Bankfield Lane Greenbelt Plan Delayed

Churchtown residents were celebrating last week after convincing Sefton Council's Planning Committee that plans to build 327 homes on greenbelt land off Bankfield Lane were deeply flawed.

Local Lib Dem Councillor, Daniel Lewis spoke at the meeting along with three petitioners. He said "I have never seen a planning application so deeply flawed. The meeting became a farce when the Developer's representative failed to address any of the concerns brought up by residents."

Councillor Lewis' ward colleague, Councillor John Dodd sponsored three petitions against the plan. After the Committee, Councillor Dodd remarked that "I have never seen a developer so dismissive of residents' concerns. Normally, developers consult with residents to address concerns but I haven't heard a peep from Wain Homes."

Issues raised included increased traffic hazards, sewage disposal, shortage of education and health facilities, the presence of Japanese Knotweed, the mix of affordable housing and most commonly, issues with frequent flooding in the area.

This matter came to a head when the Developer, under questioning from Meols ward Lib Dem Councillor Nigel Ashton, appeared to think that residents' primary flooding concern related to flooding from the sea. Residents could not believe their ears as Councillor Ashton had to point out to the developer that heavy rainfall, a high water table and nearby waterways are all far greater flood risks than a high tide to a development some 3 miles away from the sea.

Nobody at the Planning Committee proposed approval. The Liberal Democrats, Conservatives and Independent Councillors proposed rejection but the motion narrowly failed. The Committee then unanimously backed the deferment of the application.

Council Officers indicated that the matter is not likely to return to the Committee for a matter of months due to the long list of concerns raised by Councillors on the Committee.

This excuse peddled by the Lib Dems that there is pressure on local schools is a falsehood. EVERY school in the vicinity of the proposed development has surplus places now and predicted to have in the future.