The construction of hundreds of new homes in Churchtown in Southport could be given the go ahead tonight after it was deferred last month over concerns due to drainage, ecology and affordable homes.
Developer Wain Homes is hopeful that its proposals to build 156 properties on farmland off Bankfield Lane will be backed by councillors, after Sefton Council planning officers addressed the points raised.
It represents ‘Phase Two’ of the scheme, with a total of 284 new homes due to be built on the land.
A separate development at the former Philips Factory site nearby is currently in the process of building 156 new properties.
Last month councillors Bob Burns and Daniel Lewis presented a petition against the scheme to Sefton Council’s Planning Committee, as they urged committee members to reject the plans.
Cllr Lewis said: “Endorsing the petition, I set out a number of problems with the planning application. Key documents had not been published on issues such as drainage and ecology, and the plans were in breach of the council’s own planning policies on affordable housing.
“The developer had come prepared with no fewer than five experts but when questioned about how Japanese knotweed was being treated, not one of them knew the answer.
“Over the course of the debate, which went on for an hour, more and more issues with the application became apparent.”
Sefton Council Chief Planning Officer Derek McKenzie is recommending that Sefton’s Planning Committee recommends the plans this evening.
In his report, he said: “The application went to Planning Committee on 20th October 2021, where members discussed the key planning matters relating to the acceptability of the proposed layout, scale, appearance and landscaping.
“Members resolved that consideration of this application be deferred to enable consideration of the ecology reports from MEAS or Natural England and a review of the spread of affordable houses through the development, and that drainage matters be dealt with by condition attached to the outline permission. Since then, the Council’s ecological advisors, Merseyside Environmental Advisory Service (MEAS), have carried out a revised Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) to take into account any changes in habitat on site, more recent bird data and changes in case law relating to HRA. They have concluded there will be no adverse effect upon the integrity of European sites.
“Natural England have been consulted on the Appropriate Assessment and have raised no objections.
“In addition, the applicant has revised the layout plan to break up the areas of affordable housing to ensure acceptable ‘pepper-potting’ is achieved throughout Phase 2.
“The proposed housing would not cause significant harm to the living conditions of existing residents or those who would occupy the new houses approved under Phase 1.
“The layout and design of the proposed houses would ensure the development connects well with Phase 1 and areas of open space.
“The proposed development would meet the Council’s affordable housing standards and would provide an acceptable housing mix.
“The development is overall consistent with the principles identified with the Flood Risk Assessment and Drainage Management Strategy.
“A Habitats Regulations Assessment has been carried out and has concluded that there will be no adverse effect upon the integrity of European sites, whilst mole habitat can be further protected by condition.
“Finally, it is acknowledged that various objections have been made on matters of principle, access, congestion, pressure on infrastructure, Japanese knotweed and construction.
“However, such matters were fully addressed under the hybrid application and, where necessary, measures secured by either planning condition or section 106 legal agreement. “There are no other matters raised that give rise to concern. It is therefore recommended that the application be approved subject to conditions.”
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