The principle reasons for persuading EASA to draft rules for a LAPL - for each category of aircraft (aeroplanes, helicopters, sailplanes, balloons) - were:
1. for those pilots who did not plan to go beyond VFR day or night, max 2mt MTOW, 3 pax, no remuneration for instruction etc. i.e. for the enjoyment of flying as an end in itself rather than as an automatic stepping stone to 'higher' qualifications. We all knew that the JAR licence was misconceived as only a 'route to ATPL' and became a barrier for many who just wanted to fly privately. Hence the UK NPPL as developed 13-14 years ago.
2. for pilots who could not get the Class 2 medical, the LAPL was designed to allow them to keep flying, at whatever age. That applies equally to young people with certain medical issues as well as older folks who perhaps had had a Class 1 or 2 medical previously.
The LAPL was built on the principles adopted for the UK NPPL and some continental equivalents such as in Germany. I believe it will be successful in achieving the aims for which it was established.