Dozens of homes could be built next to railway tracks in one part of Sefton if new plans are approved.
The proposal, for 64 homes ranging from two to four bedroomed off Heysham Road in Netherton, was submitted to Sefton Council earlier this year.
The entire scheme would consist of affordable homes with half available for rent and half for sale, according to planning documents. submitted by the developer, social housing provider Your Housing.
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The land was previously home to a railway track, which was dismantled after falling into disuse in the 1980s. Railway lines which are still in use border the edge of the brownfield site, which also sits close to a housing development on the other side of Sentinel Way.
With industrial units and a waste disposal site also nearby, planning officers said conditions would be required to protect residents from high noise levels in the area with the use of acoustic fences and design features to reduce the impact.
As the site was previously operating as railway tracks, planning officers said the possibility of land contamination “cannot be discounted” given the limited nature of surveys carried out at the plot. Officers said further site investigation would be required if the development were to be given planning approval.
The site would be well served by existing train and bus routes, according to officers, and has a nearby cycling route which would be expanded as part of the scheme.
However, pedestrian access as laid out in the plans would be “poor” heading towards Ormskirk Road in particular – with officers recommending £20k in developer contributions to help mitigate some of these issues.
While the land was designated for employment use and so being used as residential could be classed as a disadvantage of the development, with no objections and the benefit of bringing in much need social housing, officers recommended the plans be approved.
A planning officer’s report said the development would “bring a long-term vacant site into use and contributions would be provided to improve the highway along Heysham Road, improving accessibility in the area.”
Members of Sefton Council’s planning committee will meet on Wednesday, November 16 at Bootle Town Hall to discuss the proposals and decide whether to accept or reject the plans.
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