Conservative councillors successfully led calls to block plans for more student accomodation in Ormskirk.
Cheers went up from a packed public gallery as proposals for 198 Burscough Street were rejected at Thursday evening's Planning Committee meeting. The plans were to demolish the existing building and replace it with an apartment block for students.
Ormskirk West County Cllr Rob Bailey led the calls to reject the planning application, saying "enough is enough".
He was supported by other Ormskirk councillors, including Conservative Cllr David Sudworth, who represents neighbouring Derby Ward.
Cty Cllr Bailey said: "It was this Conservative council which introduced a threshold to stop whole streets being turned into student accomodation in the future.
"I am therefore pleased the planning committee agreed with my calls to have this plan rejected. A number of local residents raised concerns, and the council received a petition of more than 300 signatures. They felt this represented overdevelopment of the site, and in terms of Burscough Street more than 20% of the homes there are classed as Homes in Multiple Occupancy (HMOs). Enough is enough."
Cllr Sudworth backed Cty Cllr Bailey's calls, and referred to similar issues regarding the amount of student housing in his own ward.
"The character of certain streets in Ormskirk is changing beyond recognition, and that is a real concern for residents," said Cllr Sudworth.
"In some areas, the balanced has tipped too far. This particular application would have resulted in over-concentration of student accomodation in Burscough Street, which would have had a negative impact on neighbours.
"I am pleased the application was rejected."