Jul 7, 20213 min read

Formby Labour councillors submit comments on Brackenway planning application

Formby Labour councillors have asked for a number of comments and objections to be considered as part of the application to build 286 homes on land north of Brackenway in Formby. Sefton Metropolitan Borough councillors Catie Page and Nina Killen, and Formby parish councillor Carol Richards, say flood risk and overlooking are two of the main concerns of residents. The councillors say they do not support any building up of the land to a higher level - which would lead to overlooking - to address flood risk and say the developer has assured them this will not happen. Instead, large water storage areas will hold back storm water until it can drain away naturally via watercourses. The surface water run-off will not connect into United Utilities' drain and sewer system. The councillors have also reiterated that the entrance to the site should be from Formby bypass and not via Paradise Lane. There will be an entrance at Paradise Lane but it will be for emergency vehicles and cyclists and pedestrians only. This will be secured be an electronic barrier or bollard system. The councillors also expressed a wish for any building techniques to consider carbon emissions and for electric vehicle charging points to be installed. The councillors wrote in their submission to Sefton Council planning: "There should be no overlooking of existing properties and privacy for existing residents should be maintained. The development must not increase the risk of flooding elsewhere, and in fact should improve the flood risk situation for existing residents. Assurances must be given that the flood risk has been addressed and any measures will be maintained in perpetuity. The site will increase the amount of traffic on roads which are already often heavily congested. Concerns have been raised about the safety of the access onto the site from Formby bypass and the impact on traffic flows along the bypass and onto Southport Road. Consideration must be given to the impact on local health services, with funding secured to increase the provision of health services in Formby where needed. The development will increase the numbers using the local train station car park, which was already normally full each day before the pandemic. Consideration must be given to the number of school places in the area and funding secured to increase places if necessary. The development will be damaging to the local environment and the diverse species currently in the area. Raising of the land to deal with flooding would lead to unacceptable overlooking and must be avoided. Access to public transport routes is inadequate. Quieter piling methods should be used. There are concerns that the measures to address surface water flooding are inadequate and will increase flood risk for homes on Hawksworth Drive and Brackenway. The flood risk strategy must satisfactorily demonstrate that the development will be safe for its lifetime without increasing risk elsewhere and where possible reduces flood risk overall. Any flood mitigation measures must be maintained in perpetuity. The emergency access from Paradise Lane must be secured with an electronic mechanism that will be maintained in perpetuity so that the Paradise Lane route does not become a through road to the estate. Access via this entrance must be for emergency vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists only. Access for all site traffic should be from the Formby bypass and not through any residential streets.” "We support the delivery of affordable homes resulting in 30 per cent of the total scheme. Eighty per cent of the affordable housing should be provided as social rented and the remaining 20 per cent provided as intermediate housing, also known as part-rent part-buy or part-ownership. There should be appropriate mix of housing, with the majority of properties being one, two or three bedrooms. There should also be a number of dwellings that are accessible and adaptable for people with additional needs. There should be measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions where practicable, including: making the most of natural solar gain through site and building layout and design; and the use of low carbon, decentralised and renewable energy. There should be charging points provided for low-emission vehicles. All recreation areas should be fully accessible to the public." Cllr Killen said: "New developments can be a huge concern to residents and we urge people to contact us if they have any queries." Top Pic (from left to right):