Formby & Little Altcar - Sefton · 2020. 12. 4. · 1 FOREWORD Formby is a great town with a unique...

Formby &Little Altcar

Neighbourhood Development Plan2012 to 2030

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FOREWORDFormby is a great town with a unique heritage and a dynamic future. Investment and changein the years ahead will only be worthwhile if it makes a real difference to the lives of localpeople and the future of its community. 1

The Formby and Little Altcar Neighbourhood Development Plan, [The Plan] being writtenjointly by the Parish Councils of Formby and Little Altcar, started back in September 2013. TheParish Councils wanted the people of Formby and Little Altcar to have a say in all aspects ofthe future of the town; addressing the issues surrounding housing, infrastructure, health andwellbeing, the environment, and include natural/heritage assets. However, most importantly,it wanted local people to decide what they wanted in their community.

The Plan sets out a vision for the area that reflects the thoughts and feelings of local peoplewith a real interest in their community. It sets objectives on key themes such as movingaround, housing, employment, green space and community facilities and builds on currentand planned activity. The Parish Councils are committed to developing and strengtheningcontacts with the groups that have evolved because of the Neighbourhood Planning process.We believe that by working together to implement the Plan it will make Formby an evenbetter place to live, work and enjoy.

We have had to ensure that our Neighbourhood Plan is consistent, where appropriate, withthe emerging Sefton Local Plan2, the 2012 National Planning Policy Framework, subsequentupdates, and guidance notes. Following scrutiny by an examiner and once approved by thecommunity in a referendum, the Plan becomes a legal document and is accepted by SeftonMBC to become part of the development plan for Formby and Little Altcar.

The plan will direct future development in Formby and Little Altcar to meet the changingneeds of the community over the next 15 years or so. It indicates where and whendevelopment should take place, and what additional community facilities we will requirebecause of it. We believe that the Plan addresses all of the key issues facing Formby and LittleAltcar in successfully completing this phase of growth in the town’s long history. It alsoensures that new housing development is contained within a sensible development boundary.

The plan provides for homes suited to those in later life, growing families, those seeking lowcost starter homes and ensures that sufficient accessible public open green space and parksare allocated within new developments. There is a provision to review the plan every fiveyears so that we can reflect changing needs over time.

My heartfelt thanks go to all those who have worked so hard to bring this plan together andto the whole community for the positive response you have shown.

Cllr Maria BennettChair of Formby and Little Altcar Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group

1 Producing this Plan has been extremely difficult taking into account the various constraints on the land and concerns of local people.Unfortunately, the planning system, in its current form, is unable to take an holistic approach when addressing flooding and flood risk to thecommunity. As this plan has not allocated any land but works with land already allocated via the emerging Sefton Local Plan, we reserve ourright to object to any application that does not demonstrate that it has fully addressed the flooding issues. The evidence base and floodmanagement section of this Plan demonstrates beyond any doubt that the community is determined to do something meaningful withregards to addressing the very real ongoing risk of flooding in Formby.

2 It should be noted that any land allocated in the emerging Sefton Local Plan be removed from the emerging Sefton Local Plan, then thisland will also be removed from the Neighbourhood Plan and will not be supported for development, likewise if any additional land isincluded then this will have to be included in the neighbourhood development plan.

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C O N T E N T S

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SECTION 2 Introduction to Formby and Litt le Altcar

SECTION 3 A Vision for Formby and Litt le Altcar

SECTION 4 Introduction to Neighbourhood Plan Policies

SECTION 5 Site Specif ic Requirements

APPENDIX A Summary of Consultation Questionnaire

2.1 History of Formby ................................................................................................page 112.2 Tourism & Wildlife ................................................................................................page 122.3 Key facts for Formby and Little Altcar ................................................................page 132.4 Biodiversity ............................................................................................................page 152.5 Heritage ................................................................................................................page 182.6 Grade II listed buildings a brief description of a few ........................................page 202.7 Listed buildings in Formby and Little Altcar ......................................................page 222.8 Locally listed heritage ..........................................................................................page 232.9 Consultation on the draft Formby and Little AltcarNeighbourhood Plan ..................................................................................................page 24

3.1 Formby and Little Altcar Today ............................................................................page 273.2 Constraints of Formby and Little Altcar ..............................................................page 313.3 Issues that have influenced the vision ................................................................page 393.4 Vision Statement and Core Objectives ................................................................page 40

4.1 Neighbourhood Plan Policies ..............................................................................page 454.2 General policies ....................................................................................................page 454.3 Housing ..................................................................................................................page 474.4 Working and shopping ........................................................................................page 514.5 Getting around ......................................................................................................page 534.6 Community, leisure and wellbeing ......................................................................page 554.7 Environment, sustainability and design ..............................................................page 564.8 Flooding ................................................................................................................page 61

1.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................page 51.2 How the Neighbourhood Plan fits into the planning system..............................page 71.3 What is the Neighbourhood Plan ..........................................................................page 71.4 How this Plan is organised ....................................................................................page 7

APPENDIX B Glossary

SECTION 6 Developers working with the Community

MN2.16 Land at Liverpool Road ................................................................................page 69MN2.12 Land at Bracken Way ....................................................................................page 71MN2.19 Land at Andrews Close ................................................................................page 75MN2.18 Land at Hoggs Hill Lane ................................................................................page 79MN2.15 Land at Formby PDC Centre, Park Road ......................................................page 81MN2.13 Land at West Lane ........................................................................................page 83MN2.48 Land North of Formby Industrial Estate ......................................................page 85MN2.17 Land at Altcar Lane ......................................................................................page 87MN2.14A Land at Shorrocks Hill ................................................................................page 89

6.1 Expectations/requirements from developers ....................................................page 91

SECTION 1 Introduction

Summary of questionnaires ......................................................................................page 94

Glossary ....................................................................................................................page 110

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1.1 INTRODUCTION1.1.1 The Formby and Little Altcar Neighbourhood

Development Plan (the Plan)is a new type ofplanning document. It is part of the Government’snew approach to planning, which aims to givelocal people more say about what goes on in theirarea. This is set out in the ‘Localism Act’ that cameinto force in April 2011.

1.1.2 In March 2013, Formby & Little Altcar ParishCouncils submitted an application to SeftonCouncil to have Formby and Little Altcar Parishesdesignated as a Neighbourhood Plan area.Following public consultation on the proposeddesignation area by Sefton Council, Formby andLittle Altcar Parish Councils determined to workjointly to prepare a Neighbourhood Plan for thewhole of the Formby area. This was approved bySefton’s Cabinet in September 2013. TheDesignated Neighbourhood Plan Area is shown in[Map 1 - Page 6]. [Map 2 - Page 6 shows theparishes within the NDP area]

1.1.3 A Steering Group comprising of Parish Councillorsfrom the 2 Parishes, was established in November2013 with the initial aim to widen membership ofthe group to include a mix of local residents andrepresentatives of business and communityorganisations. With this in mind, some earlypromotional and engagement activity wasorganised to raise awareness of the proposedNeighbourhood Plan and to attract furthermembership of the group. This included:

l Press coverage in the local press

l Launch of a new bespoke Parish Councilwebsite, incorporating a dedicated section forthe neighbourhood plan.

l Direct mailing to known local groups andindividuals active in the community.

l Invitations to a first, “launch” type steeringgroup meeting in Jan 2014.

1.1.4 The local planning authority, through theemerging Sefton Local Plan, addresses strategicplanning issues, such as the proposed housingnumbers for Formby and possible changes to theGreen Belt boundary. However, we will alsoaddress the housing figures, employment andeconomic growth for Formby in theNeighbourhood plan process.

1.1.5 Sefton Council is the lead Authority as per theHabitats Directive (Guidance on competentauthority coordination under the HabitatsRegulation 2012) and paragraph 028 ID 11-028-20150209 of the PPG (Practical PlanningGuidance). Hence in the first instance, Sefton isresponsible for determining whether the NDP willrequire a Strategic Environmental Assessment(SEA) If a SEA is required it will be prepared bySefton Borough Council.

1.1.6 Given the fact that the NDP does not propose toallocate sites that have not already been broughtforward by Sefton’s Local Plan and allenvironmental effects have been considered anddealt with by the sustainability appraisal of theLocal Plan along with modified HRA’s andproposed mitigation which form part of theshared evidence base, the NDP is unlikely torequire a SEA. (see paragraph 046 ID 11-046-20150209 of the PPG).

1.1.7 The Plan provides a vision for the future of thetown, and sets out clear planning policies torealise this vision. These policies accord withhigher level planning policy, as required by theLocalism Act.

1.1.8 The Plan has been developed through extensiveconsultation with the people of Formby and LittleAltcar and others with an interest in the town.Details of the consultation have been recorded ina series of reports that are available to downloadfrom Formby Parish Council’s website:(www.formbyparishcouncil.org.uk) or areavailable at Formby Library.

1.1.9 A Consultation Statement provides an overviewof the consultation, demonstrating that it fullyaccords with the requirements of the LocalismAct. This consultation has included meeting therequirements of Regulation 14 of theNeighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations2012. The Plan has been amended whereappropriate in response to consultationcomments.

1.1.10 Formby and Little Altcar NeighbourhoodDevelopment Plan is prepared using the NPPFframework which states:

“At the heart of the National Planning PolicyFramework is a presumption in favour of sustainabledevelopment” [para. 14].Neighbourhood planning gives communities directpower to develop a shared vision for theirneighbourhood and deliver the sustainabledevelopment they need. Parishes and neighbourhoodforums can use neighbourhood planning to:l set planning policies through neighbourhood plans

to determine decisions on planning applications;and:

l grant planning permission through NeighbourhoodDevelopment Orders and Community Right to BuildOrders for specific development which complieswith the order. [para. 183]

Neighbourhood planning provides a powerful set oftools for local people to ensure that they get the righttypes of development for their community. Theambition of the neighbourhood should be aligned withthe strategic needs and priorities of the wider localarea. Neighbourhood plans must be in generalconformity with the strategic policies of the Local Plan.To facilitate this, local planning authorities should setout clearly their strategic policies for the area andensure that an up-to-date Local Plan is in place asquickly as possible. Neighbourhood plans should

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reflect these policies and neighbourhoods should planpositively to support them. Neighbourhood plans andorders should not promote less development than setout in the Local Plan or undermine its strategic policies[para.184].Outside these strategic elements, neighbourhood planswill be able to shape and direct sustainabledevelopment in their area. Once a neighbourhood plan

has demonstrated its general conformity with thestrategic policies of the Local Plan and is brought intoforce, the policies it contains take precedence overexisting non-strategic policies in the Local Plan for thatneighbourhood, where they are in conflict. Localplanning authorities should avoid duplicating planningprocesses for non-strategic policies where aneighbourhood plan is in preparation [para.185]”.

Map 1 - Formbyand Little AltcarNeighbourhoodPlan Area


Map 2 - Formbyand Little AltcarNeighbourhoodPlan Area relatingto Parishes

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1.2 HOW THE NEIGHBOURHOODPLAN FITS INTO THE PLANNINGSYSTEM1.2.1 Although the Government’s intention is for local

people to decide what goes on in their towns, theLocalism Act sets out some important laws. One ofthese is that all Neighbourhood Plans must haveregard to national planning policy. That is,Neighbourhood Plans must be in line with theNational Planning Policy Framework (otherwiseknown as the NPPF) and local policy. This plan willcontribute towards achieving sustainabledevelopment.

1.2.2 Neighbourhood Plans must not breach and shouldbe otherwise compatible with EuropeanRegulations on strategic environmentalassessment and habitat regulations.

1.2.3 The Formby & Little Altcar NDP is undergoing aSEA screening scope and should an SEA berequired will be prepared in accordance with theEU Directive 2001/42 on Strategic EnvironmentalAssessment (SEA) to ensure that its policies do notbreach and are otherwise compatible withEuropean obligations.

1.2.4 In doing so, the Formby & Little AltcarNeighbourhood plan has also sought todemonstrate that its policies contribute toachieving sustainable development, as required byRegulation 15 of the 2012 Regulations and bySection 4B (6) and 8 of the Town and CountryPlanning Act 1990.

1.2.5 The Plan can give local people the power todecide “where” new housing and employmentshould go, and how the town centre shouldchange however, this plan does not allocate landfor housing or employment but works with thevarious site allocations in the emerging SeftonLocal Plan which has been through a publicinquiry.

1.3 WHAT IS THE NEIGHBOURHOODPLAN1.3.1 Although deciding where new housing and new

employment should go is an important part of thePlan, it is about much more than this. The Plan is aplan for the town as a whole. It looks at a widerange of issues. As a community we are able toinfluence:

�l the scale and design of new development

�l that all new housing developments wheremore than 50 dwellings, should provide fornew open public green space

�l consider infrastructure to include traffic andtransport issues and road safety

�l ensure there is access to school places, health

facilities, shops, employment and communityservices

�l how new retail should support the towncentre

�l whether new community facilities are neededand where they should go

�l to address the current tourism we have andhow this should be developed in the future

l support existing and new business whilstmaintaining the character of the town [thevillage]

�l encourage healthy activities such as walkingand cycling

1.3.2 The Environment and Heritage assets are also veryimportant and we aim to protect and improvegreen spaces in and around Formby and LittleAltcar, protect greenbelt where we can andprotect all woodland and accessible open spaces.

1.4 HOW THIS PLAN IS ORGANISED1.4.1 This Plan is divided into various sections to

include:

Section 2: Introduction to Formby and LittleAltcar which sets out:2.1 The history of Formby2.2 Tourism and Wildlife2.3 Key facts for Formby & Little Altcar2.4 Biodiversity2.5 Heritage2.6 Consultation on the draft Formby and Little

Altcar Neighbourhood Plan

Section 3: A Vision for Formby & Little Altcarwhich sets out:3.1 A description of Formby & Little Altcar today3.2 Constraints of Formby & Little Altcar3.3 Flooding and Drainage issues 3.4 The issues that have influenced the vision3.5 Vision Statement and Core Objectives3.6 The future vision for Formby & Little Altcar

Section 4: Neighbourhood Development PlanPolicies which sets out:4.1 Policies to support the overall vision.

Section 5: Site Specific Requirements which setsout:5.1 site-specific policies for the allocated

residential sites and employment site

Section 6: Developers working with theCommunity which sets out:6.1 Expectations/requirements from developers

Appendix A: Summary of ConsultationQuestionnaireAppendix B: Glossary

Fig 1 - Location of Formby and Little Altcar in relation to other towns and cities

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1.4.2 This entire document forms the NeighbourhoodDeveopment Plan for Formby and Little Altcar.The Plan’s policies are contained in Section 4.

1.4.3 There is a large amount of backgroundinformation that has helped in producing the Plan[known as the ‘Evidence Base’]. A summarydocument [Formby Neighbourhood Plan: EvidenceBase Summary] is available at Appendix C. Thisprovides an overview of key parts of the EvidenceBase.

1.4.4 Understanding Formby and Little Altcar is thestarting point for producing a good

Neighbourhood Plan. This is because the Formby& Little Altcar NDP is an opportunity to plan thetown’s future. What are the problems that thePlan could address? What are the opportunitiesthe Plan could make the most of?

1.4.5 Fig 1 [below] shows Formby and Little Altcar inrelation to other towns and cities nearby.

1.4.6 Map 3 [page 9] shows the area of Sefton andhighlights where Formby is in respect of thewhole of the Sefton area.

Map 3 - Formby and Little Altcar in relation to other areas within Sefton Borough

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SECTION 2 Introduction to Formby and Little Altcar

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2.1 HISTORY OF FORMBY2.1.1 First evidence of human activity in this area can

be traced back some 3,500 to 4,000 years whichwas evidenced when footprints of Neothlithicand early Bronze Age communities werediscovered in layers of mud and sediments aftersand on Formby Beach had been eroded Today ,the Parish of Formby is made up of several verysmall villages that expanded over the mid to late1900's and merged into one with some areas inits jurisdiction maintaining its name andcharacter such as Freshfield whereas Little Altcarhas retained its distinctive character as a Parishin its own right. Formby and Little Altcar isconsidered to be one of the oldest settlements inMerseyside and thought to have been foundedduring the Viking era.

2.1.2 Interestingly the vast majority of the oldestbuildings within the area are found in theFreshfield half of the village. The other historicpart of the areas rich history is, sadly, beingeroded and lost very quickly into the Irish Seaincluding the world’s first ever lifeboat station.

2.1.3 The first people to take land and trade herewere seafaring Vikings who establishedsettlements along the north west coast,benefiting from easy access to the sea via localrivers and estuaries such as the Mersey and RiverAlt during the early 10th century

2.1.4 Formby village and Little Altcar are within theborough of Sefton, Merseyside. The Parishes fallbetween Liverpool and Southport on the NorthWest Coast Its coastal rural location andproximity to major transport networks makes it avery desirable place to live. Consequently,finding building land here is very difficult as itsboundaries are set and held in place by greenbelt and the coastline including the variousnature reserves, SSSIs and Ramsar sites.

2.1.5 The Parishes are bounded to the west by the sea.Extensive high sand dunes, covered with aluxuriant growth of creeping willows and stargrass, bound the beach, the latter beingsystematically planted to keep the sand fromdrifting away. Wildlife abounds on these dunes,with rabbits, foxes, sand lizards and natterjacktoads regularly being seen. The land is strictlypreserved, with The National Trust beinginvolved in its management. Only a fewfootpaths cross the forbidden ground in someplaces.

2.1.6 The sand dunes afford shelter from the seawinds for what were the 3 villages of Formby,Formby-by-the-Sea, and Freshfield, which nowcome under Formby Parish and to the south ofFormby lies Little Altcar. The whole area consists

of flat, sandy land, surrounded by fieldsintersected by ditches, where rye, wheat,potatoes and a variety of market produceflourish, including fields of asparagus, a specialtyof the district. Fishing for shrimps and raking thesands for cockles affords employment to some ofthe inhabitants. Formby sand dunes are famousto local botanists as the habitat of severaluncommon and characteristic wild plants,incluidng the Wintergreen, Pyrola rotund folia,var. maritima.

