Plans for a new housing development have been approved by Sefton Council and will create 33 new homes
Residents on Lynton Road, Hillside in Southport(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
Neighbours say they have been ignored by Sefton Council after they raised concerns about an access road to a new housing estate. Campaigners said they submitted a petition listing their objections including the potential impact on wildlife – it contained more than 200 hundred signatures.
Sara Oakes moved into the area around Lynton Road, Hillside, more than three years ago and said the potential development of the vacant site has been rumoured for years. She said: “It’s been a very long, slow process but in regards to the current plans, the council seemed to push it through very quickly, especially when you consider the concerns raised at the planning committee in June.”
LR Developments (NW) Ltd had submitted a proposal in 2022 to build 33 new homes on Lynton Road in Hillside Southport, which would include the demolition of No.34 Lynton Road to facilitate an access point to serve the development. However, approval was held up by Sefton Council’s June 2025 planning committee after a number of concerns were raised.
The new housing project was subject to a series of objections, including a petition signed by 195 local residents – and a representation by Hillside Golf Club – about the risks posed by ‘errant’ golf balls. The developer maintained that any potential risk is the golf club’s responsibility.
The terms of the planning application were initially heard at Bootle Town Hall on June 25 as councillors were asked to green-light the proposals, subject to conditions and the signing of a section 106 agreement. This included a commitment by the developer to contribute almost £300,000, including a £185,740 payment to mitigate the lack of affordable housing on the scheme.
No.34 Lynton Road, Hillside in Southport(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
After the adjournment of this meeting, the application was heard again on July 23 and an updated council report was presented by planning officers which stated: “The report submitted set out further information regarding the impact the development would have on the junction with Waterloo Road and the economic viability of the development.
“It also set out a number of further objections which had been received since the previous meeting, together with comments on the further objections.
“RESOLVED: That the recommendation be approved and the application be granted subject to the conditions and for the reasons stated or referred to in the report and in Late Representations and subject to the signing of a section 106 legal agreement.”
Responding to a question about the process and the involvement of local resident, Sara said: “We feel like we’ve been ignored.
“We’ve done two petitions with 200 signatures on both occasions, which should be indicative of the strength of feeling but it has come to nothing for now. We really would like to see a more robust, accessible and transparent process where local concerns are fully investigated.
“We’ve been left feeling quite frustrated, because we don’t feel some of our concerns were dealt with very fairly. For one, there’s the access road issue which the council didn’t seem to want to discuss.
“No.34 will be torn down and the new proposed road will be on a blind bend and that the two exits onto Waterloo Road, Sandon Road and Ryder Crescent are impossible to get out of at rush hour.
“They’re proposing a development of 33 houses. That’s potentially 33 plus new cars thrown into the mix.”
Specifically addressing the concerns raised about Waterloo Road, a technical report by SCP Transport Planning said no concerns have been raised by highways on either the access proposals or parking provision.
Sara added: “We have all this lovely wildlife surrounding us like bats and squirrels and foxes and deer, but none of this seems to be registering with the council.”
Residents on Lynton Road, Hillside in Southport(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
These sentiments are shared by Helen Jones, another concerned resident who is particularly worried about the implications for the local wildlife. She said: “Even my nine-year-old daughter, Maisie turned to me and asked ‘How can they build on that land when it’s covered in trees and has so much wildlife?’ Where will it go? Aren’t there better places to build?’
“She’s nine and can see that!
“There was a very healthy population of the protected common toad on the surveys and we know red squirrels use it all the time. We have video footage of the red squirrels and buzzards using the area.
“It would have been much better to turn it into a nature area using one of the many schemes available and continue the process of rewilding.”
The ecological survey published on the Sefton Council planning portal said inspectors found no evidence of red squirrels or natterjack toads, but confirmed the site does support a good population of common lizard – with a maximum of 16 noted during one survey – and common toad. The team also identified the presence of a single red fox.
A spokesperson for Sefton Council said: “Sefton’s Planning Committee considered this application, along with all comments received and concluded that the proposal is acceptable.
“As with all planning applications, the committee fully takes into consideration resident comments when reaching a decision and they are weighed up against technical evidence and other comments from statutory consultees.
“This includes concerns in regard to potential golf ball strikes and access arrangements.”