Redrow brings forward Formby homes after planning appeal
Redrow’s plans to build 99 homes on a greenfield site to the south of Formby are set to be approved by Sefton Council, more than a year after the proposals were first rejected by the council’s planning committee.
The housebuilder’s site sits south of Sutton Road and Andrews Close and is bordered by the railway line running north from Liverpool.
Plans for 95 homes on the site were rejected in December 2016, but Redrow appealed, and following a public enquiry in September of last year, outline permission was granted to build on the site in December, subject to a Section 106 agreement.
Redrow’s reserved matters application, which includes 31 affordable homes, has been recommended for approval when Sefton Council’s planning committee meets next week, despite ongoing objections from local residents, and from Network Rail.
Network Rail initially objected to the outline planning application based on the increase in usage of the Hoggs Hill level crossing, and has continued to argue the site should be fenced to its southern boundary, unless safety improvement measures to the level crossing are made.
A number of residents had also complained that Sefton Council had “misled the public” in relation to the consultation date for the plans. However, the council said it was “clearly stated” on consultation documents that responses were requested by 28 February.
Neighbours had also claimed there was “no consultation” from Redrow on the development, and argued the scheme would lead to an increase in traffic and the loss of green belt land.
However, planning officers said the plans would address “a shortfall of development” in the town. Redrow has also submitted a separate application for four additional homes at the site, bringing the total of homes up to 99. This has also been recommended for approval.
Sefton’s planning committee is due to meet on Wednesday 25 April.
*inquiry
By Edge
The Conservative government is committed to the building of new homes, unfortunately it is sometimes necessary to build on former green belt. Formby must like other parts of Sefton and UK take its share of new build homes.
By Thomas Huges