The Planning Committee approved three applications: the erection of an Aldi store at Pendle Drive, Litherland, the change of use of a cafe at 5 The Cloisters, Halsall Lane, Formby to a hot food takeaway, and the erection of 89 dwellings, a supported living facility and a sports pavilion at Land To The East And West Of West Lane, Formby. The Committee also noted the results of four planning appeals.

Land At Pendle Drive, Litherland

The Committee considered a report about an application for a new Aldi food store on the corner of Pendle Drive and Gorsey Lane, Litherland. The application site is currently occupied by three vacant buildings, and is allocated for housing in the Sefton Local Plan.

A retail assessment had been undertaken by the Council's retained consultants, who concluded that the proposed development would not conflict with planning policy, and that the loss of the site for housing would be acceptable.

The Council's Highways Manager had recommended a number of off-site highway improvements, including the installation of MOVA signals at the junction of Pendle Drive and Gorsey Lane. They also recommended that until the impact of the development on the operation of the nearby signalised junctions could be modelled, approval of the application should be withheld.

It was proposed that the application be approved, subject to a number of conditions and a Section 106 legal agreement, and that the issue of modelling the impact of the development on the nearby junctions should be delegated to the Chief Planning Officer.

Councillor Johnson declared a personal interest in the application, as he had attended an online meeting with the applicant.

The Committee resolved to approve the application subject to a number of conditions and a Section 106 agreement to secure:

• Off-site highways works
• A Travel Plan
• An Employment Skills and Development Plan

It also resolved that the Chief Planning Officer should be given delegated authority to finalise the detailed highways requirements.

The Cloisters, Halsall Lane, Formby

The Committee considered a report about an application for the change of use of a vacant cafe to a hot food takeaway.

The application had been called in by Councillor Maria Harvey, who had raised concerns about the impact of the development on parking and traffic, as well as the potential for increased noise and litter.

The report concluded that the proposed hours of operation (12pm to 10pm every day) were acceptable, and that parking was available in a nearby pay and display car park.

The Committee resolved to approve the application subject to a number of conditions, including limiting the hours of operation to those proposed by the applicant.

Land To The East And West Of West Lane, Formby

The Committee considered a report about an application by Redrow Homes Limited to build 89 dwellings, a supported living facility and a sports pavilion on two parcels of land either side of West Lane in Formby. The application site included the site of the former Clarence High School, which closed in 2018.

A significant number of objections had been received, primarily relating to the loss of trees, highway safety, and the impact on nearby nature conservation sites.

The application had been amended by the applicant during the application process to reduce the number of trees being felled and to increase the amount of open space on site. The applicant had also agreed to pay a commuted sum to the Council to mitigate the impact of the development on nearby nature conservation sites.

The report concluded that the application was acceptable, subject to a number of conditions, and to the completion of a Section 106 agreement. The agreement would secure a contribution to off-site biodiversity net gain, affordable housing, and the management and maintenance of open space.

The Committee resolved to approve the application, subject to there being no objection from Natural England and to the signing of a Section 106 legal agreement.

Appeals Report

The Committee noted the results of four planning appeals. The appeals related to:

• An appeal against the refusal of planning permission for the change of use of a shop and maisonette at 41 Durham Road, Seaforth to two flats. The appeal was dismissed.
• An appeal against the refusal of planning permission for a padel tennis court at 90 Gores Lane, Formby. The appeal was allowed.
• An appeal against an enforcement notice requiring the removal of a timber deck and outbuilding at End Cottage, 4 Mount Cottages, Prescot Road, Melling. The appeal was dismissed.