Sefton Council is preparing to take the next step in its Sefton 2030 housing initiative by asking cabinet members to approve feasibility work on three council-owned sites that could deliver up to 230 homes across Ainsdale, Formby and Bootle.
What is being proposed
The council has agreed a partnership with the Sovini Group, a property management and regeneration organisation, to pool council land with Sovini’s development pipeline. If cabinet gives the go-ahead, Sovini will be permitted to carry out surveys and investigate initial design options at the former Ainsdale Hope School site, the Formby Professional Development Centre and the former TT Cables/Peoples site in Bootle.
- Former Ainsdale Hope School — identified as surplus to requirements;
- Formby Professional Development Centre — also classed as surplus and linked to community facility commitments;
- Former TT Cables/Peoples site, Bootle — already listed on the council’s disposal pathway.
Scope and safeguards
The three sites have long been earmarked for new housing in Sefton’s Local Plan adopted in 2017. The council states that the planned work is at an early stage and that no final decisions on development will be made by cabinet next week. Any proposals would be subject to the normal planning process and an assessment of impacts on local infrastructure and services.
"Everyone deserves a safe, good-quality home. It’s key to a safe, happy and fulfilling life. Sefton 2030 is about making that a reality in our borough."
The council has also committed to safeguarding community provision in Formby, stating that plans will include a commitment to work with Ravenmeols Community Centre to ensure continued provision of facilities in the area.
How this fits into Sefton 2030
Sefton 2030 is an ambition to deliver 1,000 new affordable and social homes by 2030. The proposal with Sovini is one strand of that programme and, if taken forward, the three sites under consideration would account for roughly one-quarter of the target. The arrangement would see council-owned land combined with private-sector development capacity to accelerate delivery.
| Element | Detail |
|---|---|
| Partner | Sovini Group |
| Potential homes on three sites | Approximately 230 |
| Sefton 2030 target | 1,000 homes by 2030 |
Local residents and stakeholders should expect consultation and planning applications if the feasibility work supports development. The council has emphasised that further approvals will be required and that any scheme must meet local need and planning requirements before construction could proceed.
This proposal will be considered at the upcoming cabinet meeting, where councillors will be asked to permit the preliminary surveys and design exploration that would inform any later planning submissions.
