Green Belt under threat

Sefton Council’s Local Plan took a step closer last night when the Council's Scrutiny Committee agreed to endorse the controversial “Preferred Option Document” by the narrowest of margins.

Labour councillors on the Committee outvoted Liberal Democrats and Conservatives by 5 votes to 4 to send the Document, which proposes the building of thousands of houses on Green Belt land, through to the Planning Committee with no amendments.

Cllr John Dodd points out land under threat near Bankfield Lane

The Local Plan proposes the building of over 500 houses to the South of Moss Lane in Churchtown, on land surrounding the Old Links Golf Course, and 100 houses on land off Bankfield Lane, near Three Pools. These areas are currently high quality agricultural land in the Green Belt and are liable to flooding.

The Lib Dem councillors representing this area continue to strongly oppose building on Green Belt sites. Cllr Nigel Ashton said "We put up a very strong case against these proposals last time they came forward, two years ago. We will continue to fight against building on our precious Green Belt".  

The Local Plan Document will be considered by all councillors at a full meeting of the Council at Southport Town Hall on 27th June. The Plan will then go out to public consultation for three months, and is finally due to come into force in 2015.