2.1.7 Historically Formby and Little Altcar fell underthe jurisdiction of Lancashire and the earliestrecords of the communities can be found in TheDoomsday Book of 1086 AD in which Formby(Fornebei), Little Altcar (Part of Altcar) andRaven Moels (Moels) are mentioned and theTenant in Chief was Roger of Poitou The town'searly recorded industry points to cockle raking,and shrimp fishing (in addition to arableventures) which last through into the 19thcentury. By 1872 the township and sub-districtwas made up of two chapelries (St. Peter and St.Luke), and contained Birkdale township, thehamlets of Ainsdale and Raven-Meols, and Altcarparish. Formby was built on the plain adjoiningthe Irish Sea coast a few miles north of theCrosby channel where the sands afford shelter tothe towns.

2.1.8 The greater area is a popular tourist destinationduring the summer months, with day trippersattracted to its beaches, sand dunes, and wildlife- most particularly the red squirrels andNatterjack toads. The area is conserved by theNational Trust, and designated a site of SpecificScientific Interest and is also a RAMSAR site.

2.1.9 Erosion of sand on the beach at Formby isrevealing layers of mud and sediment laid downand covered in the late Neolithic/early BronzeAge, approximately 3,500 - 4,000 years ago.These sediments often contain the footprints ofhumans and animals (most commonly aurochs)from that period.

2.1.10 The common place-name ending “-by” is fromthe Scandinavian “byr” meaning homestead,settlement or village. The name of Formby wasoriginally spelt Fornebei and means "villagebelonging to Forni".

2.1.11 It was around 902 AD when the first wave ofNorse Vikings started to settle in the regionfollowing their expulsion from Dublin. Aftertheir return to Ireland in 917 AD settlements andtrading across the sea and navigation in landbecame common place across the North WestTradition says that the Viking invaders failed todefeat the native Anglo-Saxons on the coast atFormby, so they sailed inland, up the River Alt,

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and attacked from the rear. Dangus Lane, on theeast side of the village, is sometimes calledDanesgate Land, being connected by localtraditions with this incursion.

2.1.12 Formby beach is the location of the first lifeboatstation in the UK, established as early as 1776 byWilliam Hutchinson, Dock Master for theLiverpool Common Council. It was the firstlifeboat station in the United Kingdom, andpossibly the world. One night, two yearsprevious, eighteen ships were stranded at themouth of the Mersey drowning 75 people. Thefoundations of the last of the lifeboat stationbuildings remain on the beach. The last launchtook place in 1916. Remarkably a film survives ofthis event.

2.1.13 Formby is home to RAF Woodvale, a small RAFstation on the outskirts of the town. The airfieldopened in 1941 and is an ex WW2 fighter stationwith three active runways, the main runwaybeing a mile in length. Today it is used by RAFfor light aircraft and fighter training, as well as afew civilian aircraft. The station was also hometo Merseyside Police's helicopter, known as 'MikeOne'. The RAF Station was also home to the lastever operational service of the British legend,the Spitfire. In 1957 the last Spitfire was to flywith military markings in Britain took off fromRAF Woodvale on an operational mission.

2.1.14 Until 1974, Formby was an urban district (FormbyUrban District) within the administrative countyof Lancashire. Since 1 April 1974, it has formedpart of the Metropolitan Borough of Sefton, inMerseyside.

2.1.15 Formby is a coastal town roughly 7 sq miles (17km). The town is built on the west of a large flatarea of land called the West Lancashire CoastalPlain. The town is 1.5 feet (0.5 metres) below sealevel at its lowest point. Formby's highest pointis within the sand dunes that separate the IrishSea from Formby, sand dunes are ever changingin shape and formation so there is no fixedpoint. The River Alt runs in to the Irish Sea justsouth of Formby at Hightown.

2.1.16 The town is rurally landlocked. The landbetween Formby and the areas of Southport,Ormskirk and Liverpool is green belt land and isused for arable agricultural purposes. The areasaround the urban fringe are drained byirrigation ditches and open areas get boggy inthe winter months. Earth in urban areas is welldrained, very loose and sandy.

2.1.17 The section of land between Formby and thecoast is varied in vegetation, wildlife and terrain.This area includes natural and manmade pineforests, sand dunes, marram grass, deciduouswoodland, seasonal ponds and lakes. Large areasof this land are protected by the National Trust.

2.1.18 Formby is in a temperate climate zone, with mildwinters and warm summers. Formby's biggestthreat is global warming as the town is built ona flood plain, being situated next to the coastand being below sea level.

2.2 TOURISM AND WILDLIFE2.2.1 Formby has a significant tourist industry most

notably between the warmer months of Mayand September. In particular it's popular withday trippers from Liverpool and other industrialtowns in Merseyside and West Lancashire.

2.2.2 Formby is famous for many things including itslong white sandy beach which tourists flock to inthe summer months.

2.2.3 To the west of the town lay the pinewoods andsand dunes. The whole of the coastline here ismanaged as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC)for its important wildlife reserves by SeftonCoast Partnership.

2.2.4 The pine woods at Victoria Road have beenestablished as a National Trust reserve for thered squirrel, listed on the endangered specieslist. Formby is one of several sites in Britainwhere the red squirrel can still be found.


Formby Beach

The Pinewoods

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2.2.5 Formby is also famous for the presence ofNatterjack toads and is only one of a few sites inEngland where they will breed. Later in theevening the male's distinctive song can be heardand is known locally as the ‘Bootle Organ’. Inspring the males gather at the edge of shallowpools in the dune slacks and sing to attract amate. The Sefton Coast and Countryside Serviceare working hard to keep these pools fromgrowing over so that that they are ready eachspring for this annual event.

2.2.6 Locally grown Formby Asparagus is popular andcelebrated near and far. Chef’s and gourmetsalike laud its praises. Once the season starts andthe first of Formby's new season crop is on themarket, the 'Twitter-sphere' is always busy withlinks and references. The local ‘terroir’ helps toproduce a uniquely sweet flavour in the freshly-cut asparagus. It is the combination of theclimate, the soil type and the water availability.There’s a very high water table so we don’t haveto irrigate, and it’s virtually pure sand, whichasparagus loves.

2.3 KEY FACTS FOR FORMBY AND LITTLE ALTCAR1

2.3.1 The following statistics are drawn from a varietyof sources, most especially the 2011 Census,Sefton’s Formby Ward Profile, April 2015 bySefton Business Intelligence & Performance Teamand Sefton’s 2014 Strategic Housing MarketAssessment November 2014.

2.3.2 DEMOGRAPHICS

l 23,329 population (52% female) 2011Formby’s population has fallen by between 4-5% since 2001. The 2013 interim populationfigure suggest this trend has continued.

l Density is 9.5 people per hectare (4.1,England) at 2011.

l 13,488 working age adult, 58% (66% England)at 2011.

l 3,756 children under 16, 16% (18% England)at 2011.

l 6,085 older people over 65, 26% (16%England) at 2011.

l Some 854 residents were not born in UK whilst96% of Formby’s residents are White British

1 Key facts for Formby and Little Altcar [evidence base EBQ1]

National Trust Reserve

The Red Squirrel

The Natterjack Toad

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(80% UK) and 31 non UK born residentsarrived in Formby since 2001(2011 census).

l 10,712 economically active residents 46%,(70% England) at 2011.

l 1,626 self-employed 15% (14% England) at2011.

l 637 working mainly from home 6% ofEconomically Active (5% England).

According to the NOMIS Data for FormbyTownship2 from May 2014 there are 1,050working age people residing in the FormbyTownship claiming benefits.

This equates to 8% of the townships workingaged residents, this is half the rate in Sefton andthe North West (17% and 16%) and lower thanthe rate in England (13%).

One in 5 of all JSA benefits claimants in theTownship are aged between 18-24 year olds, areduction of 69% (65 to 20) between January2014 and 2015.

2.3.3 HOUSEHOLDS

l 9,415 households at 2011.

l 753 lone parent households 8% (12%England) at 2011.

l 1692 single pensioner households 17% (12%England) at 2011.

The DCLG divides England into Lower SuperOutput Areas (LSOA) and collects data relatingto deprivation using Indices of MultipleDeprivation (IMD). There are broadly 16 areasrelating to the Neighbourhood Plan.

Formby residents live in some of the leastdeprived areas nationally. A new set of datarelating to 2015 is due to be published soon.

2.3.5 CHILDREN OF LOW INCOME FAMILIES

Children of Low-Income Families is defined as:Children living in families in receipt of either outof work, or tax credits whose reported income isless than 60 per cent of the median income or inreceipt of IS or (Income-Based) JSA, divided bythe total number of children in the area(determined by Child Benefit data) and is a proxymeasure for child poverty.

As with other forms of deprivation, some of theleast affected areas for low income familieswithin Sefton are within the Formby with 6.7%(18% England)3 of children coming from low-income families.

2.3.6 INCOME DEPRIVATION AFFECTING OLDERPEOPLE

The Neighbourhood Plan area is made up ofsixteen LSOA’s, none of which are within the top20% of deprived areas within Sefton. Formbyhas some of the least deprived areas in Sefton.

2.3.7 HOMES

In terms of housing Formby is characterised byhaving a high percentage of detached housingrelative to England as a whole. Given thequalitative difference in housing in Formbycompared to the average for the rest of Sefton itis perhaps not surprising that house prices tendto be higher.

The method of tenure is dominated by owneroccupation. Owned outright 51% (48% England)2011.

The rental sector is comparatively small inFormby but is likely to be more important in thefuture. Social rented Housing was 3% (18%England) in 2011. Private Rental was 6% (17%England) in 2011.

2.3.8 COUNCIL TAX

The Council Tax band data for 2011 shows thecontribution that Formby makes to Sefton’sCouncil Tax Yield.

2.3.9 TRANSPORT

l 1235 households with no car 13% (26%England) at 2011.

l 4241 households with 2 or more cars 43%(32% England) at 2011.

l Approximately 60% of working residentscommute out of Formby to Work.

l There are approximately 1,600 registered bluebadge holders in Formby and Little Altcar.

l In general, economically active residentsoverwhelmingly use the car/van to travel towork 78% (62% England), train/bus 18% (12%England), cycle/walk 2% (11% England &bicycle 2% (walk 3% England) at 2011.

l Formby has 2 fully subscribed SecondarySchools and 7 primary schools.

Band Formby (%) Sefton (%) England

F-H 18.2 5.5 9.1

E 18.1 6.5 9.4

D 25.2 11.8 15.3

C 30.8 24 21.8

B 5.3 21.2 19.6

A 2.3 31 24.8


2 This includes a small number of residents who are in Ince Blundellwhich is not part of the Neighbourhood Plan

3 Source: HMRC – August 2012

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2.3.10 HEALTH

l According to the Census 2011, general healthwithin Formby is higher than the rest of theborough, with 81% (19,444) of residentsdescribing their general health as either goodor very good, compared to 78% in Sefton,79% in the North West and 81% across thenation as a whole.

l Life Expectancy Males 80.2 (78.9 England) at2011.

l Life Expectancy Females 85.7 (82.8 England) at2011.

l 13% (3,145) of Formby residents are providingunpaid care, this is similar to the rate in Seftonas a whole (13%), however higher than therate in the North West (11%) and England(10%). 3% of residents provide over 50 hoursunpaid care which is similar to the Sefton rate.

2.3.11 THE LABOUR FORCE

Formby has some of the best educated residentsin England. Both the two secondary schools andthe 7 primary schools achieve results above thenational average.

Formby’s workforce is dominated by managerial,technical and professional workers.

2.3.12 ECONOMY

At present Formby has one Business Park atStephenson Way which is home to over 40businesses engaged in a variety of activitiesincluding building and construction, lightmanufacturing, car repairs, wholesale and someretail. There is also a small business park onLiverpool Road, known as the Mayflower Estate.We have smaller business units/office space inand around Formby based at Cross Green, DukeStreet Church Road and Piercefield Road.

2.4 BIODIVERSITY“Nowhere in the whole of the county is the workof the builder, year by year, becoming moreapparent, so the writer has thought that acomprehensive list of the identified species whichhave occurred in the Formby district will not beout of place, if only as a record to be referred towhen "there was no more country." Green fieldsand acres of muddy plough-land are graduallymoving further and further away, as what wasonce the little village of Formby grows and growsinto what will soon be a town of considerableimportance” (Notes on the Bird Life of Formby,John Wrigley, 1892).

2.4.1 Formby has since become a town of considerableimportance, at the same time residents havelargely retained their connection to the natural

setting within which the town resides. Whensurveyed for the Neighbourhood Plan residentsresponded strongly in support of the statementthat any development must “Avoid damage towildlife”. Furthermore, when asked “howimportant natural amenities were includingwildlife and coastline” to the quality of life inFormby, 97% said it was Important or veryImportant.

2.4.2 Formby & Little Altcar Parish Councils have aduty to conserve biodiversity under the NaturalEnvironment and Rural Communities (NERC) Act2006. Government Guidance on the NERC Actincludes recommendations to identify local sitesof importance for biodiversity and to protectand enhance biodiversity within themanagement of local authority land holdings.

2.4.3 Most of the Neighbourhood Plan area sits withinthe third tier of the Site of Special ScientificInterest (SSSI) Impact Risk Zone, there are 6conservation sites of local, national andinternational importance:

l Ribble and Alt Estuary Ramsar Site.

l Ainsdale Sand Dunes National Nature Reserve(SSSI).

l National Trust Formby (SSSI).

l Lancashire Wildlife Trust Dune Heath (SSSI).

l Cabin Hill National Nature Reserve (SSSI).

l Ravenmeols Hills Local Nature Reserve (SSSI).

2.4.4 In addition to these statutory designated sitesthe land surrounding Formby provides manyimportant habitats and green corridors thatcontribute significantly to our local biodiversity.Conservation of species and habitats can give aboost to local tourism, improve the image of anarea, provide environments for recreation,leisure and education and also create newemployment opportunities.

2.4.5 The National Planning Policy Framework makesit clear that pursuing sustainable developmentincluded moving from a net loss of Biodiversityto achieving net gains for nature.

2.4.6 Since 1994, Local Biodiversity Action Plans(LBAPs) have been created by Local BiodiversityPartnerships. The North Merseyside BiodiversityAction Plan was last updated in 2012, it focuseson local priorities and also implements nationalbiodiversity targets. Habitat and Species ActionPlans were devised to address concerns overpriority species. Poor land management andchange in land usage being of upmost concern.Field Boundaries, hedgerows, hedge-banks,drains, buffer strips and ditches contain a largeproportion of the biodiversity in arablelandscapes. Hedgerows and field margins

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provide crucial habitats for a range of farmlandspecies. Key species include: Corn Bunting, ReedBunting, Tree Sparrow, Grey Partridge, Barn Owl,Song Thrush, Yellow Hammer, Linnet, GreatCrested Newt, bats, small mammals, Brown Hare,Water Vole and Purple Ramping-fumitory. Evenspecies-poor hedgerows provide importantfeeding and breeding sites for birds andforaging sites for bats.1

2.4.7 Development risks harming biodiversity throughloss of habitat, inappropriate or insensitivemanagement of land, drainage ditches, dredgingand bankside maintenance as well as the loss ofditches to culverts. Urbanisation increasespotential for pollutants to enter the ecosystem,threatening habitat decline.

2.4.8 The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF)Paragraph 117 sets out how “to minimiseimpacts on biodiversity and geodiversity, topromote the preservation, restoration andrecreation of priority habitats, ecologicalnetworks and the protection and recovery ofpriority species populations, linked to nationaland local targets”.

2.4.9 National Planning Policy Guidance (NPPG) onBiodiversity and Ecosystems paragraph 016 statesthat “information on biodiversity impacts andopportunities should inform all stages ofdevelopment including site selection, design(including any pre-application consultation) aswell as the application itself”. This is reflected inNPPF paragraph 114 where it says “LocalPlanning Authorities should set out a strategicapproach in their Local Plans planning positivelyfor the creation, protection, enhancement andmanagement of networks of biodiversity andgreen infrastructure”.

2.4.10 Formby and Little Altcar Neighbourhood Planwill seek to maximise biodiversity through greeninfrastructure and the integration of existingfeatures into new development. It will do thisby seeking opportunities to improve uponexisting infrastructure and actively promotingnew elements through the Planning processincluding:

a) Recreational green spaces supporting“Creative Conservation” making new spacesfor wildlife to develop and flourish.

b) Verges and buffer Zones promotinglandscape buffer strips and enhancing newand existing verges through goodmanagement and appropriate planting toencourage wildlife corridors strengtheninglocal ecological frameworks.

c) Gardens and Allotments by encouraging theirstrategic role in sustaining wildlife corridors,and promoting the part they can play as anurban refuge for wildlife.

d) Street trees, bushes and shelter beltssupporting urban tree planting andencouraging good maintenance followingthe Mersey Forest urban trees Action Planand the role that green streets can play inbiodiversity.

e) Green roofs and built structures which can, inaddition to providing wildlife habitats,reduce storm water runoff. Encouragingsmaller adjustments to building design canconsiderably increase its value to wildlife,such as bat and swift bricks.

2.4.10 Biodiversity and Climate Change

“Green infrastructure can help urban, rural andcoastal communities mitigate the risk of climatechange” (NPPG Biodiversity and Ecosystemsparagraph 30).

There has been a trend in Formby and LittleAltcar towards more frequent and prolongedspells of surface water flooding. Increasinglysevere incidences have been experiencedthroughout the UK. In the past Formby waspositively drained moving water quickly away sothat land could be used for agriculture andhousing.

Recently there has been a U-turn in how surfacewater is to be managed from positive drainageto onsite storage slowing the progress of waterto its final destination.

This strategy could accelerate the effects ofclimate change as mimicking a more naturaldrainage system could restore historic habitatssuch as marsh and wetlands. TheNeighbourhood Plan should maximiseopportunities to use green infrastructure toassist in contributing to surface andgroundwater management. Greeninfrastructure elements above, such as treeplanting, green roofs and buffer strips may assistin managing this change. Wildlife corridors willhelp to mitigate the effect of habitat change.

Map 4 on page 17 shows the various sites whichsurround Formby and Little Altcar.

1 Rebecca Jackson-Pitt, North Merseyside Biodiversity Action Plan

Field Boundaries

17

Map 4 - Designated Nature Sites

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2.5 HERITAGE2.5.1 Formby Civic Society have been invited to assist

in relation to its built and natural heritage assetsin Formby, particularly the former. Over andabove the obvious value of our Green LaneConservation Area and its listed buildings we willbe looking particularly at the quality of the builtenvironment and townscape more generally.

2.5.2 Our brief is:- ‘To ensure we can protect what we’ve got andoutline what we expect of the future. To includeconsideration of the appearance of buildings andensuring the character of Formby and LittleAltcar’.

