Plans to build 72 new homes on the edge of Southport have sparked significant opposition, with Sefton Council warning that the development would primarily impact traffic in the Southport area. The site, located off New Cut Lane in Halsall, West Lancashire, sits adjacent to the Hillside and Birkdale area, meaning that the traffic and highways impact would mainly be felt in Sefton.
Traffic Concerns at Guildford Road/Halsall Road Junction
The proposed development includes a new priority junction on New Cut Lane to provide access, situated less than 150 metres south-east of the signal-controlled junction of Guildford Road and Halsall Road in Sefton. Queues often build at this junction during rush hour. Lancashire County Council has suggested installing 'no waiting at any time' parking restrictions on Halsall Road onto New Cut Lane to address this, but Sefton Council has judged that this would provide minimal benefit. It has called for the developer to reassess ways to mitigate traffic around the Guildford Road/Halsall Road junction.
Road Safety Assessment Criticised
Sefton Council also criticised the road safety assessment carried out by the applicant, NC Developments (NW) Ltd, stating that it should have included areas containing Southport Hospital, schools, and supermarkets to the north and south of the site. Lancashire County Council, as the Local Highway Authority, found that the design does not yet meet its standards for transport and traffic management, requiring further surveys.
Development Details and Timeline
West Lancashire Council is currently considering an outline application for the development. If approved, construction would begin in mid-2027. The site currently has houses to the north and west, with open farmland to the south and east. The homes would be a mix of one to five-bedroom properties, including eight affordable homes. They would mainly be two-storey, pitched-roof houses, with a red brick design and some stone feature gables and cast stone window sills.
Public Objections
The application has received dozens of objections from neighbours on New Cut Lane, raising concerns over flood risk, traffic congestion, local wildlife, urban sprawl, and the character of the settlement. The full application can be found on the West Lancashire Council website under reference 2026/0163/OUT.
