A ‘high quality residential development’ with 34 new homes could soon be built on vacant land in Birkdale in Southport.
Oakwood Homes has submitted a planning application to Sefton Council to build a mixture of three, four and five bedroom high quality homes with associated landscaping, highways infrastructure and amenity space to the rear of 34 Lynton Road in Birkdale.
The new development, set near Hillside Golf Course and Southport Rugby Football Club, would be known as ‘Fairway Park’.
The scheme would utilise land alongside the Merseyrail Northern Line between Southport and Liverpool, near to Hillside Railway Station, which has previously been used as a landing base by Network Rail.
The land was previously identified in Sefton Council’s Local Plan as an area suitable for new housing development.
The scheme would also involve the demolition of 34 Lynton Road to create a new vehicle access from Lynton Road.
The houses built would feature floor to ceiling glazing units across two floors creating feature gable-end walls and “unique, characterful architectural elements”.
The development is being designed by Unit3 Architecture in Liverpool.
In their application, they said: “The development proposals include the creation of 34 no 3, 4 and 5 bedroom high quality homes with associated landscaping, highways infrastructure and amenity space.
“Oakwood Homes is an established property development company specialising in the creation of high quality new homes in prime locations across Lancashire, Cheshire, Merseyside and Greater Manchester.
“The application site lies in close proximity to Southport Rugby Football Club to the east and is situated behind a row of semi-detached houses extending along the northern edge of Lynton Road. It is bound to the north west by a Network Rail trainline providing services between Liverpool and Southport. Hillside Golf Club lies beyond the trainline and provides an open aspect to the west.
“Internally it comprises an open area of land used previously as a landing base for Network Rail operations. Gravelled pathways and car parks areas are prevalent in the central area of the site where portacabins were positioned to facilitate servicing and logistics.”
Unit3 Architecture believes the development would bring a number of benefits to the local area.
They said: “The development would have a positive effect on the economy of the neighbourhood.
“The proposed development will support the creation of a strong, vibrant and healthy community by increasing the supply of housing type and tenure to meet the needs of the area, in a suitable location.
“The proposed development removes risks associated with a redundant site.
“The residential proposal is an appropriate use and supports the redevelopment of land allocated for residential identified in Sefton’s Local Plan. The site would make a valid contribution to local trade and promote greater use of local amenity facilities.
“The houses proposed as part of this site will be a unique offering compared to many of the standard house types designed by other developers in the masterplan.
“In terms of appearance, these houses will feature full height (floor to ceiling) glazing units across two floors creating feature gable-end walls and unique, characterful architectural elements.
“The houses have been designed to fit with the vernacular style of pitched roof dwellings with strong gable features. The gables feature a two-storey glazed window element which gives the appearance of curtain wall glazing. This feature is designed to provide a modern aesthetic and enhance the sense of quality throughout the development.
“Habitable spaces are organised to allow access to rear garden spaces and views towards the front of the property to optimise natural surveillance over the public realm.
“The site is accessible by a range of sustainable modes of travel including walking, cycling and public transport.
“The proposed development represents a sensitive and considered development which accords with the requirements of the council’s Local Plan.
“In accordance with the Local Plan, there are no significant demonstrable adverse impacts arising from the proposals that would outweigh the considerable benefits of the scheme.” Unit3 is a new innovative design studio based in the Baltic Triangle in Liverpool and undertakes projects across the whole North West.
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