2.5.3 This obviously includes not only the survivinglisted houses, farm buildings and cottages, inFormby and Little Altcar. It also includes CrossGreen, formerly the heritage centre of Formby,the site of the original village green, site of theannual village fair, overlooked by an oldthatched ale-house and the site of the villagecross, the stocks, and a small ‘lock-up’.

2.5.4 Other buildings, (or groups of), of architecturalor historical interest include (the unlisted),Freshfield House, the old Post Office, VictoriaHall, Gild Hall, the Churches, St Peters, St Lukes,Our Ladies, Holy Trinity, but also our other olderPubs, including the Grapes, Cross House, BayHorse and Freshfield, 2 of which were oncehotels.

2.5.5 The present-day village centre, Brows Lane,Chapel Lane and School Lane is obviously ofspecial importance. Its development from themid-19th century (as recorded on the Tithe Mapof 1845) to its present day hub of Formby lifeand business, represents all that has happened inFormby during the last century and a half.

Its importance has been recognised by the ParishCouncil and its future development must becarefully managed. Whilst its architecture is notexceptional it does tell an interesting tale of thetransition from rural village to the heart of animportant Merseyside community.

2.5.6 In its development from a purely ruralcommunity to modern suburb, the story of itsdevelopment of housing styles from traditionalvernacular thatched cottages through toVictorian/Edwardian style houses, together withmany ‘vernacular revival’ examples, adding tothe architectural interest of the township andneeds to be respected and preserved as far aspossible.

2.5.7 We not only have some interesting buildings butalso many surviving ‘structures of historicalinterest’. Unlisted in the past, these are nowbeing recorded and we hope (unlike the oldLifeboat Station), preserved for futuregenerations.

2.5.8 Good, interesting and health giving open spaces,Bills Lane, Dune Heath, Paradise Lane‘Conservation Corner’, also need to be preserved,along with open-air recreational facilities such asthe Cricket Club Ground, Formby Golf Club, the‘Tin-Tab’ (Timms Lane, Freshfield Bowling Club)and of course the remains of the manorialdemesne, Formby Hall and Formby House, nowthe ‘Sparrow Hawk’ Pub.

2.5.9 Finally we must not forget the remainingscattering of surviving farm-houses.

2.5.10 The older network of roads and lanes havehistoric, as well as amenity value. Victoria Rd, notone of the older roads is a particular case; theonly access to the National Trust ‘honeypot’ onthe one hand and an important route to one ofthe major post-war development areas on theother.

2.5.11 Maps 5 and 6 on page 19 show the HistoricEnvironment and Conservation/Listed Buildingswithin Formby and Little Altcar.

Cross Green

Map 5 - Formby & Little Altcar Neighbourhood Plan Area Historic Enviornment Record Map

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Map 6 - Formby & Little Altcar Neighbourhood Plan Area Conservation Area Record Map

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2.6 GRADE II LISTED BUILDINGS ABRIEF DESCIPTION OF A FEW2.6.1 TOWER HOUSE is one of the oldest properties in

Formby According to various sources, the historyof the property goes back to the 13th centurywhen it was a Grange, belonging successively toWhalley Abbey and the Abbots of Stanlawe.According to an old legend, the ReverendThomas Woodfall, Vicar of Formby, took over theGrange in 1563 and described it in his diary as‘an ancient building, old and ruiness’ so far as isknown, the property continued to be a smallfarmhouse with adjacent farm buildings until itwas acquired towards the end of the 19thcentury by a local surveyor, Mr Adkinson whosold off Tower House and built what is nowTower Grange at the western end of theproperty. Tower House itself was subsequentlyextended but the older rooms are apparentlypart of the old farm house.

2.6.2 ST LUKE'S is located to the west of the town ofFormby, and is surrois located to the west of thetown of Formby, and is surrounded by pine trees.The church was designated as a Grade II listedbuilding on 19 July 1966.

Little is known of the early history of the church,but the presence of a 12th-century font in thechurch is evidence that it stands on an ancientsite. This church was destroyed in a sandstorm in1739.

The idea for rebuilding a church on the site camein the 1840s from Rev Miles Formby, former vicarof St Thomas, Melling. He died in 1849, but thebuilding of the church was continued by hisolder brother Dr Richard Formby, who ownedand donated the land. The money for buildingthe church was given by Miles' widow and hissister, Mary. The church was dedicated to SaintLuke, the patron saint of doctors.

Tower House

Tower Grange

St Luke’s

St Luke’s

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It was designed by the Liverpool architectWilliam Culshaw. At this time only the nave andporch were built and these were consecrated bythe Rt Revd John Graham, Bishop of Chester onthe 14th December, 1854.

The chancel and transepts were added in 1897,and paid for by Caroline, daughter of Dr RichardFormby. It was the coming of the railway, andthe prospect of a growing seaside resort that ledto the building of a new church. Miles Formbyhad the idea. He died, but his sister, Mary, andhis brother, Richard, built the nave and porchand the Church was consecrated by the Bishop ofChester in 1855.The Chancel and Aisles wereadded by Richard's daughter Caroline in 1897 inmemory of her father.

Beautiful stained glass adorns the church forexample the Minnitt windows in the Chancel,the St Luke window in the west wall and aboveall the Rose Window which depicts all the localflowers.

The inscriptions in the west wall windows aremedical because Richard Formby was an eminentdoctor and a pioneer of anesthetics in the1830's. The pews are original and are numberedbecause people paid for a reserved seat in theold days. Not everything is old for it now has amodern 3 manual organ.

Memorials around the walls testify to thesacrifices made by village families and theFormby family in two World Wars. In the porchlies the gravestone of Richard Formby, armourbearer to Henry IV, who died in 1407. He isburied in York Minster but Dr Richard Formbyprovided a facsimile gravestone and was allowedto bring the original gravestone, damaged in afire in 1840, to St. Luke's.

The Churchyard remained open after the storm.The oldest grave dates from 1666, but themysterious God stone could be much older thanthat.

Also within the churchyard are the old VillageStocks.

One of its most notable graves is that of PercyFrench, the famous Irish entertainer and artistwho is buried there.

The God Stone

The village Stocks

The Grave of Percy French

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2,7 LISTED BUILDNGS IN FORMBYAND LITTLE ALTCAR2.7.1 There are 27 statutory Listed Buildings1 in

Formby and 5 Listed Buildings in Little Altcar.These are as follows:

1 http://list.english-heritage.org.uk/

Grade CriteriaII Particularly important buildings of more than special interest

II Buildings of national importance and special interest

1 Church of St Peter, Green Lane

2 Old Parsonage, Green Lane

3 Kew Farmhouse, Kew Road

4 White Cottage, 5 Massams Lane

5 Old Village Stocks approx. 30m South of Porch of St Luke’s Church

6 Cross approx. 30 m. south of chapel of 19.07.66 St. Luke's Church

7 Former Convent of Our Lady, School Lane

8 1 Southport Road

9 Dean’s Cottage, Park Avenue

10 Garswood, 8 Barkfield Lane

11 Stone Cross in centre of roundabout, Cross Green

12 May Cottage, 15A Green Lane

14 Sandhills Cottages, Albert Road

15 2 Church Road

16 21 Green Lane

17 Othello Restaurant, Othello Lane

18 Dovecote and adjacent walls approx. 57m to north of Formby Hall, Southport Old Road

19 Corner Cottage, Lintion Cottage, 2 Timms Lane

20 Tower House and Tower Grange, Grange Lane

21 62 Gores Lane

22 Sundial approx. 5.5m south of Church of St Peter

23 Old Spanker’s Cottage, 38 Liverpool Road

24 Church of St Luke, St Luke’s Church Road

25 Godstone approx. 53m south of St Luke’s Church

26 Formby Hall, Southport Old Road

27 Gores Lane, White Cottage

1 Hoggshill Farmhouse, 11 Hoggshill Lane

2 Lovelady’s Farmhouse, Liverpool Road

3 Stables to North of Lovelady’s Farmhouse

4 Pump and trough to South of Hoggshill Farmhouse

5 Barn to North West of Lovelady’s Farmhouse

LISTED BUILDNGS IN FORMBY

LISTED BUILDNGS IN LITTLE ALTCAR

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1. Navigation Beacon, end of Lifeboat Road(272063)

2. Navigation Beacon, “Crosby” Beacon(269063)

3. Tide Pole (upper)

4. Tide Pole (lower)

5. Cast iron boundary marker, Wicks Lanepath, opposite Larkhill Farm (282072)

6. Cast iron boundary marker, Wicks Lanepath, near Wicks Wood (274071)

7. Cast iron boundary marker, in inter-tidalzone

8. Milestone, Ince Blundell (303059)

9. World War 2, ROC observation post remains(277740553)

10. “Cold War”, ROC nuclear monitoring postremains (27740533)

11. World War 2 military rifle range (278058)

12. Ridge and furrow, Victoria Road (277080)

13. Firwood, St Luke’s

14. Stone Mounting Block, The Grapes Hotel

15. RAF Woodvale Control Tower, SD307102

16. Woodvale - Operations Room; Map RefSD317098

17. Bellman Hanger; SD 306102

18. Former WAAF Mess, (now used as a farmbuilding)

19. Artillery Pillbox, SD308056

20. Site of another Pill-box of a different typewas situated on the dunes overlooking thesea at the end of Victoria Road

21. Harington Barracks. Site (Guardroom at SD284077)

22. Harington Barracks Firing Range, (pistolsand rifles), SD 27610575

23. Stella Maris, SD 2800538. House built in1905, demolished in 1954, was intended tobe a Hotel, on the Formby promenade ( stillexisting under the dunes)

24. ‘Starfish’ Control Bunker (still standing) SD283054, at Range Lane

25. Royal Observer Corps posts SD 2774205537; site was originally a Royal Navalobservation post and during WW2 used asan aircraft observation post

26. The adjacent ROC Nuclear Monitoring Postwas built in 1962

27. Milestone SD 301074, Church Rd. Formby

28. Old Milestone SD 303059, Liverpool Rd,Little Altcar

29. Old Post Office &Telephone ExchangeSD296072, Brows Lane, Formby

30. Promenade, SD 27412 – 05797- 27576-05565

31. SD 27465-05802; site of former residentialhome, shown on 19/8 ordnance survey 25inch map as Stella Maris home. A radarstation during World War II.

32. Altcar Rifle Range; (part of), West of theRiver Alt, established in 1860

33. Prehistoric footprints; NSMR 2607-002; SD2600-0700; footprints

34. Boundary ditch, following Wicks Lane,seaward, NMSR 2707-001 SD 2742 0703-SD2785 0710

More comprehensive detailed descriptions canbe accessed in Appendix C.

2.8 LOCALLY LISTED HERITAGE

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2.9 CONSULTATION ON THE DRAFTFORMBY AND LITTLE ALTCARNEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN2.9.1 This Draft Neighbourhood Plan is published for

public consultation on a date to be set by thetwo Councils but it is anticipated to be inNovember 2016.

2.9.2 The Draft Neighbourhood Plan will be availablefor viewing and downloading from theNeighbourhood Plan websitehttp://www.formbyparishcouncil.org.uk andSefton Council’s websitehttps://www.sefton.gov.uk.

2.9.3 Hard copies of the Draft Neighbourhood Planwill be available for viewing in the followinglocations, during normal opening hours,including Formby Library, Formby Pool, SeftonCouncil to include Southport Town Hall, PlanningDepartment, Magdalene House, Bootle, FormbyHigh School web site.

2.9.4 In addition copies will be able to be loaned outvia Formby Library and Formby Parish Council fora period of one week.

2.9.5 Public Posters will be provided and put intochurches, Doctors, Dentists, local voluntaryorganisations, schools and details sent out viaparent mail via the local schools.

2.9.6 A summary leaflet has also been produced,outlining the Draft Neighbourhood Plan and thiswill be distributed to all households andbusinesses in Formby.

2.9.7 Several open Drop-In events will be arrangedand will be open to anyone to attend to find outmore about the Draft Neighbourhood Plan andto discuss any ideas and issues with members ofthe Steering Committee. These events will takeplace on the following dates:

Gild Hall, Church Road, FormbyWednesday 2nd November 20166pm to 9pm.

Gild Hall, Church Road, FormbyThursday 10th November 201610am to 4pm.

Gild Hall, Church Road, FormbyThursday 16th November 20166pm to 9pm.

Formby Library, Duke StreetMonday 21st November 20166pm to 9pm.

Gild Hall, Church Road, FormbyThursday 24th November 201610am to 4pm.

Formby Library, Duke Street,Wednesday 30th November 20162pm to 8pm.

Gild Hall, Church Road, FormbyMonday 5th December 201610am to 4pm.

2.9.8 All Responses should be made in writing or byemail. A Response Form has been prepared forsubmitting comments and this is available fordownloading from the website or on requestfrom the Formby Parish Council office. It wouldgreatly assist the Parish Councils if the ResponseForm is used; however all responses submitted inwriting or by email will be given carefulconsideration.

2.9.9 Members of the public will able to submit allresponses by post to Formby Parish Council,Formby Library, Duke Street, Formby or via emailto [email protected].

2.9.10 This first, draft neighbourhood developmentplan has been prepared taking account of theresponses and suggestions received from theearly, informal stage of public consultation, andengagement.

2.9.11 In June 2014 the draft vision and objectives werepublished for comment on the neighbourhoodplanning pages of the Formby Parish Councilweb site.

2.9.12 A Questionnaire Survey was distributed tohouseholds in the summer of 2014. The resultsfrom 444 responses were summarized.

2.9.13 A launch event for the Neighbourhood Plan washeld on 18 June 2014, from 2pm – 8pm in theGild Hall. The event was very well attended, witharound 100 local residents and business peopleattending the drop in to find out more aboutthe Neighbourhood Plan and how they could beinvolved. The questionnaire survey was furtherpromoted at this event.

2.9.14 In May 2015 a new parish council was electedand conducted further surveys on line to engagemore with the community and obtain moreresponses. The new parish council consulted thelocal community extensively, including severalquestionnaires aimed at the various age rangesand businesses who make up the localcommunity.

l June 2014: initial questionnaire which wasdone as a paper copy with results formingthe basis of a more comprehensivequestionnaire. [444 responses].

l September 2015: we put out a quickquestionnaire asking what was important tothe residents [1506 responses]. Full resultscan be found at:www.formbyparishcouncil.org.uk

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l September 2015 we conducted a surveywith the under 18s [1443 responses]. Fullresults can be found at:www.formbyparishcouncil.org.uk

l September 2015 we conducted a businesssurvey [43 responses]. Full results can befound at: www.formbyparishcouncil.org.uk

l October 2015 we conducted a morecomprehensive survey with the residents[942 responses]. This was a household surveyand not an individual survey. Full results canbe found at:www.formbyparishcouncil.org.uk

2.9.15 All questionnaires also had open endedquestions which are fully included in the fullanalysis for each questionnaire in respect of theindividual responses although for the purpose ofthe draft neighbourhood plan we haveproduced a summary of the questionnaires.

2.9.16 Our first questionnaire was on paper with ourfollowing survey being on line using “SurveyMonkey” and paper copies as well. We used the

online version to engage with the youngerpopulation of Formby but due to thedemographics of Formby and the olderpopulation we also had to produce hard copyquestionnaire to complete. We then combinedboth the online survey with the paper survey. Itis important to note that the paper survey wasan exact copy of the online survey in order toensure the results were consistent.

2.9.17 Green Belt policy is strategic and must be setthrough the Local Plan however as we representthe residents we need to express our concernswith the amount of building to take place onthe greenbelt within the Local Plan and we donot advocate building on the greenbelt,although we have to accept the sites nowallocated within the Sefton Local Plan and workwith them although it is clear throughout thesurveys that the protection of green belt is veryimportant to the community.

2.9.18 A summary of the questionnaires was producedhighlighting the main concerns raised and thissummary is in the evidence base.

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SECTION 3 A Vision for Formby and Little Altcar

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3.1 FORMBY TODAY3.1.1 Understanding Formby and Little Altcar is the

starting point for producing a goodNeighbourhood Plan. This is because the Formbyand Little Altcar Neighbourhood Plan is anopportunity to plan the town’s future. What arethe problems that the Plan could address? Whatare the opportunities the Plan could make themost of?

3.1.2 A wide range of issues have been considered inproducing the Plan. These can be grouped underfive themes:

l Housing.

l Working and shopping.

l Getting around.

l Leisure and wellbeing.

l Environment, sustainability and designquality.

3.1.3 An overview of these five themes is set outbelow. This overview includes information frombackground reports along with issues raised bylocal people at the various consultation events. Amore in-depth summary of the backgroundreports is available in the Evidence Base Summarythat accompanies this Plan.

3.1.4 HOUSING

The parishes of Formby and Little Altcar have apopulation of around 25,000 people, living in9,500 properties.

A review of available housing data shows thatthere is:

l a high level of home ownership andcorrespondingly low proportions ofaffordable housing to buy

l a wide choice of properties with theexception of flats/bungalows

l at the same time, a shortage in supply of 1and 2 bed properties which at 19% ofhouseholds compared to 31% (Sefton) 40%(Nationally).10

Consultation with local people has revealedconcerns about the affordability of housing inFormby and Little Altcar, particularly for youngpeople and families. People are also concernedabout there being a range of housing typesavailable – the perception is that many newdevelopments are skewed towards largerdwellings. This is the case in Formby comparedwith the rest of the borough.

3.1.5 WORKING AND SHOPPING

Formby and Little Altcar are generally seen as anaffluent town. However, there are some areaswithin its boundary that are seen as less affluent.

There are high levels of commuting out Formbyand Little Altcar. At the time of the 2011 Censusthis stood at approximately 60%11 A significantnumber of residents commute out of Sefton someas far afield as Manchester and even London.

Employment sectors include:

l Retail: Formby has a village centre withstrong representation from majorsupermarkets, Waitrose, Iceland and M&S,as well as there being more retail on theFormby bypass. It has several communityevents held in the village throughout theyear. However there is a clear need for moreindependent outlets within the village.

l Industrial/Office: At present Formby has oneBusiness Park at Stephenson Way, there isalso a small business park on Liverpool Rd.,the Mayflower Estate (although thiscurrently has an application in for change ofuse). Currently Formby suffers from the lackof provision of modern office premises.

3.1.6 GETTING AROUND

Formby and Little Altcar is a highly walkabletown, as it is fairly flat and compact. However, notall parts of the town connect well into the towncentre. The area by Range High School has beenidentified by local people as poorly connected, inparticular with regard to public transport.

