Sefton Council has announced plans to investigate three sites in Ainsdale, Bootle, and Formby for potential housing development, which could deliver around 230 new homes. The initiative is part of the Sefton 2030 partnership with the property management and regeneration group Sovini, aiming to build 1,000 new and affordable homes by 2030 while protecting the green belt.
Sites Identified for Development
The three sites are the former Ainsdale Hope School, the Formby Professional Development Centre, and the former TT Cables/Peoples site in Bootle. According to the council, these sites were identified for new housing in the Local Plan adopted in 2017. The former TT Cables/Peoples site is already on the council's disposal pathway, while the other two sites have been deemed surplus to operational requirements.
At a Sefton Cabinet meeting next week, councillors are expected to approve plans allowing Sovini to carry out surveys and initial design work to assess the suitability of these sites. The council emphasized that no final decisions have been made, and any housing proposals would still need to go through the standard planning process.
Community and Infrastructure Considerations
Plans for the Formby site include a commitment to work with Ravenmeols Community Centre to ensure continued provision of community facilities. The council stated that any impact on local infrastructure and services would be assessed as part of the planning process.
Cllr Phil Hart, Sefton Council’s Cabinet member for housing, said: “Everyone deserves a safe, good-quality home. It’s key to a safe, happy and fulfilling life. Sefton 2030 is about making that a reality in our borough. By working in collaboration with The Sovini Group, we can bring forward currently unused sites that have been earmarked for disposal and turn them into the right mix of over 200 new homes for local people.”
Wider Benefits and Local Plan Renewal
The council noted that Sefton 2030 aims to create places and communities by meeting a wide range of housing needs, including different types of homes for rent and purchase for families, older people, and younger people. Cllr Hart added: “As well as new homes, Sefton 2030 will bring wider benefits to Sefton, including local jobs, apprenticeships and training, as well as support for local businesses and suppliers.”
This announcement comes as the council begins work on renewing its Local Plan. Chief planning officer Derek McKenzie told a Cabinet meeting in June that an initial scoping report will identify social, environmental, and economic challenges and seek public input. He stressed that the Local Plan will allocate sites for various uses, including housing, employment, open space, recreation, and infrastructure, and will involve a call for sites from landowners.
Cllr Hart responded: “For me the priority is clear: residents must be involved early, and this must be a genuine conversation about the future of the communities. Housing need is real but development must come with the right infrastructure.”
Council leader Marion Atkinson emphasized the importance of utilizing empty local properties and ensuring the Sefton pound is front and centre, with a focus on town centres as key to growth and development.
