Sefton’s housebuilding arm advances debut projects

Two schemes submitted by Sefton Council’s housing development arm Sandway Homes are set to be approved at planning committee on 16 October, with the combined projects to create 77 homes across the borough.

The first of the two is the proposal for 30 houses and an access road off Fell View, as pictured above. The 2.6-acre plot of land is to the north of Barton’s Close, Southport, and is allocated for housing in Sefton’s Local Plan.

Five of the houses are set to be two-bedroom, nine of them are to be three-bedroom, and six are set to be four-bedroom. 30.5% of the scheme is set to be affordable.

A petition with 66 signatures, supported Sefton Cllr Daniel Lewis has been submitted to oppose the scheme, arguing against “overdevelopment of the site, no consideration for construction traffic, the impacts on existing residents and ecology.” The proposals were set to be approved last month, with a recommendation for planning approval put forward by officers, but a decision was deferred.

At the upcoming committee, the scheme is again recommended for approval, with officers arguing it would be acceptable if ecological mitigation measures were put in place, and argued in favour of its contribution towards the housing supply within the borough.

The scheme was submitted by Sandway Homes, supported by ESA Architects and consultant GL Hearn.

The second of the two is for 47 homes and new access roads off Meadowlane in Ainsdale near Southport. The 3.5-acre site, which was previously a primary school until 2006, will have a range of two, three, and four-bedroom houses and 94 car parking spaces. Of these, 15 are for affordable tenures.

Again, this has been recommended for approval at this week’s committee meeting, subject to a Section 106 agreement. This includes a financial contribution of £103,000 towards education infrastructure, along with a £26,000 contribution to improve existing open space.

Homes England has agreed to provide a grant of £623,000 to carry out infrastructure and remediation works on the site.

Sandway was again advised by ESA Architects and consultant GL Hearn on this application.

Sandway was established by the council towards the end of last year to develop new housing across the borough