Lidl and M&S lose out in Formby as Sefton sides with supermarket rivals

Councillors agreed with Tesco, Aldi, and Waitrose that the scheme for two stores and an 18.7-acre industrial park would negatively impact the district’s centre.

Sustainable transport infrastructure was also found to be lacking by Sefton councillors, who voted to reject application from Sefton and Formby Developments at the most recent planning committee.

The decision was made against officer recommendation. The officers had noted the potential to disrupt Formby’s district centre but had stated that there would be no severe adverse impacts.

Sefton and Formby Developments’ proposals were to be known as The Point and centred on land north of Formby Industrial Estate and east of the A565 Formby Bypass. The site is bordered by Downholland Brook and Bull Cop main river and sits within the Formby Moss Local Wildlife Site.

The hybrid application for The Point called for full planning permission to install a signal-controlled junction on Formby bypass with footways and cycle paths, a 23,500 sq ft Lidl,. a 21,600 sq ft M&S Foodhall, a Costa Coffee drive-thru, and a series of infrastructure works.

Outline permission was requested for 265,900 sq ft of industrial development across 18.7 acres, a second drive-thru, an 11,000 sq ft medical centre, and assorted infrastructure works.

Mono Architectural Design drew up the designs for The Point.

Sefton and Formby Developments has six months to file an appeal with the Planning Inspectorate, should the company seek to overturn the committee’s decision.

To learn more about the proposals, search DC/2024/02165 on Sefton Council’s planning portal.