A national planning body has approved the construction of 156 new homes at a site in Merseyside despite third party objections to the scheme. Tony McDonough reports

Work will begin in the New Year on the construction of 156 homes at a site in Merseyside.

Sefton Council has officially approved plans to build 156 new dwelling on land off Bankfield Lane in Churchtown, Southport. The decision comes after a national planning body reaffirmed the council’s recommendations to approve the proposals, following a third party objections.

Work can now begin on the site, which will see a significant number of affordable homes constructed in the north of the borough. A spokesperson for Sefton Council said: “As with all applications, Sefton Council’s Planning Committee considered all facets of a proposal very carefully, including taking into account all objections raised.

“Initially a decision on the plans was due to be made in November 2021 but the local authority agreed to delay its judgement in the light of objections raised to the proposals.

“Now the National Planning Casework Unit has confirmed it does not need to ‘call in’ the decision for investigation and they have confirmed they are satisfied with Sefton’s analysis and due diligence of the application.”

The full approval determination was given on Monday, November 20.

2022 will see a number of new housing schemes brought forward across the city region. Almost 3,000 new homes are being supported by a £36m cash injection from Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram.

In late November, the leaders of the six local authorities on the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority approved the use of the remaining £36m from its £45m Brownfield Land Fund.

Those projects are a mix of previously approved projects, those identified through an open call with private developers and housing associations, and schemes being built or proposed by the local authorities.