Ambitions to build a new M&S Foodhall, Lidl supermarket and business park next to Formby Bypass are due to be approved.
The 31.35-acre The Point scheme by Sefton and Formby Developments Limited would create “substantial employment opportunities” for the area.
It would also include small-scale business starter units; co-working spaces; light industrial facilities; and new research and development hubs.
Local residents could also see a new medical facility, a Costa Coffee drive-through and another drive-through, and a new junction off Formby Bypass.
Sefton Council is on track to approve the development at its Planning Committee meeting at Bootle Town Hall next Wednesday (16th September 2026).
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Sefton’s Planning officers are advising councillors to approve the plans, saying “the principle of development is accepted”, and that “there will be no severe adverse impacts on Formby District Centre”.
Some objections have been received, including from Tesco and Waitrose and some local residents, while other local residents have written in support of the plans.
The development would be built to the north of the existing Formby Industrial Estate and to the eastern side of the A565 Formby Bypass.
The 2,185 sqm Lidl store would be served by a 123 space car park.
The 2,006 sqm M&S Foodhall would offer 178 customer car parking spaces and an additional 11 car parking spaces for staff.
A new junction would be constructed to facilitate access and servicing for the development.
Additionally, it would feature a 167 sqm Costa drive-thru, as well as a second 295 sqm drive-thru.
The first phase also incorporates a 1,033 sqm community medical facility, addressing local health needs.
In their report, Sefton’s Planning officers said: “The proposal will not have a significant adverse impact on the vitality and viability of Formby District Centre or other nearby identified centres, it will not increase the risk of flooding to or from the site, whilst ecological impacts can be appropriately mitigated.
“It is accepted that there are differing views relating to the sustainability of the site, however, this is an allocated site that has been subject to various assessments and found sound by a Planning Inspector for development.
“It is considered that the proposal complies fully with the aims and objectives of the Sefton Local Plan, the Formby and Little Altcar Neighbourhood Plan and as such should be granted consent.”
In their planning application, on behalf of Sefton and Formby Developments Limited by Mono Architectural Design said: “As a whole, the proposed development will deliver the high-quality business park envisaged by the Local Plan policies, which will perform a strategic role in attracting significant local and inward investment and generating a high level of job outputs within a high-quality environment.
“At present, the site is currently a greenfield site, and would be cleared, altered and levelled sympathetic to its context and environment.
“Given Sefton & Formby Developments commitment to invest in Formby, the proposed development will, if consented, be constructed at the earliest opportunity, and will provide a quantitative and qualitative improvement in the employment offer in Formby.”
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