As Formby and Little Altcar is walkable, it is alsosuitable for cycling. However, there are fewdedicated cycle routes, except on the outskirts ofthe town, with most cyclists using streets to getaround. There is a recommended nationalSustrans cycling route network by path 810 (localdesignation 81). There is also a link to theCheshire Lines Path and ultimately the Trans-Pennine Trail (Route 62) which is signed fromFormby.

Formby has good rail connections to Liverpooland Southport. There is bus inter-change points ateach station. Formby has 140 parking spaceswhilst Freshfield has 82. Public transportconnections to West Lancashire and Southporthospital are limited.

The Village Centre provides a total of 296 publicparking spaces, 200 at Furness Ave (pay anddisplay), 80 in Sumner Rd (now pay and display)

102011 Census11Extrapolating from the 2001 census and using data from the

residents questionnaire

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and 16 on the road (Brows Lane – Free). Waitrosealso has an extensive car park (300) but this isrestricted for the use of their customers only.Formby Pool has a small number of parking placesfor Pool users.

Much of the parking used to be free, and is seenby local people as vital to supporting Formby andLittle Altcar shops. However, local people are

concerned about the impact of traffic on thevillage centre and the availability of free parkingspaces once the pay and display is introduced intoSumner Road Car Park which will then only give16 free parking spaces. There are some 1600 bluebadge holders registered in Formby reflecting theage profile of the community, which underlinesthe need for adequate provision of parking.


Map 7 - Formby & Little Altcar Neighbourhood Plan Area Cycle routes

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Map 8 - Formby & Little Altcar Neighbourhood Plan Area Footpath Map

3.1.7 LEISURE AND WELLBEING

Members of the Parish Councils undertook anassessment of community facilities and opengreen spaces within Formby and Little Altcar, andthis is available as part of the Evidence Base.

This assessment supplements Sefton MBC “Openspace and Pitch Playing Strategy” published in2015.

Formby and Little Altcar has a very activecommunity life, representing many differentgroups and organisations. The Parish Council’sassessment confirmed the perception identified atpublic consultation that most of the existingcommunity facilities are of small to mediumcapacity, and that there is no large venue forgroups of more than 80 people, apart from theGild Hall which can accommodate up to 180.


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Sefton MBC Infrastructure Delivery Plan (IDP) setsout the additional requirements that new homeswill bring. The latest version [December 2014]deals with the following social and communityinfrastructure, however it should be noted thatthis relates to borough wide and is not specific toFormby where there is a lack of sports facilities,community buildings and other infrastructurerequirements which would be required to ensurethe safety of the community.

l Health facilities.

l Education facilities.

l Emergency Services.

l Leisure Services.

l Essential shops.

l Community facilities.

l Additional primary/secondary schoolcapacity depending on the rate at whichnew dwellings are built, together withadditional GP/Dentist services depending onthe type of houses.

3.1.8 ENVIRONMENT, SUSTAINABILITY AND DESIGNQUALITY

Formby and Little Altcar generally has a highquality environment: an historic village centreforming the heart of the community. AConservation Area, attractive landscapesurrounding the town; some good open spacesand the various SSSi and Ramsar sites. We alsohave a site of Local Biological Interest.

3.1.9 FLOODING

The River Alt flows into the Irish Sea to the westof the town. There is a flood plain associatedwith the waterways that regularly floods. Formbyand Little Altcar currently have problems bothflooding and surface water flooding and which isthe number one concern for residents. There is anEnvironment Agency flood management plan forthe Lower Crossens area which must bemonitored and achieved.

3.1.10OPEN SPACE

Formby and Little Altcar have 3 recreation areas:Duke Street Park, Deansgate Lane Playing Fields,Smithy Green Park. The National Trust NatureReserve is located in the west of Formby andprovides a habitat for various species as well as anarea for informal recreation for local people.Most of the open space surrounds the town and isprotected either as greenbelt or SSSis, RAMSAR orNational Trust.

Sefton MBC “Open space, sport and recreationfacility assessment” (2008) outlines some shortfallsof open space, sport and recreation in relation tothe existing population of Formby and LittleAltcar (that is, without the addition of furtherdevelopment).

3.1.11 HOUSING STYLES

Understanding the characteristics of the town isimportant in designing new development. Newdevelopment within or next to either theConservation Areas or listed buildings must make

sure it preserves and enhances the character ofthe area. Other areas may require a differentdesign approach - for example, there may beopportunities for new development to change thecharacter of less positive places by introducing anew character although this should not be to thedetriment of existing properties.

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It is important to the community that housing isbuilt in a similar style to where the developmentis taking place. We have included severalphotographs of the different types of housing inFormby and in particular to where newdevelopment is to take place within the sitespecifics.

3.1.12 EMPLOYMENT

Currently the industrial area contains a variety ofunits of different sizes and types, including someoffice and light industrial properties, principallycharacterised by the community as large ‘shed’like buildings with few windows and of poorquality.

3.2 CONSTRAINTS OF FORMBY3.2.1 Formby and Little Altcar Parish Councils believe

one of their priorities for the NDP is to reduce andminimise flood risk for all existing and futureresidents of Formby and Little Altcar.

3.2.2 It is important to understand the technicalopportunities and problems in and around thetown that may affect where new development isgoing to be located as per the emerging SeftonLocal Plan or indeed future development. Thisprovides the basis for making informed choicesabout where new development may go.

3.2.3 It should be noted Formby is rurally landlockedhaving the coast to the west, RAF WoodvaleStation to the North, The River Alt and Altcar RifleRange to the South and Downholland Brook tothe east which also forms the natural boundarybetween Sefton and West Lancashire and is eastside of the A565 [Formby Bypass]. It should benoted that the Parish Councils, for the purpose ofthe Neighbourhood Development Plan and thesettlement of Formby and Little Altcar, view theA565 as the urban settlement boundary forFormby and Little Altcar.

3.2.4 In addition to the existing boundaries Formbyhave various natural assets and sites of specialscientific interest, thus creating a very limited areato build in. Also, much of the land to the east of

the A565 currently floods and is in Flood Zones 2and 3 and acts as a natural flood plain. There areconcerns with regard to the EnvironmentalAgency turning off the pumping stations, whichhas been suggested and use this land as a naturalflood plain for the future.

3.2.5 In addition there is also a greenbelt boundary,which has been changed in the emerging SeftonLocal Plan but it also a concern as to how muchgreen belt is to be given up to development. Map9 shows the greenbelt boundary as it exists priorto the emerging Local Plan and Map 10 shows theredrawn boundary proposed for the emergingLocal Plan. The local community attaches greatimportance to its Green Belt. The fundamentalaim of Green Belt policy is to prevent urbansprawl by keeping land permanently open; theessential characteristics of Green Belts are theiropenness and their permanence. Onceestablished, Green Belt boundaries should only bealtered in exceptional circumstances, through thepreparation or review of the Local Plan. Also, itshould be considered their intended permanencein the long term, so that they should be capableof enduring beyond the plan period.

3.2.6 Formby also has some of the best and mostversatile agricultural land which is also importantto retain where possible and is an important assetto future generations in respect of providingfarming land to suit the requirements of growingfood.

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Map 9 - Formby & Little Altcar Neighbourhood Plan Area Existing Green Belt

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Map 10 - Formby & Little Altcar Neighbourhood Plan Area Proposed Green Belt

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3.2.7 FLOODING AND DRAINAGE

3.2.7.1 Formby and Little Altcar are adjacent to thecoast on the North West of England.

3.2.7.2 Formby and Little Altcar are bounded bysandhills to the west, Woodvale Airfield to thenorth, Downholland Brook to the east and theRiver Alt to the south and the coast to theWest.

3.2.7.3 The boundaries are unique in that they are allhigher than adjacent parts of Formby andLittle Altcar – the sandhills form the highestpoint with Formby and Little Altcar land levelsfalling the further east and south one goestowards the boundary. Woodvale Airfield isthe highest point at the north of Formby andthe embankments of Downholland Brook andthe River Alt are higher than adjacent areas ofland.

3.2.7.4 The vast majority of surface water for thiscatchment area drains to the River Alt viasurface water sewers, highway drains, landdrains and watercourses. Water that enters“soakaways” also enters the natural landdrainage and ground water systems which willeventually drain into Downholland Brook andthe River.

3.2.7.5 Water that enters the foul drainage systemalso enters the River Alt via sewage treatmentworks, therefore all water (including, but notlimited to rainwater, groundwater, seawater orwater mains) that enters Formby or LittleAltcar will eventually enter the River Alt.

Therefore, water that enters Formby and LittleAltcar from any source can only exit the areainto the River Alt (some via DownhollandBrook) through the outfalls from watercourses,ditches, surface water sewers, highway drains,through the ground or via any sewagetreatment works. All the surface water withinFormby drains by gravity.

3.2.7.6 There is no facility for water to exit the areaover the ground as the boundary sandhills arehigher, Woodvale Airfield is higher, theembankment of Downholland Brook is higherand the embankment or land adjacent to theRiver Alt is higher than certain areas of landwithin Formby. This has the effect that whenthe River Alt is running high enough to closethe non-return flap valves, no water can leaveFormby until the water level in the River Altdrops sufficiently to allow the non-return flapvalves to open again. This can take several daysto happen on several occasions every year.

3.2.7.7 Formby and Little Altcar Parish Councils canonly act within current knowledge andforecasts and may not necessarily agree ordisagree with any of the forecasts but must actwith due care and diligence in planning for thefuture. The National Planning PolicyFramework refers to the “lifetime ofdevelopments” - based on current propertyages in Formby and Little Altcar, the likelylifetime of any new development will be wellin excess of 100 years.

3.2.7.8 Formby and Little Altcar Parish Councilsunfortunately have no control over otherauthorities, their policies and the effects thatsuch policies may have on Formby and LittleAltcar.

3.2.7.9 One such policy is the level at which the RiverAlt and Downholland Brook are currentlymaintained at by the Environment Agency.Due to the EA trying to return the river to thelevel it was operating at before AltmouthPumping Station was built (withoutovertopping the embankment), the River Altand Downholland Brook are now frequentlyrunning at levels that are too high andtherefore the non-return flap valves close andstay closed for several days at times of rain.This has the effect of preventing water fromleaving Formby or Little Altcar for the entiretime the non-return flap valves are closed. Thishas reduced the capacity of Down HollandBrook and the river Alt and leads to frequentwater-locking.

3.2.8 DEVELOPMENT AND FLOOD RISK

3.2.8.1 Formby and Little Altcar Parish Councils wishto make it clear that they adhere to the adagethat “prevention is better than cure” so willseek to ensure that they prevent problemsfrom happening in the first place, rather thanallowing a problem to occur and then seekingto cure it. Due to the existing drainageproblems, and causes of those problems,Formby and Little Altcar Parish Councils willseek to encourage solutions to those existingproblems before any additional load, pressureor demands are placed on the finite resources.

3.2.8.2 Where a policy from an external body ororganisation apparently prevents anacceptable and positive solution to existingproblems, or enables developers to proposedesigns that Formby and Little Altcar ParishCouncils deem unacceptable, Formby and LittleAltcar Parish Councils will seek to publicisethese anomalies and shall make efforts toinform and change the views of the

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organisation that has set the offendingpolicies. Where a policy can be shown toincrease flood risk, Formby and Little AltcarParish Councils reserve the right to object tothe imposition of any such development.

3.2.8.3 Formby and Little Altcar Parish Councils willseek to ensure that flood risk shall:

l be determined as the possibility offlooding from any source

l be based upon theoretical and realworld evidence. Flood maps aretheoretical, therefore can only betreated as a guide rather than definitiveand shall be treated as a guide to theminimum effect of flooding from statedsources.

3.2.8.4 In order to prove flood risk, developers whereappropriate shall model the existing andproposed networks for the entire catchmentarea for a site including both upstream anddownstream watercourses, sewers (foul andsurface water), highway drains andgroundwater systems that connect into or runthrough their site, and compare this to realworld experience of Formby and Little Altcar.

3.2.8.5 In order to determine accuracy of flood risk ofthe developer’s proposed systems, Formby andLittle Altcar Parish Council’s will compare thedevelopers modeling of the existing systems inthe area to the real world experienced byresidents. It is obvious that if the developer’snetwork modeling fails to show the existingflooding locations, there can be no confidencein the modeling of the proposed systems.

3.2.8.6 In order for Formby and Little Altcar ParishCouncil to consider a development safe fromflooding, where appropriate developmentshould seek to demonstrate that:

l the design is capable of taking theoverflow from adjacent catchment areasshould a problem occur that results inother catchment areas overflowing intothe new design area

l the design must show that 50% of flowsfrom adjacent catchment areas can beaccommodated without causing floodingto either the new proposed site or theexisting properties in either adjacentcatchment areas or in the catchmentarea the new development is in.

3.2.8.7 Formby and Little Altcar Parish Council willseek to ensure that no new development takespriority over existing developments. Priorityshall be given to reducing flood risk and

preventing flooding to existing properties. If adevelopment takes measures to protect itselffrom future flooding, the developer mustlikewise protect existing adjacent properties tothe same extent.

3.2.8.8 Should a developer, company, individual,authority or agency that proposes adevelopment that Formby and Little AltcarParish Councils show is likely to increasingflood risk the Parish Councils will seek toensure that any such party attend a meetingarranged by Formby or Little Altcar ParishCouncils where those who may be affected bythe development will be able to makerepresentations to those concerned. Formbyand Little Altcar Parish Councils will publicisesuch events, their outcomes and those who failto attend.

3.2.8.9 Formby and Little Altcar Parish Councils willseek to have any proposed developmentconsidered unsustainable if affordable floodinsurance is not available from a variety ofreputable, major, UK regulated insurancecompanies (quotes from specialist brokers shallnot be counted as sustainable as having toresort to a specialist broker is admitting thatthere is a problem in obtaining insurance).

3.2.8.10 In order to reduce the flood risk for newdevelopments, Formby and Little Altcar ParishCouncil will seek to ensure that no newproperties shall be built lower than the roadconstructed in front of the new property andthat all new properties shall have a FinishedFloor Level that is a minimum of 450mm higherthan the crown of the road immediatelyoutside the property.

3.2.8.11 In order to maintain a route for vehicles toleave the new developments withouthindrance, all new highways and footwaysconstructed as part of a new developmentshould be free of risk of actual flooding for upto a 1 in 100-year storm return period.

3.2.8.12 Formby and Little Altcar Parish Councils willseek to ensure that new developments are notconstructed higher than existing adjacentproperties that fall within 100m of theproposed site.

3.2.9 DEVELOPMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE

Based upon The National Planning PolicyFramework Chapter 10 paragraph 99 - takingaccount of climate change over the longerterm, including factors such as flood risk,coastal change, water supply and changes tobiodiversity and landscape. New developmentshould be planned to avoid increased

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vulnerability to the range of impacts arisingfrom climate change. When new developmentis brought forward in areas which arevulnerable, care should be taken to ensure thatrisks can be managed through suitableadaptation measures, including through theplanning of green infrastructure.

3.2.9.1 Formby and Little Altcar Parish Councils seekto discourage elements of development thatmay cause undesirable effects if the currentscientific climate change forecasts are correct.This would mean discouragement of placingstationary or standing bodies of wateradjacent to either existing or proposeddevelopment sites. Such bodies of water maylead to increased flood risk at times ofincreased rainfall, in particular if flows exceedthe finite design capacity for flows based oncurrent knowledge.

Therefore, no such standing water bodies(water retention systems, open attenuationsystems, balancing ponds, wet swales etc) shallbe encouraged within 200m of existinghousing, retail, employment oreducation/school buildings.

3.2.9.2 No standing water bodies (water retentionsystems, open attenuation systems, balancingponds, wet swales etc) shall be permittedupstream of any existing or proposeddevelopments unless it can be proven thatthere is no increased flood risk to any existingdevelopment that may be caused by the designflows being exceeded or the failure of such awater retention system. Developers must provethis is the case for storm return periods up toand including the prevailing 1 in 100 yearstorm intensity. Such water retention systemsare often categorised as “reservoirs” and aretherefore counted as a potential source offlooding.

3.2.9.3 Due to the existing groundwater and surfacewater problems in Formby and Little Altcar,grey water recycling is to be seen as specificallyaddressing both reduction of water usage andreduction of water going into either theground or rivers and will therefore be thepreferred method for sustainably dealing withrainwater flows.

3.2.9.4 In order to aid the reduction of water use andtherefore reduce the environmental impact fornew developments, Formby and Altcar ParishCouncils positively support the use of greywater recycling systems and seek to ensurethat where appropriate new developmentshould:

l provide non-communal, grey waterstorage and recycling systems. Thismeans that individual properties takeownership of the ability to control theimpact of new development on theenvironment. Preventing the likelihoodof catastrophic failure of largecommunal systems

l be installed as above ground systems,therefore reducing the impact of rainfallon the already high water table andassociated ground water problems in thearea.

3.2.9.5 As Formby and Little Altcar already have welldocumented problems with watercourselocking caused by the high level of water inDownholland Brook and the River Alt whichdirectly affects the ability or inability of surfacewater systems to discharge, developer shouldwhere possible seek to demonstrate that therewill be a net reduction in the quantity of waterentering the River Alt after their developmentis completed. This includes all water enteringthe River Alt emanating from their site,whether directly or via other watercourses orsewers that eventually discharge to the RiverAlt, including, but not limited to, all surfacewater generated that will enter the river viagroundwater, watercourses, sewers, balancingponds, water retention systems and systemswith attenuated or throttled outlets; and allfoul water emanating from their site as thiswill enter the River Alt via sewage treatmentworks. Where possible this approach should beapplied to all developments within the Formbyand Little Altcar catchment areas as anyadditional discharge to the River Alt will causeadditional load on it, which will cause thewatercourses to “lock” earlier and stay lockedfor longer which will cause additional floodingto areas already at risk within the area.

