There is strong opposition to proposed plans to turn a former nightclub into 25 homes.
A planning application has been submitted to Sefton council by Broadgrove Planning and Development Limited to build custom-built homes and a 100-space public car park on the site of the iconic Shorrock's Hill nightclub in Formby.
The nightclub was once one of the biggest in Merseyside and was originally called Falcons Crest. The site closed in 2015 and once offered function suites, restaurants, and bars.
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The application has brought with it strong resistance from the local community who have stated the new development could cause injuries to people visiting the beach. The main point of contention for neighbours is the two access roads that would be built along Lifeboat Road.
Lifeboat Road leads directly to the National Trust car park and is well known for becoming highly congested over the summer. Neighbours have said that if the "ridiculous" plans go through it will become "unsafe" for visitors to the beach.
In a comment for the planning application document one man said: "Apart from normal vehicular traffic, there are 42 seater coaches and horse boxes trying both to reach and to leave the car park at the far end of Lifeboat road. At the same time, pedestrians with small children, pushchairs, and dogs are trying to safely reach the beach.
"I witnessed Emergency Fire vehicles struggling to navigate past vehicles coming in the opposite direction with very little success. It would be both ridiculous and highly unsafe."
The site has sparked controversy for several years and in In 2016 it was proposed to build 60 homes on the site which was strongly opposed by residents. A petition was raised and the plans were eventually scrapped. Developers have said that the new plans "include a number of significant" benefits that would "greatly outweigh any perceived harm".
One woman commented: "Access at weekends is already a problem with public holidays being quite unbearable to local residents, dog walkers, and to all that use for access to the beach and National Trust's existing car park. Creating another car park at this location higher up with the only access via Lifeboat Road would exasperate this situation.
"I believe this to be disrespectful to the current existing community who have properties already, purchased holiday homes and upgraded other properties in the vicinity."
A spokesperson for Broadgrove Planning and Development Limited said: “The site is allocated for residential development within Sefton Council’s Local Plan so the principle of residential development is already established.
"The policy allows for up to 34 new homes. Our planning application is to create 25 bespoke new homes, set in attractive green space and also includes a 100 space car park in line with the Council’s policy.
"We do however recognise that some residents are concerned about the inclusion of the car park and we have therefore agreed with them to explore this aspect further. We will be engaging further with local residents and stakeholders over the coming weeks to discuss their ideas on how the plans could be enhanced.”
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