Approval nears for homes on Southport’s Phillips factory
Sefton Council is due to discuss proposals to build 147 homes on the former Phillips factory in Southport at a planning committee today, with the scheme recommended for consent by planning officers.
The 14-acre site, which is allocated for housing use under Sefton’s Local Plan, is bordered by Rufford Road, Balmoral Drive, and North Road to the north of Southport town centre.
Buildings on the site have now largely been demolished after Phillips ceased operating at the site in 2003.
Developer Catalyst Capital now plans to build 147 homes, including a mix of semi-detached, detached, and mews houses.
This will be split between 21 four-bed and 23 three-bed detached houses; 58 three-bed and 24 two-bed semi-detached homes; and 21 two-bed mews houses.
Alongside the homes, Catalyst will also create a 4.3-acre green space to the north of the site.
Sefton Council planning officers have recommended Catalyst’s outline planning application for approval at a committee meeting later today, arguing the scheme would help to “make a significant contribution” to the area’s housing shortfall.
Following a consultation, some local residents had raised objections over the levels of traffic and pressure on services the development would create, but others supported the proposals, agreeing that the existing site was an eyesore in need of development.
Planners also put forward a Section 106 contribution of £304,000 towards local primary school provision, based on around £2,100 per dwelling.
The professional team includes The Ratcliffe Groves Partnership as architect and Savills as planner.