new homes to come alongside efforts to avoid placing undue pressure on local services.