Plans for 284 new homes in Churchtown take a step closer as petition raised against scheme

Plans to build 284 new homes on farmland in Churchtown in Southport are about to take a step closer. 

Developer Wain Homes has submitted its plans on how 156 properties on land off Bankfield Lane will look, which will be heard at a Sefton Council Planning Committee meeting this Wednesday (20th October). 

Dozens of local residents have voiced their objections to the scheme, with a petition against the plans due to be presented at Wednesday’s meeting. 

A petition containing 46 signatures and endorsed by Cllr Lewis, has been submitted objecting to the proposal on grounds of drainage, knotweed, house design and mix and residential amenity.

Sefton Council Planning chiefs are recommending councillors to approve the plans, and have sought to answer the concerns raised by local people. 

Representations have been received from local residents on Verulam Road, Blundell Lane, The Crescent, The Grange, The Mallards, Bankfield Lane, Three Pools, Scarisbrick New Road, Dawlish Drive, Lexton Drive, Bakers Lane, Bodmin Avenue objecting to the proposed development. 

Objections include: urbanisation of greenbelt land; loss of good farmland; flooding concerns; scale and design, design of housing; highway safety; traffic concerns; the stress of existing infrastructure such as schools, doctors, dentists; and several other reasons. 

Southport MP Damien Moore has also submitted his objection. 

The outline permission for plans to build 200 properties was granted by Sefton in October last year, with Phase One of the scheme – which included 128 homes – approved in August 2018.

In a separate scheme, 157 new homes are currently being constructed on the former Philips factory site on Rufford Road nearby by another developer. 

In his report, Sefton Chief Planning Officer Derek McKenzie said: “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. No harm would be caused to the character of the area or to existing local heritage assets.

“The proposed development would meet the Council’s affordable housing standards and would provide an acceptable housing mix. Landscaping would be provided within the site, with the use of soft landscaping to the eastern and southern boundaries to soften the appearance of the adjacent land and integrate well with the allocated open space approved under the hybrid application. The proposal would also incorporate landscaping along the existing ditch which would support existing wildlife and would provide green spaces through the development.

“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 no objections being received from MEAS or Natural England on ecology grounds.”

Mr McKenzie also answered residents’ concerns over various issues in his report: 

Housing Density 

“The site relates to a large development site comprising approximately 16.5 ha of arable land, with several small paddocks. The hybrid application granted outline permission for up to 200 houses for Phase 2. The reserved matters application proposes a total of 156 houses. Combined with the 128 houses approved under Phase 1, a total of 284 houses would be provided. This would provide a density of approximately 33 dwellings per hectare across both phases.

“Despite the reduced house numbers, the density would be consistent with the character of the area and compliant with policy HC3 of the Local Plan. The proposed houses will offer a mix of two-storey detached, semi-detached or terraced properties with heights complimenting those approved in Phase 1 and the general scale and massing in the locality.”

Affordable Housing 

“The layout shows that 55 affordable units are to be provided within Phase 2. Along with the 49 affordable units proposed in Phase 1, it is considered that the development would comply with the 30% requirement as set out within Policy HC1 of the Local Plan.”

Flooding 

“The original application was supported by a Flood Risk Assessment (FRA) along with a Surface Water Drainage Strategy and Utilities Statement. This considered both phases, assessed the potential sources of flooding to the development site and presented measures to mitigate the risk of flooding. The report concluded that the application site is suitable for residential development and would not give rise to flooding concerns, subject to the provisions of appropriate mitigation measures (including the raising of land).”

Infrastructure and Local Services 

“Residents have raised concern regarding increased pressure on local services, including impact on local schools and health services. This was a concern initially expressed under the hybrid application, but it was concluded that the proposed development would be acceptable in this regard. Given the hybrid application granted outline approval for up to 200 houses for Phase 2, the reduced number of houses proposed under this application does not give rise to any additional concerns that were not originally addressed.” 

Highway Safety 

“Various concerns have been expressed from residents regarding increased congestion, the use of a single access point and vehicular and pedestrian safety. Such matters were considered in detail under the Hybrid application, including the use of a single access to the site for Phase 1 and 2. The Highways Manager has raised no objection to the layout proposed under Phase 2 and is satisfied that there is sufficient car parking provision to serve the development.” 

Construction

“Various concerns have been expressed by residents regarding increased noise and disturbance from construction traffic and the impact of increased traffic on the local highway network and wider area. Objections have highlighted that the development of the adjacent Phillips site for residential development and the drainage works off Blundell Lane by United Utilities, will only exacerbate the disturbance. It is inevitable that there will be an increase in noise and disturbance, however, a condition was attached to the hybrid application seeking the submission and approval of a full construction environmental management plan to minimise the impacts as far as possible.” 

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