Plans to build 258 homes on greenbelt land in Maghull could "open the floodgates" for similar developments across the country, a local campaigner has warned. The proposal by Anwyl Homes has sparked a petition signed by over 3,000 people, with posters in windows along Green Lane urging residents to "Say no to the 258 houses being proposed."
Campaigners rally against greenbelt loss
Bill Thompson, who has campaigned against development on the land for 15 years, said approving the scheme would be a "watershed" moment. He noted the fields are not in Sefton's current Local Plan for development and have ecological and heritage value. "It would open the floodgates for others around the country," he said. "It's like a knock-on effect. You set a precedent if you give planning permission. Once these places are gone they're gone forever, and they've been here for centuries."
The land has been farmed for centuries and is among the top 2% of quality farmland in the country, with fertile alluvial soil. Thompson, who has lived on Green Lane since 1973, said the area is a rich ecosystem with bats, barn owls, and protected species like water voles near the River Alt, as well as birds such as western marsh harriers and avocets in nearby Lunt Meadows.
Grey belt policy raises concerns
The application includes a green belt review to determine if the land could be classed as "grey belt," which would make it acceptable for development under the Labour Government's National Planning Policy Framework adopted in December 2024. Anwyl argues the land does not contribute strongly to preventing urban sprawl or stopping towns from merging, but Thompson said the policy is like an "open house" for developers.
Councillors across the political spectrum and local MP Bill Esterson have raised objections. The proposals moved to a new stage in July when Anwyl submitted an application for an environmental impact assessment screening opinion from Sefton Council.
Infrastructure and flooding fears
Thompson said the two primary schools near the site are already full to capacity, and the road would become busier with construction traffic. He also raised flooding concerns, noting the fields have a high water table and the lane floods easily after heavy rain. He recalled Storm Christopher in 2021, when the River Alt nearly burst its banks, and said some areas near Green Lane are only nine feet above sea level.
Anwyl already has planning permission for the Land East of Maghull development, which covers 85 hectares and has space for 1,400 homes. MP Bill Esterson said: "They should focus on finishing the building there, not on causing upset elsewhere as they have done with their Green Lane proposal." The Lydiate and Maghull Community Independents called the proposal "totally unacceptable" given the developers' commitments elsewhere.
Anwyl declined to comment when approached. Sefton Council was also approached for comment.
