Ambitions plans to build 34 “high quality” homes near three prestigious Southport golf courses look set to be agreed next week after they hit the bunker at the last Sefton Council Planning meeting.
The proposals to create the new ‘Fairway Park’ development to the rear of 34 Lynton Road in Birkdale initially came before councillors on 25th June, but the scheme was deferred in order to secure clarification of the potential impact the development would have on the junction with Waterloo Road.
Further details were also sought on the economic viability of the development, specifically in relation to Affordable Housing provision.
Oakwood Homes is keen to construct a mixture of three, four and five bedroom high quality homes close to Hillside Golf Course, Royal Birkdale Golf Club and Southport and Ainsdale Golf Club, as well as Hillside Train Station.
In the new report, Sefton’s Planning Department is recommending councillors to approve the scheme, saying: “The proposed development complies with the relevant policies in the Sefton Local Plan and the National Planning Policy Framework.
“The concerns associated with the impact of increased vehicular movement on the junction with Lynton Road / Waterloo Road are acknowledged. However, the development would contribute towards the delivery of a scheme to improve the junction consistent with the site specific requirements of this housing allocation. The proposal would be acceptable in this regard.
“The applicant has provided a detailed analysis of the viability of the site and this has been fully scrutinised by the Council’s viability consultant.
“It is accepted that the proposal cannot support the full provision of affordable housing but could make a contribution towards providing this off site. This complies with the Local Plan.
“The Council cannot demonstrate a 5 year housing supply and development of this allocated site would make a contribution to the Council’s housing delivery. This weighs significantly in favour of the development.
“On balance, it is considered that the proposed development is acceptable, and the application should be approved, subject to conditions and the signing of a Section 106 legal agreement as detailed in the original report.”
The application has been subject to two petitions during the planning application process, endorsed by Cllrs Shaw and Brodie-Browne respectively. Objections received include that the site is Green Belt land and a SSSI and should not be built upon; could become an additional burden on the existing infrastructure and services; and that there would be too many houses for the size of the site.
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 park areas are prevalent in the central area of the site where portable cabins 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.
“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.
“There are no significant demonstrable adverse impacts arising from the proposals that would outweigh the considerable benefits of the scheme.”
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