3.2.10 INAPPROPRIATE DEVELOPMENT

Based upon The National Planning PolicyFramework Chapter 10 paragraph 100 -Inappropriate development in areas at risk offlooding should be avoided by directingdevelopment away from areas at highest risk,but where development is necessary, making itsafe without increasing flood risk elsewhere.Local Plans should be supported by StrategicFlood Risk Assessment and develop policies tomanage flood risk from all sources, takingaccount of advice from the EnvironmentAgency and other relevant flood riskmanagement bodies, such as lead local flood


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authorities and internal drainage boards. LocalPlans should apply a sequential, risk-basedapproach to the location of development toavoid where possible flood risk to people andproperty and manage any residual risk, takingaccount of the impacts of climate change, by:

l applying the Sequential Test;

l if necessary, applying the Exception Test;

l safeguarding land from developmentthat is required for current and futureflood management;

l using opportunities offered by newdevelopment to reduce the causes andimpacts of flooding; and

l where climate change is expected toincrease flood risk so that some existingdevelopment may not be sustainable inthe long-term, seeking opportunities tofacilitate the relocation of development,including housing, to more sustainablelocations.

3.2.10.1 Due to the finite nature of the area of Formbyand Little Altcar and the natural restrictionscaused by geographical, topographical,geological and ground conditions, matchedwith the man-made restrictions of policy andphysical aspects, certain types of developmentand associated works may prove unsuitable forthe area. As these are beyond the control ofFormby and Little Altcar Parish Councils, it isimportant that such evidence is taken intoaccount before designs can be deemed asmeeting the NPPF Ch 10 Paragraph 100. Assuch, priority will be given to informationbased on proven local knowledge rather thanassumptions based upon principles brought infrom dissimilar areas.

3.2.10.2 For Formby and Little Altcar Parish Council willseek where possible to direct developmentaway from:-

a) Land that already floods from anysource.

b) Land that is, or can be reasonablyassumed to be, in Flood Zone 3 or at thehighest risk of flooding of flooding fromany source.

c) Land that is, or can be reasonablyassumed to be, in Flood Zone 2 or at areasonable risk of flooding in theforeseeable future.

d) Land that is in Flood Zone 1 that, ifdeveloped, would be likely to causeadditional flood risk elsewhere.

e) Land that is below the current knownHighest Astronomical Tides during theproposed lifetime of the development.

f) Land that is below the knownwatercourse/river embankments thatserve and bound the area.

g) Land that is below the known waterlevels in the watercourses/rivers at timesof storm.

h) Land that currently cannot successfullydrain due to the non-return flap valvesclosing which causes the watercourses to“lock” for more than 2 hours on any daywithin a year.

3.2.10.3 Formby and Little Altcar Parish Councils shallseek to discourage development in areaswhere the collapse of the embankment ordefences of a river will result in flooding toproperty.

3.2.10.4 Formby and Little Altcar Parish Councilconsider elements of development that arelikely to increase flood risk elsewhere include,but are not limited to:-

a) Raising of land levels (this will naturallydisplace existing standing water and willtherefore push the water elsewhere,making flooding more likely).

b) Changing the natural topography of theground – this may lead to changes ingroundwater movement and in such asmall, finite area as Formby and LittleAltcar will increase problems within thefinite area.

c) Changing the ability of water to flowthrough a site, whether that is in a pipe,in a watercourse, through the ground orover the ground. This is not only likely tocause additional problems elsewhere inthe finite area of Formby and LittleAltcar but is also in direct contraventionof the Land Drainage Act 1991 and assuch will not be deemed as acceptable.No development that is in contraventionof any other Act of Parliament will bedeemed as acceptable, whether that isthe Land Drainage Act 1991, the Floodand Water Management Act 2010 or anyother such applicable Act of Parliament.

d) Ground water storage systems are likelyto cause additional flooding problemselsewhere. Natural ponds will raise thewater table locally and therefore add tothe existing known ground waterproblem in the area, whilst lined pond

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systems will displace the existing groundwater also making the existing knownground water problems worse. Formbyand Little Altcar Parish Councils woulddraw developers’ attention to the policylisted in items 34 to 38 under ClimateChange above, which is a better, moreappropriate solution for areas such asthis where there are already knowngroundwater problems.

3.2.11 SUSTAINABILITY OF DRAINAGE DESIGN

3.2.11.1 Formby and Altcar Parish Councils wish topositively encourage the use of sustainabledesigns for the installation of new drainagesystems.

3.2.11.2 Although preference will be given toSustainable Drainage Systems, Formby andAltcar Parish Councils accept that certain sitesmay require a different or traditional drainageapproach.

3.2.11.3 In order to prove sustainability, whereappropriate a developer should seek todemonstrate that the long term cost ofmaintaining their proposed drainage system isthe same as or less than the cost ofmaintaining a similar capacity traditionalpositive drainage system. There shall be noadditional cost to either householder, taxpayerin the form of exchequer or local authority, orservice delivery organisation that levies acharge on the householder.

3.2.11.4 Formby and Little Altcar Parish Councils willseek to discourage new development drainedby pumping (whether foul or surface water).Where Pumping is proposed:

l a developer should demonstrate why it isphysically impossible to drain the site bygravity (the more sustainable option inthe long term) and,

l a developer should demonstrate that bypumping the new site, it will not betaking priority over the existingdevelopments in Formby or Little Altcarthereby increasing the flood risk toexisting residents.

3.2.11.5 Where appropriate Formby and Little AltcarParish Council will seek to ensure that, if apumping station can be shown to be nocostlier to maintain than a gravity drainingdrainage system and whether it is approvedand adopted by other authorities or privatelymaintained, no new foul pumping stationsshall be installed within 200m of existingproperties and shall be situated at a pointfarthest from existing properties. Any foul or

surface water pumping station should beplaced at a point that will not allow water orsewage to drain towards existing properties.As any such design would be placing existingproperties at increased flood risk

3.2.11.6 Formby and Little Altcar Parish Council willseek to ensure that when the Exception test isinvoked a developer or Local PlanningAuthority:

l should show that there is no othersuitable land within a ten-mile radius ofthe boundary of Formby and Little Altcar

l is already admitting that the site inquestion has a flooding problem andthat in developing it, the relevantdeveloper and Local Planning Authorityknow that the problem has not beensolved and will make the floodingsituation worse

l it cannot be used to supersede, override,usurp or take precedence over anyrelevant part of The Land Drainage Act1991

l Is aware that Formby or Little AltcarParish Councils may pursue the relevantdrainage authority, lead flood authorityor other agency to redress the issueshould problems occur

l should ensure that it does not result inany additional cost to any residents ofFormby or Little Altcar if works arerequired to correct problems caused bydevelopments

l should show that the duty to cooperatehas been fully explored beforeattempting to invoke the test, asadministrative boundaries are arbitraryand can and do change from time totime.

3.2.11.7 For the avoidance of doubt, notwithstandingthe existence of the Exception Test, as theNational Planning Policy Framework is onlyguidance, any design submitted by a developeror approved by a Local Planning Authority,could still be deemed to be in breach ofvarious parts of the Land Drainage Act 1991,and as such Formby or Little Altcar ParishCouncils may pursue the relevant drainageauthority, lead flood authority or other agencyto redress the issue should problems occur. Thisagain should not result in any additional costto any residents of Formby or Little Altcar ifworks are required to correct problems causedby developments.


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3.2.11.8 Although Formby and Little Altcar ParishCouncils will favour Sustainable DrainageSystems as the preference for developing newsites, there are many different forms of“sustainable” methods, not all of which will besuitable for all sites. Therefore, it may bedeemed that certain types of “sustainable”drainage systems are not appropriate forcertain types of ground conditions.

3.2.12 TREES

3.2.12.1 In order to abide by the need for sustainability,to aid ground stability and reduce the effectsof groundwater, Formby and Little AltcarParish Councils will seek to ensure that alldevelopments to trees within the developmentsite. The developer shall provide options forFormby and Little Altcar Parish Councils tochoose the mix of trees for each site that thedevelopers shall provide a choice of trees withthe following information:- Quantity of waterthat will be absorbed from the ground by eachtree at time of planting and at maturity,difference and amount of water consumed perspecies of tree during different seasons, lengthof time for tree to reach maturity, likelylifespan, resistance to disease, likelymaintenance requirements and likely influenceand reach of roots for each species of treesuggested.

3.2.12.2 Trees under this scheme must be provided inpublic space areas (trees in private gardens caneasily be removed by homeowners so thiswould reduce the benefit of trees consumingground water).

3.2.13 PRELOADING

3.2.13.1 Due to the nature of the confined area ofFormby and Little Altcar, preloading theground to expel ground water shalldiscouraged permitted at all. Formby and LittleAltcar Parish Council will seek to ensure that adeveloper demonstrates that any suchapproach will not result in pushing the existingwater into areas that are already strugglingwith groundwater flooding problems andtherefore contravene the recommendations ofparagraphs 100 (“without increasing flood riskelsewhere”) and 103 (“local planningauthorities should ensure flood risk is notincreased elsewhere”) of the NPPF, affirmingthat this is so important that it is mentionedmore than once. Formby and Little AltcarParish Councils deem it unacceptable for anydevelopment to increase flood risk, increaseflooding or displace water and as such and willnot support such applications.

3.2.13.2 Developers and Local Planning Authoritiesmust take a flexible approach to methods ofcontrolling flood risk sustainably. It is clear thatsolutions for certain available sites in Formbyand Little Altcar may be outside the proposeddevelopment areas. Formby and Little AltcarParish Councils will deem a solution as moreimportant than any requirement to develop asite. If a developer or Local Planning Authoritydeems the best solution as beyond theirrequirements or remit for reasons of cost orpracticality, Formby and Little Altcar ParishCouncils shall not support such developmentand will regard it as impractical to develop thesite rather than impractical to solve theproblem.

3.3 ISSUES THAT HAVEINFLUENCED THE VISION

3.3.1 Formby and Little Altcar are attractivesettlements with relatively prosperouscommunities who have good access to a highquality coastal environment with extensivebeaches, coastal dunes and pine woods. Thearea is well known for Natterjack Toads andred squirrels and the environmental sensitivityof the area is recognised in several Europeanand Nationally designated sites.

3.3.2 Information gained from the various surveysand consultations which have been carried outhave been paramount in deciding the wayforward and the future of Formby and LittleAltcar.

3.3.3 The Neighbourhood Plan notes that a largeproportion of Formby residents commute wellbeyond the Liverpool City Region.

3.3.4 It is noted that there is a considerable need foraffordable housing.

3.3.5 Formby is one of Sefton’s more wealthy areasand a prime location for executive housing forSefton and Merseyside. Formby centre providesa good mix of shops, banks and cafes andthere are several supermarkets although it isclear that there is a need to encourage moreindependent traders into the village centre.

3.3.6 It is important to support the development ofhigh quality, sustainable and successfulneighbourhoods whilst nurturing andenhancing the lives of existing residents inFormby and Little Altcar; and

3.3.7 To identify the unique or distinctive physicaland cultural assets of the parishes and usethese to shape the future environment andcommunity.

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3.4 VISION STATEMENT AND COREOBJECTIVES

3.4.1 VISION STATEMENT

“In 2031, Formby will have grown to become asustainable town that is abler to meet its ownneeds for housing, jobs, community facilities,public and commercial services.

Formby will be a popular place to live, workand play adapting to climate change with asuccessful and sustainable local economy.

It will retain its high quality environment butwill encourage the large number of existingvisitors who use Formby to access the coast tovisit Formby village centre for leisure,shopping, sporting activity or enjoy itshistorical past.

The town will have completed a pattern ofgrowth started over fifty years earlier byinfilling land to its natural physical boundaries.Its population will have reached over 25,000with 11,000 homes, which provide a mix ofopen market and affordable homes of all typesand will provide an increasing number ofhomes for older people.

Its secondary, primary and special schools arepopular and provide excellent education to thetown’s students and those in the surroundingrural areas.

Above all, the town has retained its specialhistoric and architectural character by carefullymanaging change within its built up area andby protecting its setting and surrounding opencountryside from development.”

3.4.2 PRINCIPLES AND CORE OBJECTIVES

3.4.2.1 The following set of principles will be used todeliver the vision. In order to achive this andensure the future character of Formby, weneed to provide a set of principles fordelivering the vision. These are that:

Formby must:

a) continue to feel ‘compact’

b) continue to have a close relationshipwith the open countryside around it

c) continue to act as a centre for thesurrounding area, not just residents

d) remain attractive to residents andvisitors.

Looking at the first four principles in moredetail, achieving the vision means: Formbymust continue to feel ‘compact’: This is not justto do with numbers of people, (Formby & Little

Altcar have a population of about 24,000 atpresent) but also concerns other factors.Walkability is important – at present, themajority of people living in Formby are withinapproximately 30 minutes’ walk of the towncentre.

Formby must continue to have a closerelationship with the open countryside aroundit: Just as it doesn’t take long to walk to thetown centre, most residents live within about15 minutes’ walk of the surrounding openfarmland, greenbelt and wildlife sites.Compactness is important to a closerelationship with open countryside.

Formby must continue to act as a centre forthe surrounding area not just its residents:Formby needs to provide a range of differentamenities/facilities in addition to housing –that is, employment, shopping, and communityfacilities, including education. It’s importantthat good car, public transport, walking andcycling access are provided so that people fromthe surrounding areas can get to them easily

The Core Objectives

The Core Objectives are grouped under fiveheadings:

l Housing.


l Getting around.

l Community, Leisure and Wellbeing.

l Environment & Sustainability.

For each heading, there are some commentsabout the main issues raised at the publicconsultation events and questionnairesfollowed by the Core Objectives that weredeveloped from these comments.

3.4.3 HOUSING

Main comments raised by local people duringthe informal consultation and variousquestionnaires include:

l 300 homes on one site is too many - newhousing needs to be integrated onsmaller sites

l new homes should be spread overseveral sites, not in one big development

l a lack of affordable homes to buy orrent

l a shortage of smaller homes (2bedrooms and fewer)

l a shortage of bungalows for the olderpopulation


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l more houses more parking problems

l The developers totally disregard existingresidents.

OBJECTIVE: Provide new housing as per theemerging Sefton Local Plan

OBJECTIVE: Provide a greater range ofaffordable housing

OBJECTIVE: Rebalance the Housing Mix inorder to meet Formby’s needs

OBJECTIVE: The Development of emergingBrownfield Sites in order to meet Formby’sfuture needs.

OBJECTIVE: Promote high quality HousingDesign

OBJECTIVE: Ensure all new developments areclosely monitored

3.4.4 WORKING AND SHOPPING


l not enough independent shops in thevillage centre

l a shortage of good quality newemployment space;

l shortage of parking

l shortage of office space

l HGVs causing problems in the village.

OBJECTIVE: Provide new employment

OBJECTIVE: To support a full range ofemployment opportunities

OBJECTIVE: To increase local employmentopportunities particularly in the 'Knowledgeand New Media industries'.

OBJECTIVE: To create the right conditions forthriving local businesses.

OBJECTIVE: Support our Retail Shops

OBJECTIVE: Encourage more independenttraders into the village

OBJECTIVE: To ensure neighbourhoodshopping and commercial areas are attractiveand successful.

OBJECTIVE: To ensure the Village continues tobe the heart of the town by being a place witha wide range of high quality uses, events,social activities and regular, diverse markets.

3.4.5 GETTING AROUND


l more footpaths / cycle ways

l creating a cycle path round Duke StreetPark

l improving connections between Formbyand the surrounding towns

l planning public transport so that - forexample – bus and train times worktogether

l the impact of more traffic from newhomes

l lack of parking

l roads not safe to cross

l 20 mph not adhered to

l bus does not come to this area ofFormby.

OBJECTIVE: Connect new housing into Formbyand the wider area with good pedestrian, cycleand bus connections

OBJECTIVE: Improve existing pedestrian andcycle connections within Formby

OBJECTIVE: Improve connections tosurrounding destinations

OBJECTIVE: Plan public transport to bettermeet users’ needs and cover all areas ofFormby

OBJECTIVE: Ensure car parking within the townsupports the viability of the town centre

OBJECTIVE: To provide an excellent network ofpublic transport and non-vehicular transportroutes that allow a genuine choice in futuretransport options.

3.4.6 COMMUNITY, LEISURE AND WELLBEING


l providing a community centre

l providing a sports facility

l providing more parks and open greenspace within the boundary

l supporting local people

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l provide more GPs, Dentists and schoolplaces

l needing to get more people living ANDworking in Formby (i.e. reducecommuting).

OBJECTIVE: Provide a large community facility

OBJECTIVE: Provide a sports facility

OBJECTIVE: Ensure the Neighbourhood Planmeets the needs of local people

OBJECTIVE: Seek to ensure an increase inhealth services if required

OBJECTIVE: Seek to ensure there are enoughschool places to meet the need of the growingcommunity as required

OBJECTIVE: Provide more open green spaceand parks

OBJECTIVE: To support a culturally rich anddiverse community reflecting all ages,heritages and traditions.

OBJECTIVE: To nurture a diverse andsupportive community with excellent internalcommunication and close links toneighbouring communities.

OBJECTIVE: To ensure there are spaces,institutions and events both physical anddigital where the whole community canregularly meet, socialize & communicate,making Formby safer and stronger,encouraging new bonds and mutuallybeneficial initiatives.

OBJECTIVE: To create effective, accessible localservices and facilities

OBJECTIVE: To support an active communityphysically, intellectually and socially, caring forand aware of all in our community.

OBJECTIVE: To contribute to a physically activeand healthy community taking advantage ofthe geography to walk and cycle frequentlyinstead of driving.

OBJECTIVE: To foster wide participation in localarts, sports, civic activities and local traditions.

OBJECTIVE: To create a strong sense of CivicPride and engagement celebrating whatFormby and its history offers.

3.4.7 ENVIRONMENT, SUSTAINABILITY, DESIGNQUALITY

Main comments raised by local people duringthe informal consultation and various

questionnaires include:

l providing generous open space on newdevelopments

l improving existing open spaces withmore variety

l creating some more nature reserves

l flooding is a major issue

l protect the greenbelt

l designing new development so that it issympathetic to Formby’s character andsurrounding homes from inappropriatedevelopment.

l support renewable energy which is incharacter with the area.

OBJECTIVE: Co-ordinate green infrastructure

OBJECTIVE: Provide more public open space

OBJECTIVE: Improve existing open space

OBJECTIVE: Co-ordinate sports provision

OBJECTIVE: New development to addressflooding and drainage issues

OBJECTIVE: Encourage energy efficient andsustainable development

OBJECTIVE: Development should reinforce thecharacter and quality of Formby

OBJECTIVE: To create sustainable and ethicaldevelopment of the opportunities arising fromvisitors.

OBJECTIVE: To maintain and protect ournatural environment whilst adapting to andmitigating the impact of climate change.

