Proposals to build “a high quality residential development” with 34 new homes very close to three top golf courses in Southport looks set to be approved.
Oakwood Homes has submitted a planning application to Sefton Council to build a mixture of three, four and five bedroom high quality homes to the rear of 34 Lynton Road in Birkdale.
The new development is very close to Hillside Golf Course, Royal Birkdale Golf Club and Southport and Ainsdale Golf Club, as well as Hillside Train Station.
The new development would be known as ‘Fairway Park’.
A final decision will be made by Sefton Council’s Planning Committee at Bootle Town hall on Wednesday (25th June 2025), with planning officers recommending that councillors should grant approval.
In a report, they said: “The site is allocated for housing within the Sefton Local Plan. The main issues to consider include the principle of the development, its design and impacts on the character of the area, living conditions, highway safety, ecology, trees and flood risk.
“The proposal complies with adopted Development Plan policies and, in the absence of any other material considerations, the application is recommended for approval subject to conditions.”
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.
“The residential proposal is an appropriate use and supports the redevelopment of land allocated for residential identified in Sefton’s Local Plan.
“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.
“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.”
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