Plans to convert a detached "Victorian villa" at 2 Litherland Park into a house in multiple occupation (HMO) for nine people were rejected by Sefton Council, and the applicant has now lodged an appeal.
The application was considered at a planning meeting on September 16, after a petition objecting to the HMO received 2,003 signatures and was endorsed by ward councillors. A total of 132 letters of objection were also submitted, with the site located in a "primarily residential area".
Council Rejection and Applicant's Appeal
Councillors refused the application, stating that the HMO would "result in increased comings and goings, noise and general disturbance" and would "adversely affect the living conditions of neighbouring residents and character of the area".
The applicant, Ryan Robinson, has appealed the decision. In a letter of appeal, it is claimed that "there are only 56 properties within 100 metres and only three recorded existing flats/HMOs", representing 5.4% of all homes. The appeal argues that if the new HMO were approved, it would remain below the borough's 10% limit outlined in Sefton's local planning policies and guidelines.
Residents and Councillors Respond
Local residents have continued to oppose the plans, supported by ward councillors. A council notice was issued at the property on August 5 due to fly-tipping on the land, and the waste was confirmed to have been cleared on September 5, 2026. The council has confirmed there have been no further reports about the premises.
Councillors Liz Dowd, Ian Moncur, and Paulette Lappin issued a joint statement, saying: "We have time and time again listened to the voices and concerns of our residents over the matter of the HMO Planning Applications for 2 Litherland Park.
"As councillors we have been completely clear and consistent in our opposition to this planning matter, and we remain firmly committed to opposing the latest application as it progresses to an appeal.
"We have actively opposed every related application submitted to date and subsequently they have all been refused.
"Throughout this process, we have worked closely with residents to support them in their opposition and indeed added our signatures to their petitions. At the recent planning committee where the application was presented, we spoke in support of residents against the application and it was unanimously refused.
"The applicant has now chosen to appeal the latest refusal to the independent national Planning Inspectorate.
"This process is entirely independent of Sefton Council but we want to reassure residents that our opposition does not waiver. All three of us have formally registered our objections to the appeal and we will continue to support residents in making their voices heard.
"We recognise the strength of feeling within the local community and want to make absolutely clear that we have listened, we have acted, and we will continue to stand alongside our community."