OBJECTIVE: To maintain, enhance and preserveour existing open space

OBJECTIVE: To encourage local foodproduction and allotments

OBJECTIVE: To create a network of greenspaces and corridors that is respected,supported and protected by all residents andthat sustains local wildlife and a sense of ruralliving throughout the town.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a local communitymarked by a strong sense of self-reliance, lowenergy use, local energy and food productionand a continuing commitment to become a'low carbon community'

OBJECTIVE: Work to alleviate the problemscaused by HGVs in the village


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3.4.8 MONITORING AND REVIEW

The Formby & Little Altcar NeighbourhoodPlan will be monitored by Sefton MBC andFormby Parish Council on an annual basis usingdata collected and reported in Sefton’smonitoring reports concerning Formby andLittle Altcar. This data will be focused primarilyon housing and employment delivery. Whereother relevant data can be easily collected andreported at a Town level, which is relevant tothe Plan then the Parish Councils will seek todo so.

The Parish Council intends to formally reviewthe Formby and Little Altcar NeighbourhoodPlan on a five-year cycle or to coincide with thereview of the Sefton MBC Local Plan if thiscycle is different. At its first review, around2019, the Parish Council, Sefton MBC and otherstakeholders will be able to reflect on theprovisions of the adopted Sefton MBC LocalPlan in respect of its strategic anddevelopment management policies.

3.4.9 Retail

The future vision seeks to promote the Villageas a retail centre providing a range of all typesof retail A1 - A5 use classes. However, newretail should be predominantly 'comparison' -that is non-food items such as clothes, booksand electrical goods. Currently there are 14Charity Shops and retail usage is just under70% of Prime frontage.

l support the town centre shops.

3.4.10 Community Assets

The following buildings are seen as communityassets within the community. Several havealready been listed as community assets withthe remainder being applied for to be listed ascommunity assets.

We would seek from the community, anyfurther suggestions that they feel could belisted as a community asset and which meetthe criteria.

3.4.11 Connections

The future vision identifies the potential toimprove existing pedestrian and/or cycleroutes, as well as providing new ones. Areasidentified for either upgrading or installationof light controlled crossings are LiverpoolRoad, Ravenmeols Lane, Duke Street andSouthport Road.

1 Formby Library and garden

2 Duke Street Park

3 Redgate Youth Centre

4 Dove Youth Centre

5 Formby Pool together with its surrounding land

6 Victoria Hall, Timms Lane built in 1855

7 Harrington Road Pram Club (now renamed AutismInitiatives)

8 War Memorial Garden

9 The Gild Hall, Church Road

10 British Legion Club, Whitehouse Lane

11 Park Road Development Centre/Community Centre,Park Road

12 Formby Luncheon Club

13 The Old Post Office, Brows Lane

14 Formby Hockey and Cricket Club

15 St Peters old School and Kindergarden, ParadiseLane

16 Further Education Building by Formby High,Freshfield Road (to be retained as an educationalbuilding)

17 Formby Tennis Club

18 OLOC Bowling Green

19 British Legion Bowling Green

20 The Freshfield Pub

21 Cross House Inn

22 The Gild Hall Activity Centre, Church Road

23 The Bay Horse Public House, Church Road

24 The Grapes Hotel, Green Lane

25 Old Formby Ambulance Station, Church Road

26 St Jeromes Parochial Centre

27 St Jeromes Scout Hut

28 St Lukes Scout Hut

29 St Lukes Church Hall

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SECTION 4 Neighbourhood Plan Policies

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4.1 NEIGHBOURHOOD PLANPOLICIESAll of the Policies in this document are to beconsidered together and alongside other Policiesin “the Plan”

4.1.1 Section 4 sets out the overall vision for Formby asa whole. This section sets out the policies tosupport and deliver the vision. The policies aregrouped under the following topics:

l Housing.


l Getting around.

l Community, leisure and wellbeing.

l Environment, sustainability and design.

l Flooding.

4.1.2 Each topic has its own chapter. The chapters arestructured in the same way for each topic with:

l Heading.

l Policies in a blue box.

l Community Actions in a grey box.

l Justification in red box.

4.2 GENERAL POLICIES

4.2.1 This policy establishes the key spatial priority forthe Formby and Little Altcar Neighbourhood Plan,within which context all its other policies arebased, and defines a Formby and Little AltcarSettlement Boundary.

Policy GP1:

The Neighbourhood Plan designates aFormby and Little Altcar SettlementBoundary, as shown on the Proposals Map,for the purpose of:

l directing future housing, economicand community related developmentin the Parish, to the town of Formbyand Little Altcar, to enhance its role asa resilient and sustainable community;

l containing the spread of the Town, bypromoting infilling up to itssettlement boundary, the A565(Formby Bypass)

l This approach, taken together withthe housing allocations below,provides for sustainable growth whilstavoiding the need to developunallocated greenfield land outsidethe settlement boundary.Consequently, the NeighbourhoodPlan ensures a sustainable pattern ofdevelopment, by providing forsignificant growth, whilst protectingthe Green Belt from inappropriatedevelopment, best most versatileagricultural land and the countrysidearound Formby and Altcar, which is, initself, a fundamental part of theNeighbourhood Area’s attractive localcharacter.

l The Formby and Little AltcarSettlement Boundary is derived froma combination of:

a) the existing urban area settlementboundary which is the A565

b) the relative landscape value of landbeyond the defined urban area, asextended to take into account wherethe adjoining landscape has beenassessed as having a relativesensitivity to development

c) the views of the local community,further to robust consultation

d) taking full account of theNeighbourhood Plan’s aim ofproviding for sustainable growth.

A SPATIAL PLAN FOR THE TOWN

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Map 11 - Formby Neighbourhood Plan Area

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4.3 HOUSING

4.3.1 This section outlines a Housing Strategy designedto “provide for sustainable growth of Formby andLittle Altcar over the plan period.

4.3.2 The Neighbourhood Plan strongly supportssustainable growth and in so doing, supports thedelivery of more housing than that set out in theLocal Plan. The reason for this is to provide foraffordable housing and the long termsustainability of the Neighbourhood Area. Thesettlement boundary outlined in the NDP (seeMap 11) seeks to establish the means by whichvaluable countryside is protected whilst at thesame time allowing for necessary growth.Development outside the Formby and Little AltcarUrban Area Boundary will not be supported.

4.3.3 The Neighbourhood Plan working Group carriedout a comprehensive Housing Needs Assessment(HNA). This was independently assessed by aplanning expert which when combined with astudy of Formby’s population provided the datafor a computer model to allocate housing to thesites already identified by the emerging SeftonLocal Plan. It is important to note that Formbyand Little Altcar Parish Councils have notallocated any sites but have worked with the sitesalready allocated. The Housing Needs Assessment(see Housing Needs Assessment for Formby andLittle Altcar’s Neighbourhood Plan) takes theInspector’s Initial Findings as the starting pointand then apportions the figure to reflect Formby’ssize.

4.3.4 The HNA achieves a figure for affordable homeswhich is at least as high as the figure achieved bySefton.

4.3.5 The Neighbourhood Plan supports provides for abuffer over and above the Sefton housingallocation to provide for contingencies. This is inline with the National Planning Policy Framework,which supports sustainable growth.

Policy H1:

Proposals for new housing must ensure thatthe new homes are well connected bothwithin the site and with the wider town.

Good connections may be achieved byproviding:

a) short, direct routes for pedestrians andcyclists connecting the newdevelopment to the rest of the town.This may include upgrading existingroutes that connect to the developmentto make them attractive and safe forpedestrians and cyclists

b) good access to public transport, bylocating development as close aspossible to existing bus routes andproviding good pedestrian access to busstops

c) good connections within thedevelopment area itself, so a choice ofconnections to the wider town isprovided.

HOUSING POLICIES

Policy H2:

Small residential developments on infill andredevelopment sites within the Parish will besupported, subject to proposals demonstratinggood design.

a) Development must achieve best use ofland in a manner that does notadversely impact on the environment,flooding and is of a quality design.

b) The density of development shouldcreate a character that is appropriate tothe site’s context.

c) Designed to reflect Formby and LittleAltcar’s character.

d) Windfall sites of 15 or more dwellingsmust incorporate similar principles ofcreating good connections.

Policy H3:

New housing development should, whereappropriate, demonstrate provision of newfacilities either on site or contributions to off-site facilities as set out by the Delivery Strategyof this Plan.

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Policy H4:

a) Affordable housing should be providedonsite and must be fully integrated withthe market housing throughout thedevelopment. Affordable housing mustbe visually indistinguishable from themarket housing.

b) Affordable housing must be of a type,size and tenure that meets the localneeds in Formby and Little Altcar.

c) Planning applications for residentialdevelopment where there is a net gainof 25 or more homes must beaccompanied by an Affordable Housingand Dwelling Mix Strategy. This shouldtake into account the Formby and LittleAltcar Neigbourhood Plan DeliveryStrategy.

Policy H5:

The provision of affordable housing in theform of starter homes with a 20% discount tomarket housing will be strongly supported.

Given the constraints mentioned above theNeighbourhood Plan seeks to promote theprovision of low starter homes on all sites.

Low cost starter homes should be madeavailable to local people meeting thefollowing criteria and should not be sold forrental. Priority should be given to localpeople, subject to meeting the followingcriteria:

a) Lived in Formby for 5 years.

b) Children of parents living in Formby.

c) Have lived in adjacent parishes toinclude Ince Blundell, Hightown andAinsdale for 5 years.

Justification/Supporting Text

Formby’s population is continuing to age andresearch carried out by the Parish Council showthere is a need for a better provision of homesfor the elderly.

a) Older people wanted to stay in thecommunity amongst their family andfriends.

b) Older people had a preference forbungalows and/or small houses suitablefor older people as opposed toretirement apartments which allowedthem to still have their own privategreen space.

c) There was a shortage of propertiessuitable for older people to downsize;consequently the housing market isinherently dysfunctional.

d) The design of these developmentsshould be informed by the LifetimeHomes 16 criteria.

Policy H7:

Schemes of more than 15 dwellings shouldprovide a mix of dwelling types and sizes tomeet the varying needs of current and futurehouseholds in Formby and Little Altcar. Majordevelopments comprising dwellings of uniformtype and size will not be supported.

To meet the Neighbourhood Area’s identifiedneed for smaller homes and thus provide for awide choice of high quality homes, newdevelopments of more than 15 dwellingsshould be based on the following housing mix:

a) 1 and 2 bed properties - 35%-45%

b) 3 bed properties - 50%-55%

c) 4+ bed properties - 5%-10%.

Policy H6:

The provision of housing to meet the needs ofan ageing population will be supported.

In developments of 50 or more housesproposals should demonstrate that at least20% of new dwellings are suitable for therequirements of older people. These couldinclude bungalows, small houses and housesincorporating features making them adaptableto a range of occupants, including olderpeople.

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Policy H8:

Given the fact that Formby has a very flat lowlying landscape with many places below sealevel, building above 2 stories (including twohalf stories) will be restricted. This isparticularly a problem where developers seekto raise the land surface significantly abovethe natural level thus infringing on “amenityof those within and adjacent to the site” andposing a potential surface water flooding risk.

To achieve high quality design, it should beshown that the following have beenconsidered:

a) Scale, density, height, landscape, layout,materials, access, frontages, architectureand amenity.

b) Retaining or creating good qualityboundary and gateway features.

c) Safety of movement and circulation ofwalkers, cyclists, vehicles and peoplewith limited mobility/disability, bothwithin and into the site.

d) Preservation and enhancement of viewstowards, within and out of thedevelopment.

e) Flexibility and adaptability to change inorder to be sustainable.

f) The delivery of high quality, wellconnected and well maintainedaccessible public open space.

Policy H9:

All new dwellings must provide off-roadparking spaces and those of 2 bedrooms andabove must provide off-road parking for atleast 2 cars.

Policy H10:

Design car parking so that it fits in with thecharacter of the proposed development andwhere possible and appropriate, takeopportunities to provide parking betweenhouses, rather than in front

The provision of off-road parking should takeinto account the following:

a) garages must be large enough to beuseable internal dimensions of 6.5m x3m are required

b) garages should be designed to reflectthe architectural style of the house theyserve

c) set garages back from the streetfrontage

d) locate parking in between houses(rather than in front) so that it does notdominate the street scene wherepossible

e) where parking is located in front ofhouses, design the street and thelandscape to minimise their visualimpact e.g. incorporate plantingbetween front gardens.

Policy H11:

To provide community-friendly development,building fronts should overlook streets andother routes so that there are ‘eyes on thestreet’ and pedestrians and cyclists feel safe.

There should be no blind spots or unlit areas.

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HOUSING COMMUNITY ACTION 1:

Formby is a small town and the scale of thedevelopment poses major logistic problems.

The Parish Council will monitor each site andwork with the Local Planning Authority toensure that all statutory requirements arefulfilled.

HOUSING COMMUNITY ACTIONS


Will support all developers who register withthe Considerate Construction Scheme beforecommencing on site.

It is the view of Formby & Little Altcar ParishCouncils that it is better to avoid problemsfrom the start rather than attempt to dealwith them once they have arisen.

a) Formby and Little Altcar Parish Councilssupport developers who operate withinthe Considerate Contractor Scheme andwhich encourages contractors tomaintain a good standard of work andimpact on the local community.

b) Registration with the ConsiderateConstruction Scheme should be in placeprior to commencing any work on thesite.

c) The Considerate Construction scheme isindependent and gives residentsanother body to voice their concerns toand monitor the site.


Will support developers who sign up to theCommunity First agreement.

Putting The Community First is a separatedocument set out in section 6.

This document has been prepared as a guidefor homeowners, builders, site managers andworkers to good practice during constructionwork. It is hoped that the inevitableinconvenience of building can be limitedthrough sensible arrangements whichacknowledge the needs of contractors but alsorespect the quality of life of neighbours.

It is important in every case to inform theParish Council, neighbours or local residents inthe vicinity of any proposed works in advance,keep them advised of progress, and providecontact details of one person (which could bethe contractor’s project manager) who willdeal with queries and problems. Pre-warningof works will usually avoid confrontations andcomplaints later on and maintain goodrelations locally.

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4.4 WORKING AND SHOPPING

The LCR in its “Building for the Future” documenthas identified the growth of Financial Servicesand the Knowledge Economy as vital to ourfuture. The research carried out by Sefton andthe Parish Council sees this as a growth area inthe local economy. Furthermore, the HNA showsthat Formby’s inhabitants have the highesteducational attainment in Sefton and many ofthese people have to commute out or migratedue to a lack of career opportunities.

Policy WS1:The provision of the following features as partof the new business park to the north of theexisting industrial estate will be supported

a) Bus stops.

b) Strategic cycle/pedestrian path linkingthe development with Formby.

c) Light controlled crossings across thebypass.

d) Flexible mix of business uses, includingstarter units.

e) Focus on the provision of B1/B2 and B8employment uses.

WORKING AND SHOPPING POLICIES

Policy WS2:Retain existing employment land inemployment use.

Proposals for the redevelopment or change ofuse of redundant land or buildings inemployment or service trade use to non-employment uses will only be permitted if theexisting use is no longer economically viableand the site has been marketed at areasonable price for at least a year for thatand any other suitable employment or servicetrade uses and there is no reasonable prospectof it being brought back into use.

Policy WS3:

Proposals to upgrade or redevelop existingemployment buildings and the surroundingenvironment will be supported provided that:

l there would be no adverse impacts onthe amenities of surrounding uses

l the improvements maintain or enhancepedestrian and cycle access

l the improvements maintain or enhanceaccess to bus stops

l there is adequate provision for employeeparking where possible.

Policy WS4:

Within the retail core of Formby Village theretention and enhancement of retail andrelated uses will be supported.

Proposals to change the use of existing retailmust demonstrate, further to twelve monthsactive marketing, that the existing use is nolonger viable and that there is no demand forit.

The expansion of retail, office and businessuses in the following areas will be supported,subject to taking into account local characterand residential amenity:

l Redgate Shops.

l Victoria Buildings, Victoria Road.

l Church Road, Ryeground Lane (leadingto Southport Road).

l Queens Road.

l Liverpool Road from Raven Meols Laneto Acorn Insurance.

l Church Road from opposite the policestation.

l Church Rd opposite the Fire Station

l Junction with Cable Street and old MillLane.

l Formby Station shops, Duke Street

l Freshfield Road/Victoria Road StationShops.


Given the scale of development planned forFormby and the ageing population, it isessential that people have access to smallconvenience shops. These shops provide avaluable service in the form of hair, beauty,convenience stores etc. In the age of digitalshopping these shops are also providingimportant services in terms of collection pointsfor returned goods etc.


It is essential that the town is economicallysuccessful, balanced and dynamic and is ableto provide the range of employment andfacilities for the community. It will come fromtargeted investment in new businessestogether with a greater commitment to localmanufacturing, professional and tradingoperations. There must be scope to provide forstartup and SME businesses.

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Policy WS6:New shop fronts should reflect the principalcharacter of the area especially in respect ofthe early twentieth century architecture ofmany of the original buildings.

Policy WS7:Visual amenity. Signage should be of a design,appearance and scale to the building which itis to be displayed on and sympathetic to theimmediate surroundings. It should notdominate buildings or street scenes.

WS Community Action 1:

Actively seek to set up a business facility for“hot desking”.

The Neighbourhood Plan should exploreopportunities to find meeting accommodationand “hot desking” facilities for fledglingbusinesses. This could take the form ofutilising under used community assets. TheNeighbourhood Plan Business Survey clearlyindicates a need for this facility and this is inaccord with both Sefton’s research andNational Research on SME businesses.

WORKING AND SHOPPING COMMUNITYACTIONS

WS Community Action 2:Formby is a small town and any majorshopping development outside the towncentre would be likely to undermine thetown’s vitality and the viability of the towncentre shops.

We would seek to have an impact assessmenton any proposed out of town developmentretail development.

We strongly believe the best way to supportFormby’s shops is to focus new retaildevelopment in the town centre. Other waysof supporting retail are to make sure peoplelive and work in the town centre. This can bedone by supporting employment andencouraging residential uses, especially aboveshops.

The Parish Councils will expect to part of the

WS Community Action 3:The Parish Council together with SeftonCouncil should review/monitor the impact ofParking Charges on Small Traders with a viewto developing a business friendly policy within6 months.

The Neighbourhood Plan has identified thefact that the most effective way small traderscan be helped is the provision of free parkingin the village.

