Sefton Council is seeking to progress multiple large-scale housing developments across our communities despite significant concerns regarding infrastructure capacity, environmental impact, flood risk, and compliance with established planning policies.

Local residents believe these proposals fail to adequately address the requirements of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and are inconsistent with key principles contained within Sefton Council's own Local Plan. Serious concerns remain regarding highways and traffic congestion, healthcare provision, school capacity, environmental impacts, flood risk and surface water management, and the cumulative effect of multiple developments being proposed within the same area.

For example, the planning application for the Southport Road development (which this petition is specifically opposed to) contains apparent inaccuracies and references to several documents marked as "Document Unavailable", preventing residents from independently reviewing the full evidence base and undermining transparency within the planning process.

Recent developments and proposals would result in approximately 1,000 new homes being built in Thornton (an area that the parish recorded 976 homes in the 2021 census), despite the parish already facing significant infrastructure challenges, including:

• Only one secondary school, which is already oversubscribed (Catholic).
• No primary school within the parish.
• No full-time GP surgery.
• No public parks.
• No indoor community facilities.
• Frequent traffic congestion and increased pollution.
• A dramatic increase in near-misses and accidents, especially Moor Lane.

Residents are also concerned that the potential flood risk associated with these developments has not been adequately considered. Parts of Sefton have experienced increasing incidents of surface water accumulation, drainage issues and localised flooding during periods of heavy rainfall. The addition of extensive new housing, roads and other impermeable surfaces has the potential to increase surface water runoff and place further pressure on already stretched drainage systems. Local residents believe that a comprehensive and transparent assessment of flood risk, drainage capacity and the cumulative impact of multiple developments must be undertaken before any development of this scale is approved.

Furthermore, the justification for these developments is increasingly difficult to understand. According to listings on Rightmove, approximately 1,170 homes are currently for sale and a further 233 properties are available to rent within five miles of the most recent proposal. In addition, Sefton Council's own figures indicate that there are approximately 2,100 vacant properties across the borough.

Before approving large-scale developments on green spaces and placing additional strain on roads, schools, healthcare services and community facilities, greater priority should be given to bringing existing empty homes back into use and ensuring that current housing stock is being utilised effectively. Residents reasonably question whether new developments should proceed at this scale when a substantial number of properties already remain vacant across Sefton.

Rather than approving developments that place further pressure on already stretched infrastructure, the focus should be on making better use of existing housing stock while addressing the shortcomings in local services that current residents experience every day.

Housing growth must be supported by the necessary infrastructure to ensure existing and future residents have access to essential services and facilities. Until meaningful improvements are made to transport, healthcare, education, drainage and community provision, these proposals cannot be considered sustainable or appropriate for the area.

We call upon Sefton Council to halt the progression of new developments and undertake a transparent, evidence-based review demonstrating that the necessary infrastructure will be delivered, that local services can accommodate further growth, that flood and drainage risks have been fully assessed, and that all requirements of the Local Plan and National Planning Policy Framework have been satisfied.

New housing should be delivered in a way that is sustainable, transparent and in the best interests of both current and future residents.

Residents are not opposed to responsible development. However, development must be supported by adequate schools, healthcare provision, community facilities, transport links, drainage infrastructure and environmental protections. Until these fundamental issues are addressed, these proposals should be withdrawn or deferred.

Sign this petition to support sustainable planning, proper infrastructure investment, flood protection, greater transparency, and decisions that put existing and future Sefton residents first.