Residents of Lydiate have voiced their concerns over a controversial new housing development in the area.
Work is set to start on farmland in the coming months despite a major element of the project remaining unclear. Bellway was granted planning permission to build 291 homes off Kenyons Lane in March 2022 despite dozens of objections from people living nearby.
Earlier in August, the housebuilder completed the acquisition of the 24-acre plot with work set to start in the coming months. The first homes are expected to be released for sale by winter.
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However, there remains some uncertainty when it comes to the Morton's Dairy site. The family-run business has been operating for more than 80 years and is based on Kenyons Lane.
A Bellway spokesperson said: "Morton's Dairy will remain operational while the business finds suitable alternative premises." Despite this, there is no timeline on the proposed move.
At the planning meeting five months ago, local ward councillor Andy Wilson also raised the issue of Morton's, stating there was a "lack of clarity". Neil, who has lived on Kenyons Lane for about five years, told the ECHO he 'isn't particularly against' the construction of the new homes, but said traffic will be "very disruptive to what is essentially a country lane".
"[The dairy] is quite disruptive for traffic," he said. "They come in about three in the morning - we moved here after them so we're not complaining about that. In the original plans they were moving, but I have a feeling they're not now.
"That will be a major issue. We get lorry drivers knocking at our door, they cant turn in if a car is parked on the road. It'll be a complete nightmare."
Gina, who has also lived on the lane for five years, said: "I'm absolutely gutted, but we don't know what's going to be the lesser of two evils - getting woken up at 4am by the dairy or not being able to get the car of the path because of the extra homes and cars.
"Bellway said they're going to try and be as transparent with the residents as possible and we've had one meeting with them at the beginning of the year."
Morton's Dairies was unavailable to comment.
Gina also told the ECHO of her other worries when it comes to the site: "I think there's going to be noise pollution and I think it's going to be a more dangerous place to live. I'm not looking forward to it."
A resident who did not want to be named, but has lived on Kenyons Lane for 45 years, said: "It's grade one agricultural land. Sefton Council has a lot to answer for. This is the main link road towards the M58. You've also got the dairy and a school - this will impact traffic."
Bellway said the Lydiate Gate development "will provide much needed and desirable" properties and "bring wider economic benefit to the area".
A statement added: "The site will create jobs in the construction of the development, and boost the local economy as families move into their homes and spend locally on the services to support them moving into their new homes. These homes will also bring additional council tax revenues.
"Bellway has worked with local planners to address concerns around the increase in traffic with a contribution of almost £500,000 to improve the highways around the site, and we have also made additional financial contributions to the local authority to be used for healthcare and recreational purposes."
A spokesperson for Sefton Council said: "Land north of Kenyon’s Lane was allocated for residential development as part of the detailed Sefton Local Plan. The site was one of many assessed by a government inspector at an independent examination in 2015, which concluded the land’s suitability for development.
"During this independent inspection the impact of future additional traffic pressures was considered. Furthermore the issue of traffic management, along with other potential factors, were thoroughly assessed and considered by Sefton Council’s Highways officers and planning committee prior to the approval of planning permission."
As part of the development, Bellway has committed a chunk of funding to the area through a section 106 agreement. This includes £471,852 to be used to improve Kenyons Lane at the A59 junction, as well as £166,452 for healthcare.
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