WS Community Action 4:Sefton MBC should notify the Parish Councilsof any application made in respect of licensing,prior to any application being granted toensure that they are able to be given theopportunity to make comment on theproposed application. The Parish Councilsshould be included as part of the process.

It is recognized that the ultimate decision restswith Sefton MBC, but there must be a clearundertaking by Sefton MBC to consult withthe Parish Councils prior to approval. A formalagreement setting out the terms of thesearrangements must be agreed within 6 monthsof the Formby and Little Altcar NDP beingadopted.

WS Community Action 5:It is essential to Formby's long-term survival asa retail centre that it remains an attractiveplace to visit and shop. Therefore, to this endFormby PC will seek to continue to maintainthe street furniture and planting which it hasinstalled and would encourage developers tomake a small contribution towards the upkeepof the planting in the village.

Policy WS5:Proposals for temporary uses requiringplanning permission for appropriate towncentre activities will be supported to includestreet events, farmers market and pop upshops.

decision making process concerning theopening of new business opportunities, inparticular making sure that they are consultedon each and every application prior to fullapproval. The Parish Councils will expect to beconsulted on the sale of alcohol, tobacco,betting and restaurants planning to open newbusinesses throughout the Town. Applicationsto open additional Charity shops will not besupported.

It is important that amenities such as PublicTransport, Doctors, Dentists, Post Office andcommunity assets are also focused on the towncentre. Supporting Formby’s shops meansmore than looking after existing shops. Itmeans that development should be done insuch a way so as to support the functioning ofthe town centre. The Neighbourhood Plan willseek to maintain the integrity of the Primaryand Secondary Retail Frontage.

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WS Community Action 6:

The Parish Council will encourage tourismdevelopment that helps direct developmentaway from sensitive locations.

a) To promote the development of keyfacilities to alleviate traffic nuisance andvisitor pressure at Lifeboat Rd.

b) To direct recreational activity away fromthe coast by providing accessible publicopen green space.

c) These open spaces should be well linkedto existing and new developments aswell as key community assets.


The main reason for visiting Formby is toaccess to Formby’s coast and National Trustproperty. The Formby dunes and coast is a SACand the Alt estuary is a SAP and RAMSARconservation area. By definition, sustainabletourism would not result in adverse effects onthe integrity of any internationally designatedsites.

The visitor economy is relatively small butimportant. The local golf clubs, football, thecricket and tennis clubs, and those for othersports, provide opportunities for all ages, andalso bring people into the community.

Research carried out in 2008, presented in‘Marketing Sefton’s natural coast – Evaluatingthe impact’1 and other studies2 haveestimated that half of the recreational usersare ‘local residents’ (i.e. residents of Sefton),with 17% deriving from other Merseysideareas. With respect to reasons for 17 visitingthe coast, the main reasons cited by over halfof the respondents were dog walking,walking, fresh air and visiting the coast.Nature based attractions including visiting thesquirrels, bird watching and fishing accountedfor approximately 20% of the visitors in bothstudies. The majority of visitors were focusedon the Formby and Crosby coastline.

116 Sefton Council (2010) included in Sefton’s DynamicCoast Proceedings of the conference on coastalgeomorphology, biogeography and management 2008

2England’s North West Research Service for EconomicDevelopment and Tourism (May 2009) Sefton’s NaturalCoast Local Users of the Coast (Version 2)

4.5 GETTING AROUND

GETTING AROUND POLICIES

Policy GA1:

The development of a new footpath/cycle pathutilizing Mittens Lane connecting the NewBusiness Park with Deansgate Lane Park/LongLane and Formby Centre (East West StrategicPath) will be supported.

Justification/Supporting TextNew development should be well connected tothe town centre and vital services by a varietyof links including:

l Pedestrian links.

l Public transport.

l Cycle paths.

Policy GA2:

The enhancement of existing, and provision ofnew, public rights of way, will be supported.

Justification/Supporting TextThis objective addresses a number of differentissues:l reducing reliance on the car by making

walking and cycling convenient, andlocating bus stops near newdevelopments

l supporting the town centre shops bycreating strong connections to it

l integrating new housing with the town(also reflected in the objectives for‘Housing’).

Proposals for the development of allocatedresidential sites should deliver good pedestrianand cycle connections as part of acomprehensive approach to movement thataims to encourage walking and cycling andreduce reliance on vehicles.Employment sites and windfall housing sitesmust provide good pedestrian and cycleconnections to the town centre and other localdestinations. Policy WS1 sets additional specificrequirements for connections for the allocatedemployment site.Good pedestrian and cycle connections are:l short and directl designed as pleasant places to bel overlooked by adjacent building frontsl safe crossing places.

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Policy GA3:

Developments over 25 dwellings must carryout an accessibility audit (MASA) and producea travel plan.

Policy GA4:

To ensure that streets within newdevelopments are designed as pleasant placesto be.

New residential streets must be designed withan equal emphasis on all modes of transport,i.e. pedestrians and cyclists as well as vehicles.

Pedestrian and cycle routes should share thesame network as vehicular routes. These mustbe designed to feel safe. Where segregatedroutes are unavoidable, they should beprovided alongside the vehicular carriageway.

Quieter streets should be designed to besuitable for a range of social activities, such aschildren’s play.

Building fronts should overlook streets andother routes so that there are ‘eyes on thestreet’ and pedestrians and cyclists feel safe.

20 mph will generally be the maximum designspeed that is considered appropriate for newstreets within residential developments.

GETTING AROUND COMMUNITY ACTIONS

GA Community Action 1:

To retain adequate parking in Formby Village.

The Parish Councils have identified theimportance of free parking in terms of thelong-term viability of Formby’s retail offer.

The Parish council will seek to promote:

a) The provision of an adequate amount ofparking in Formby village.

b) The provision of free short-term parking.

c) Seek to have a 6 monthly review withTraders and Sefton Council in respect ofparking in the village.


The Parish Councils will seek developercontributions to improve/upgrade existingpedestrian and cycle connections withinFormby and Little Altcar and create new oneswhere needed.


The parish councils will encourage betterplanning of public transport to meet residents’needs.

Justification/Supporting Texta) The changes proposed by the SLP mean

that there will be a need to reviewFormby’s public transport provision. Thedevelopment of a Business Park east ofthe bypass together with new housingsites will require new public transportlinks if the Neighbourhood Plan is topromote sustainable development andhealthy lifestyles.

b) The town’s continuing ageingpopulation will mean that there willneed to be good public transport links tohealth services including Southport &Formby Hospital and Ormskirk Hospital.

c) Currently east - west public transportlinks to West Lancashire are nonexistent.

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Refresh Sefton’s plans for a north/southstrategic route (schools, town centre etc.).

The Parish Councils will encourage a numberof policy actions:

a) There should a review of important roadcrossings in terms of road safety(particularly in view of the likely extratraffic congestion resulting from theSLP). The need for controlled zebracrossings on the main roads in Formbyare essential for pedestrians, especiallyyoung and old for road safety.

b) Better use of footpaths (i.e. Long etc.)needs to be made in terms of linkingschools and the town centre to thecommunity. This could be done by takinga more strategic view in terms of linkingpaths together.

c) There has to be better cycle andpedestrian links across the bypass(including a Pegasus link forequestrians).

d) A holistic approach, including co-operation and active involvement of theParish Councils, including Hightown andInce Blundell in creating better links.

e) Provision of suitable information onfootpaths, cycle ways and publictransport within the site and theirmaintenance; and where possibleallocate sites providing opportunities forexercise, relaxation and, whereappropriate, contributions to local foodgrowing such as small gardens andplanters.

Justification/Supporting TextThe SLP will mean that Formby will faceconsiderable challenges in terms of trafficmanagement. The PC survey identified thatFormby already has above average car use.Furthermore, the young persons’ surveyidentified the fact that many young peoplefelt unsafe cycling on and crossing Formby’sroads.

Given the fact that Formby has an ageingpopulation pedestrian safety will be a growingconcern.

The development of good cycle paths andpedestrian links will help promote Health andwellbeing as well as sustainable tourism.

4.6 COMMUNITY, LEISURE AND WELLBEINGDeveloper contributions will be sought from allnew homes towards the funding of communityfacilities using the Community Infra StructureLevy.

Policy CLW1:The provision of a new community sportsfacility, to include 3G/4G pitch, will besupported at the site identified as being thebest suited to provide the facility and detailedin the Sports Facility Strategy which will beproduced within 6 months of the NDP beingmade.

POLICIES

Justification/Supporting TextFollowing the public Inquiry for Sefton’s LocalPlan and the examiner’s initial findings, theParish Council approached Sefton Council withconcerns regarding the lack of sportingfacilities in Formby and Little Altcar. TheParish Council suggested a site in Formby andSefton Council then brought forward a further2 sites which included King George IV PlayingFields and surrounding land, Deansgate LanePlaying Fields and Formby High School toprovide this facility.

Several informal meetings have taken place atthe various sites with Sefton Council appearingto be in favour of Formby High School,although more work is required to bringforward the Sport facility Strategy.

Formby High School already has many of thefacilities required in place to include changingrooms, showers, land availability to put in3G/4G pitch [which will address the lack ofRugby facilities], sports hall and gymnasium.This site will also be able to accommodate afull size athletics track.

The site is in walking distance for all who livein Formby and Little Altcar, is central to bothtrain stations and has good transport links.Further discussions are currently ongoing withSefton Council, the Parish Council and FormbyHigh School who also support this vision forthe future.

Policy CLW2:Preserve existing school and community sportsfacilitiesThe parish council will seek to ensure that allexisting sports facilities are fully protectedwithin the Formby boundary to include:l Grass Football Pitches.l Bowling greens. l Cricket.l Tennis.

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COMMUNITY ACTIONS

CLW Community Action 1:

The provision of a new community sportsfacility, to include 3G/4G pitch, will besupported at a site to be identified as beingthe best suited to provide the facility anddetailed in the Formby and Little Altcar SportsFacility Strategy which will be produced within6 months of the NDP being made.

Justification/Supporting TextFollowing the public Inquiry for Sefton’s LocalPlan and the examiner’s initial findings, theParish Council approached Sefton Council withconcerns regarding the lack of sportingfacilities in Formby and Little Altcar. TheParish Council suggested a site in Formby andSefton Council then brought forward a further2 sites which included King George IV PlayingFields and surrounding land, Deansgate LanePlaying Fields and Formby High School toprovide this facility.

Several informal meetings have taken place atthe sites with Sefton Council appearing to bein favour of Formby High School, althoughmore work is required to bring forward theSport facility Strategy.

Formby High School already has many of thefacilities required in place to include changingrooms, showers, land availability to put in3G/4G pitch [which will address the lack ofRugby facilities], sports hall and gymnasium.This site will also be able to accommodate afull size athletics track. The site is in walkingdistance for all who live in Formby and LittleAltcar, is central to both train stations and hasgood transport links. Further discussions arecurrently ongoing with Sefton Council, theParish Council and Formby High School whoalso support this vision for the future.


The Parish Councils will actively involve localpeople in ongoing consultation in respect ofthe Formby and Little Altcar NeighbourhoodPlan and any review that may take place.

The Parish Councils are committed to beinginclusive and open in the preparation of itsneighbourhood plan and will ensure that thewider community

l kept fully informed of what is beingproposed

l are able to make their views knownthroughout the process


As Formby and Little Altcar have grown overthe years it has become clear that manycommunity facilities are lacking.

The Parish Councils will actively seekcontributions from developers in repect ofproviding the facilities in Formby which areneeded to include:

l Cycle/multipurpose track facility in DukeStreet Park.

l Better pedestrian crossings to includezebra crossing and light controlledcrossings.

l Sports facilities.

l Community Centre.

4.7 ENVIRONMENT, SUSTAINABILITY AND DESIGN

Policy ESD1:The sites set out in Table 1 and shown on mapare designated as local green space wherenew development is ruled out other than invery special circumstances.

POLICIES

Justification/Supporting TextAccessible open green spaces should beprotected The green spaces listed in the tableand shown on the map:

l Promote health and wellbeing.

l Serve the local community.

l Used for recreation purposes.

l Are special to the local community.

l Have a particular local significance.

l Are local in character and not anextensive tract of land.

l Help reduce pressure on the sensitivesites to include SSSi’s and RAMSAR.

l have opportunities to be activelyinvolved in shaping the emergingneighbourhood plan or

l are made aware of how their views haveinformed the draft neighbourhood plan.

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Ref Description Why it is special

M1 Deansgate Lane Playing Fields Public Park and Football Playing Pitches

M2 Duke St. Park Public Park and Football Playing Pitches

N1 Watchard Lane King George V Playing Field Used for recreation and Football

N2 Smithy Green Playing Field Consists of a playground and football pitches

C1 Alt Road Playground Children’s play ground and serves the local community

C2 Barkfield Lane Park Children’s play ground and serves the local community

C3 Beechwood Drive Woods

C4 Cambridge Rd. Recreation Ground Recreation ground serving the local community

C5 Church Green Pond Recreation ground serving the local community

C6 Formby Pool Situated in the village and serves the local community

C7 Greenloons Walk Open Space Recreation ground serving the local community and relievespressre on the sensitive sites.

C8 Harebell Close Site Recreation ground serving the local community

C9 Land at Bills Lane Recreation ground serving the local community

C10 Smithy Green Estate Open Space Recreation ground serving the local community

C11 Power House Site Recreation ground serving the local community

O1 Deansgate Lane North/Lingdales/Longton Drive Adds to the visual amenity for the community and used forrecreation.

O2 Allotments Altcar Road Lack of these facilities

O3 Allotments Hoggs Hill Lane Lack of these facilities

O4 Coronation Road (land at entrance from LiverpoolRoad)

Recreation ground serving the local community

O5 Hadstock Avenue & Hayden Close Recreation ground serving the local community

O6 Smithy Green Recreation ground serving the local community

O7 The Green, Gardner Road Estate Recreation ground serving the local community

O8 Lowes Green Recreation ground serving the local community

O9 Lonsdale Road/Holy Trinity School Site Recreation ground serving the local community

O10 Altcar Lane Recreation ground serving the local community

O11 Wicks Green Recreation ground serving the local community

O12 Barkfield Lane Recreation ground serving the local community

O13 Barkfield Lane both Sides (2) Recreation ground serving the local community

O14 Kings Close Adds to the visual amenity for the community

O15 Gardner Road Recreation ground serving the local community

O16 Gardner Road Greens Recreation ground serving the local community

TABLE: 1 GREEN SPACE LIST

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Map 12 - Formby Neighbourhood Area Local Green Spaces

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Policy ESD2:Development sites to provide accessible publicopen green space on site.

The following sites will require accessiblepublic open green space to be provided onsite where this site is of a size that canaccommodate this.

Land set aside for SUDs will not be seen asaccessible and useable open greenspace.

l MN2.12 (Brackenway).l MN2.13 (West Lane).l MN2.17 (Altcar Lane).l Mn2.18 (Power House phase 2).l MN2.19 (Andrew’s Close).l Mn2.14A (Shorrocks Hill) (this site will

only be included if the inspector who isconducting the emerging Sefton LocalPlan public inquiry includes this in thesite allocations).

Justification/Supporting TextThe 2015 HRA and the 2016 HRA carried outby Sefton Council both identified the fact thatthe allocation of substantial amount of newhousing to Formby will have a significantimpact on the environment. This is importantbecause of the proximity of the RAMSARconservation area, the SAC (sand dunes anddune heath) as well as SAPs.

Housing allocations MN2.12 (Brackenway),MN2.13 (West Lane), MN2.17 (Altcar Lane),Mn2.18 (Power House phase 2), MN2.19(Andrew’s Close) and Mn2.14A (Shorrocks Hill)were all identified as having both individualand cumulative effects on the environment.

Sand dunes are vulnerable to recreationaltramping in that excessive physical disturbancecan retard or set back the dune developmentprocess and lead to a reduction in habitat andspecies diversity.

In the case of Formby we have a number ofdevelopments close to the SAC which are lessthan 150 dwellings.

Therefore, the Neighbourhood Plan needs toprovide in excess of 4 Ha of accessible OpenGreen Space in order to provide the necessarymitigation identified.

Open Space as we have seen is not onlyessential for mitigating the environmentalimpact of development but is important inpromoting a healthy lifestyle and good qualityurban design.

In its history both recent and past Formby hasbeen prone to all forms of flooding (tidal,fluvial, groundwater and surface water). This

problem is likely to get worse with globalwarming.

Furthermore, in recent years this problem hasbecome compounded by a tendency for foulwater drains to become overwhelmed bysurface water during periods of prolongedrainfall.

If surface water is allowed to run off from newdevelopments onto neighbouring propertiesnot only will there be serious flooding but alsoa marked deterioration in water quality in theriver Alt and the RAMSAR area in general.

Policy ESD3:Support the development of allotments eitheron site or off site.

Policy ESD4:Development proposals, particularly wheresited on the edge of Formby or adjoining theRiver Alt must maintain visual connectionswith the countryside Where possible, openviews towards the countryside, or across openspaces, must be maintained from key existingroutes within the town.

Justification/Supporting TextTo maintain the quality of Formby’sconnection to the surrounding countryside.

Formby has clearly defined boundaries, theA565 Bypass on the east, the river Alt to theSouth, Wham Dyke/Sixteen Acre brook to thenorth and the coast to the west.

The views to the east and the south are of flatopen countryside whilst views to the northand west are of the aerodrome and woodland.

Maintain existing hedgerows and trees.

Policy ESD5:Views along streets and/or open spaces to thesurrounding countryside must be createdwithin new developments where there areopportunities to do so.

Policy ESD6:In order to protect local character, withspecific regard to the low lying nature of thesurrounding countryside, development above2 storey’s in height will not be supported(unless it can be demonstrated, through avisual impact assessment, that there will be noharm to local character).

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Policy ESD7:Development must relate well to its site andsurroundings and make a positivecontribution to local character. Developmenton the edge of the urban area shouldmaintain visual connections with thecountryside.

Policy ESD8:Developers must demonstrate in a Design andAccess Statement how their proposeddevelopment reinforces Formby & Little Altcarcharacter.

Policy ESD9:Support renewable energy in Formby,particularly solar farms and off-shore windturbines where these are in keeping with localcharacter. However, due to the geology of thearea, notably the shale and sandstone layersand faults, fracking is considered to beinappropriate and will not be supported.

