All-clear for controversial Thornton housing

Sefton Council has given the go-ahead for Castle Green and Forth Homes to develop 206 homes in the village, a project that has attracted more than 400 objections.

Advised by Grimster Planning, the applicants intend to deliver the housing on an allocated site between Holgate, Brooms Cross Road and Park View in the village of Thornton, which sits between Crosby and Maghull.

Professionals advising on the project also include Eddisons on transport, Lally Tree Management, RSK, RPS, Rachel Hacking Ecology and e3p.

The application was first heard at October’s committee but was deferred in order to consider matters raised by a late representation relating to the project’s habitats regulations assessment – mitigation for the displacement of pink-footed geese has been part of the application’s story – while major concerns were also raised over traffic.

Sefton’s planning officers reported that the borough’s highways manager is satisfied that although there will be a significant increase in traffic, it will be acceptable should off-site improvement works be carried out between Edge Lane and Brooms Cross Road.

The proposal was approved unanimously.

According to the masterplan there will be 62 affordable dwellings within the scheme, while the proposal also complies with the council’s housing mix requirements in relation to two- and three-bedroom houses. Public open space is provided, encompassing an existing bridleway and new foot and cycle paths.

Planners concluded that although the proposal would result in the loss of Orhard Farm a non-designated heritage asset, it would make a positive contribution overall, recording that “the development would secure net biodiversity gain, new public open space and around £500,000 towards primary education and the A565 Route Management Strategy.”