Policy ESD10:All new homes must provide good quality,private outdoor space (rear garden).

l For dwellings designed to accommodate3 or more people, the minimum privategarden area is 60 sq.m.

l For dwellings accommodating up to 2people, the minimum private gardenarea is 30 sq.m.

l For flats/maisonettes, a balcony orprivate space at ground level is desirable,adequately screened and measuring aminimum of 10 sq.m in area.

Justification/Supporting TextAll new houses should benefit from privategarden space for drying clothes,accommodating pets, children's play, quietenjoyment, etc. Front gardens do notconstitute private garden space. The followingstandards should be followed, to ensure thatthe garden space reflects the size and functionof the proposed house. Appropriate screeningwith hedges, walls or fencing may benecessary to ensure that the garden space isnot overlooked from surrounding houses orgardens. Private spaces must be designed sothat residents have a reasonable amount ofsun/daylight. They should not be closelybounded by high wall or buildings.

The above are minimum standards. Largergarden plots will be encouraged, as they can

COMMUNITY ACTIONS

ESD Community Action 1:

The Parish Councils seek to maintain Sefton’spresent policy of seeking to improve thequality of Open spaces through communityinvolvement.

It is hoped that the Community Infra-StructureLevy can be used to improve the sportingfacilities at Deansgate Lane Playing Fields andKing George V Playing Field.

It is hoped that research gathered for the localplan can be used in conjunction with the NDPand future research to inform theplanting/provision of the new open greenspaces and hedgerows etc.

Policy ESD11:Where new housing development isappropriate, low energy consumption homeswill be supported.

Justification/Supporting TextThe new properties must be built with the bestmaterials so as to achieve maximum energyefficiency. Prior to approval being given thedevelopers must demonstrate to both theSefton MBC and the Parish Councils that theywill incorporate maximum insulation, minimalheat loss with the aim to reduce the carbonfootprint of the community, and guaranteelow running costs for all affordable housing.

support sustainable development by enablingresidents to grow some of their own food andto compost domestic waste.

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4.8 FLOODING

The introduction of a comprehensive up to dateFlood policy reflecting the latest environmentaldata To reduce and minimize flood risk for allexisting and future residents of Formby and LittleAltcar.

Justification for Flooding Policies

4.8.1 Formby and Little Altcar has a problem withflooding and in particular with surface waterflooding. New development must not makeexisting flooding worse. New development MUSTNOT EXACERBATE AND should aim to reduce theoverall level of flood risk in the area and beyondthrough the layout and form of the development,and the appropriate application of sustainabledrainage techniques.

4.8.2 The NDP takes Formby’s flood problems seriously.Consequently the NDP has produced a detailedFlooding Policy which incorporates the currentbest practice.

4.8.3 The National Planning Policy Framework is notlaw. It is policy designed to be interpreted andapplied locally to reflect local needs andcircumstances.” (See paragraph 2 of Appendix 1a– letter from Department for Communities and

Local Government). It sets out planning policystandards below which developments must not orshould not fall. With regard to the above, inadhering to the Framework, all developmentshould demonstrate that it has interpreted theNPPF in a manner that reflects local needs andcircumstances. In determining this it shouldacknowledge that this may not the same asmeeting a standard below which developmentshould not or must not fall

4.8.4 In view of the statement from the DCLG above, itis clear that the NPPF can be interpreted to secureimprovement on the current situation. Paragraph100 of the NPPF states, “risk-based approach tothe location of development to avoid wherepossible flood risk to people and property andmanage any residual risk, taking account of theimpacts of climate change,” Residual means“remaining after the greater part or quantity hasgone” – showing that the NPPF expects flood riskto be reduced after development has taken place.Therefore, Formby and Little Altcar ParishCouncils CONSIDER that it is imperative for newdevelopments to reduce the incidents of, orlikelihood of, flooding for existing properties nowso that taking into account climate change thesituation will not only not be made worse by thedevelopment in the future, but will have a lowerrisk of flooding of flooding in the future for bothexisting and proposed properties including takinginto account the impacts of climate change.

4.8.5 Where there are known flooding problems, eitherfor existing properties or a proposed developmentsite, especially where a proposed site is currentlyacting as a buffer strip between existing housingand a source of flooding, it is obvious that a newdevelopment must provide a solution for theexisting flooding problems before it can beapproved. It is INAPPROPRIATE AND CONSIDEREDUNACCEPTABLE for a new development to takeplace and not take advantage of possiblesolutions and leave an existing known floodingproblem unsolved. That is not only shown in thequote from NPPF para 100 above but also inparagraph 3 of the attached Appendix 3 of thisdocument which is a letter from the PlanningMinister which states, “This will include findingsatisfactory solutions to concerns about flooding.”It does not state that maintaining a currentunsatisfactory state of regular flooding isacceptable after development. The PlanningMinister used the term “satisfactory solutions”,not mitigation, therefore we expect developers toprovide positive solutions to problems, not tomerely push water away from their site.

4.8.6 Some locations are not necessarily suitable forSustainable Drainage Systems – “We encouragelocal councils to work with applicants and to

ESD Community Action 2:

The Parish Councils in association with SeftonCouncil and other partners will produced asports facility strategy within 6 months of theFormby and Little Altcar Neighbourhood Planbeing adopted.

Developer contributions will be sought fromnew residential development to fund a SportsFacilities Strategy and for the subsequentimplementation of sports facilities. Once CIL isintroduced Formby and Little Altcar ParishCouncils will seek funding for the SportsFacilities Strategy from CIL.

The Sports Facilities Strategy will be co-ordinated by Formby Parish Council and SeftonMBC and local sports clubs such as: RedgateRovers, Formby Junior Sports together withany other local sports club who wishes tobecome involved.

The Delivery Strategy provides guidance onthe Sports Facilities Strategy, and sets outfinancial contributions. Consultation with localpeople must be undertaken in producing theStrategy. The Strategy is to be agreed andadopted by Formby & Little Altcar ParishCouncils.

Future reviews of this Plan must incorporatethe Strategy’s recommendations.

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approve applications for sustainable developmentwhere possible. This will include findingsatisfactory solutions to concerns about flooding.”(See paragraph 3 of Appendix 2 – letter fromPlanning Minister) Locations that already flood, orthat are deemed to have a high risk of floodingm(please note paragraph 2 of Appendix 2 states,“flood risk from all sources”) are unlikely to bedeemed as suitable for water retention or storagesystems, as they will be concentrating more waterin areas that are already having problems withflooding from any source and will be likely toincrease problems particularly associated withground water or surface water flooding. Thereare sites within Formby that could be developed ifa satisfactory solution to the existing problem canbe found. It should be noted that storing morewater on a site that already floods and that is acontributory factor to existing propertiesflooding, cannot be deemed as acceptable, basedon either the NPPF or the correspondence fromthe DCLG or Planning Minister. Such sites maytherefore not be classed as suitable for“Sustainable Drainage Systems” and may need apositive drainage solution to reduce thelikelihood of flooding for both proposed/existingproperties.

4.8.7 Flood maps cannot be relied upon for accuracy.They can only estimate areas deemed to be “atrisk” of flooding. See the Flood Maps section ofthe Neighbourhood Plan – some locations markedas “at risk” only from a 1 in 100 year storm floodEVERY year (Formby and Little Altcar residentshave a significant quantity of evidence to backthis claim up should any party seek to claim thatcertain sites or locations only flood once in every100 years.) It can clearly be seen from theattached flood maps that significant areas ofcurrently undeveloped land are at risk fromflooding, added to the mass of evidence availablefrom residents showing that more than the areasmarked as at risk from flooding actually flood andthat such flooding occurs at significantly greaterfrequency than is claimed on the flood maps. It isa therefore a fair conclusion that the flood mapscan only be treated as a rough guide rather thana definitive of flooding locations. THERE IS LITTLEDOUBT THAT INCIDENCES OF FLOODING AREINCREASING AND BECOMING MORE SERIOUS, ASRECENT EVENTS ACROSS THE UK HAVE SHOWN.WE TAKE THIS VERY SERIOUSLY AND SET OUT ANAPPROACH, HAVING REGARD TO NATIONALPOLICY, TO DEAL WITH THE ISSUE.

4.8.8 Insurance companies know that flood maps areEFFECTIVELY a rough guide. Therefore, whenassessing properties for flood risk, insurancecompanies use a variety of data sources to assess

risk and do not use boundaries between floodzones marked on flood maps as definitive. Frominformation based on additional information,including claims history, insurance companies willdeem a property as “at risk” of flooding, not justif it is in a flood zone, but if it is near a floodzone. Different insurance companies use differentdistances to assess if a property is at risk. Theminimum distance quoted is generally 50m, butsome state that a property is at risk if it is within500m of a flood zone or a source of flooding.Appendix 3 (a to e) show a consultant’s report forexisting property in Formby with the conclusionthat property within 250m of a flood zone is atrisk of flooding.

The Parish Council strongly recommends thatdevelopment does not take place within 250metres of a flood zone in Formby. Whilst land useplanning policy does not provide the statutorybasis to provide for this, common sense wouldsuggest that it is in everyone’s interest thatdevelopment steers clear of areas not covered byanything other than specialist insurance.

Their interpretation applies even to propertiesthat are apparently “safe” from flooding, butbecause they are near a source of flooding, theproperty will be counted as “at risk”. Thisparticularly applies to new properties as the“Flood Re” insurance scheme (as of 2016) doesnot cover new properties of any sort (businesspremises or private dwellings). The low lyingnature of the ground and the very shallowgradient of rise in ground levels moving awayfrom Downholland Brook and the River Alt meansthat only a very slight rise in flood water levelswill result in significantly increased areas beingsusceptible to additional flooding. Encouragingbuilding within those distances will result in newproperties being difficult to insure for flooding –Formby and Little Altcar Parish Councils would notknowingly want to have uninsurable propertiesbuilt.

4.8.9 Displacement pushes existing water elsewhere, itssuccess is dependent upon the new accumulationsof water being directed towards areas where itcan be received and managed in a manner suchthat it will reduce the risk of flooding. As the landon and surrounding development sites in Formbyis heavily constrained due to high levels of groundwater and surface water flooding displacement isvery likely to increase risk of flooding elsewhere.

4.8.10 Formby sits in a bowl of low lying saturated landwith a high water table. It is constrained to thewest by higher ground and sand dunes, to thenorth by higher ground at the Airfield, to the eastby Formby Bypass and Down Holland Brook and

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south by the river Alt. During prolonged rainfallno water can leave Formby, the ground becomessaturated and soakaways that serve the housingestates adjacent to the development sites fail,causing surface water flooding leading to foulwater discharge from the sewers.

4.8.11 Preloading of the ground will cause adisplacement of existing groundwater. It is clearthat the same quantity of water beingconcentrated in a smaller available area (afterdevelopment) will cause increased flood risk toexisting properties as well as un developed areas.

4.8.12 Due to the constraints of Formby and Little Altcarland drainage addressing surface water by“compensatory land lowering” is unlikely toincrease the sites’ capacity to store water and mayinduce water to gather and remain in areaslonger, thus increasing the ground water tableand associated problems with surface waterflooding and ground water

4.8.13 Where development increases the risk of floodingonly then to seek to mitigate for the additionalrisk, it shall be considered a less satisfactorysolution. Fighting off the effects of newdevelopment rather than solving the underlyingcause of flooding threatens Formby and LittleAltcar’s ability to adapt to climate change. Wherea solution to a flooding problem is not available,Formby and Little Altcar Parish Councils will seekto ensure that the Developer justifies why thesite they are proposing is being developed at alland that a more suitable site is not availableelsewhere.

4.8.14 Storm return period data can be misinterpretedor misrepresented. A 1 in 100 storm refers to a 1%probability of a storm happening in any one year.It is perfectly possible to have two 1 in 100 yearstorms in a week, never mind a year. A 1 in 100year storm is not unlikely and is therefore deemedas the minimum level to be taken into account inthe NPPF.

4.8.15 Some other organisations (for example theEnvironment Agency or a water company) mayobject to a development on particular groundsand once certain criteria have been met, maywithdraw their objection. This does not mean thatthe development can be deemed as “approved”,only that their original reason for objection hasbeen met. For example, if the EnvironmentAgency object to a development because a FloodRisk Assessment has not been produced, justbecause the developer produces a FRA does notmean that the site will be approved. It is obviousthat the Flood Risk Assessment has to prove thatthe design will not increase flood risk, either on

the proposed site or elsewhere – any queriesabout the validity of proof in the FRA will meanthe cause for the objection cannot have been met.THE PARISH COUNCILS WILL MONITORAPPLICATIONS AND ENSURE THAT ABSENCE OFOBJECTION IS NOT TAKEN TO BE THE SAMETHING AS APPROVAL. THE LOCAL PLANNINGAUTHORITY MUST TAKE INTO ACCOUNT ALLEVIDENCE BEFORE IT.

Policy FLD1:All development that impacts on flood riskMUST demonstrate that it does not increaseflood risk within Formby or Little Altcar orneighbouring area.

Justification/Supporting TextFor the purpose of emphasis, given Formby’’slow lying position and significant susceptibilityto flooding…

l Displacement pushes existing waterelsewhere, its success is dependent uponthe new accumulations of water beingdirected towards areas where it can bereceived and managed in a manner suchthat it will reduce the risk of flooding. Asthe land on and surroundingdevelopment sites in Formby is heavilyconstrained due to high levels of groundwater and surface water floodingdisplacement is very likely to increaserisk of flooding elsewhere.

l Formby sits in a bowl of low lyingsaturated land with a high water table.It is constrained to the west by higherground and sand dunes, to the north byhigher ground at the Airfield, to the eastby Formby Bypass and Down HollandBrook and south by the river Alt. Duringprolonged rainfall no water can leaveFormby, the ground becomes saturatedand soakaways that serve the housingestates adjacent to the developmentsites fail, causing surface water floodingleading to foul water discharge from thesewers.

l Preloading of the ground will cause adisplacement of existing groundwater. Itis clear that the same quantity of waterbeing concentrated in a smaller availablearea (after development) will causeincreased flood risk to existingproperties as well as un developed areas.

l Due to the constraints of Formby andLittle Altcar land drainage addressingsurface water by “compensatory landlowering” is unlikely to increase the

FLOODING POLICIES

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Policy FLD4:The preparation of a Flood Risk Assessment initself does not constitute the acceptability orsuitability of a site for development.

In support of applications requiring an FRA forFormby and Little Altcar, developers should:

l identify any existing problemsl identify the causes of those problemsl identify what needs to be done to cure

those problems, and l identify the likely effects of their designs

on all drainage aspects, includingwatercourses, water table/groundwateretc.

Policy FLD5:Development proposals are stronglyencouraged to demonstrate a wider moreholistic approach to land drainage.

Justification/Supporting TextDevelopers are strongly encouraged to takeinto account how their site fits in to theoverall pattern of land drainage in Formbyand Little Altcar and should demonstrate thatin the event of interrupting natural or existingdrainage patterns this will not lead to increaserisk if flooding elsewhere.

Policy FLD6:Development should seek to demonstrate anet reduction in water entering the River Altafter development takes place.

Policy FLD7:Development in areas at highest risk offlooding as identified by the environmentflood risk maps other than flood defenceworks or other essential infrastructure will notbe supported.

Policy FLD8:Development should not lead to a netincrease in surface water run-off.

Policy FLD9:Development will not be permitted in floodattenuation areas where that developmentwould reduce the ability of these areas toalleviate flooding.

Policy FLD2:A Flood Risk Assessment MUST DEMONSTRATEthat there will be no additional flood risk orflooding to either the proposed developmentor elsewhere.

Policy FLD3:Having regard to Formby’s susceptibility toflooding, where possible, developers FloodRisk Assessments will be expected todemonstrate that there will be a tangible,definite, measurable, improvement in floodrisk and actual flooding.

sites’ capacity to store water and mayinduce water to gather and remain inareas longer, thus increasing the groundwater table and associated problemswith surface water flooding and groundwater.

l Where development increases the risk offlooding only then to seek to mitigatefor the additional risk, it shall beconsidered a less satisfactory solution.Fighting off the effects of newdevelopment rather than solving theunderlying cause of flooding threatensFormby and Little Altcar’s ability toadapt to climate change. Where asolution to a flooding problem is notavailable, Formby and Little Altcar ParishCouncils will seek to ensure that theDeveloper justifies why the site they areproposing is being developed at all andthat a more suitable site is not availableelsewhere.

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Policy FLD10:All developments in flood sensitive areas,including new green spaces/landscaping mustnot increase risk of flooding elsewhere andSHOULD be designed and constructed toreduce the overall level of flood risk whencompared to the pre-development state.

Policy FLD11:Development must seek to minimise theimpact on the combined sewers through areduction in water use, the incorporation ofsoakaways where the ground permits or theuse of sustainable drainage systems (SUDS).

Policy FLD12:No development will be permitted whichreduces the ability of existing drains, sewers orflood attenuation areas to alleviate flooding.

Policy FLD13:Development will not be supported whichreduces the ability of existing drains, sewers orflood attenuation areas to alleviate flooding.

FLOODING COMMUNITY ACTIONS

FLD Community Action 1:

Formby and Little Altcar Parish Councils willseek to ensure that an FRA that doesn’t meetthe requirements of policy 3 is not seen asrobust evidence that a site is suitable fordevelopment.


When Applying the Sequential Test it isimportant to determine whether suitable landelsewhere can be found for proposeddevelopment. When determining theException Test an assessment must be made asto whether a wider sustainability benefit tothe community outweighs flood risk. Giventhis Formby or Little Altcar Parish Councils willseek to ensure that development meets therequirements for either the Sequential Test orthe Exception Test.


Where development increases the risk offlooding only then to seek to mitigate for thisadditional risk, this shall be considered a lesssatisfactory solution. In these circumstances, adeveloper should seek to justify why the sitethey are proposing to develop is beingdeveloped at all and that a more suitable siteis not available elsewhere.


Due to the ground conditions and drainagesituation in Formby and Little Altcar, the ParishCouncils will look favourably on developerswho pay for an independent assessment oftheir design, network modelling and FloodRisk Assessment, and if deemed necessary byFormby or Little Altcar Parish Councils, to payfor an independent Flood Risk Assessment, tobe carried out by a consultant chosen byFormby and Little Altcar Parish Council, whichshall be for the sole use of Formby or LittleAltcar Parish Councils.


Information submitted by developers in theform of Flood Risk Assessments, networkmodelling, surveys, ground investigationreports etc. can and will be used by Formby orLittle Altcar Parish Councils as an evidencedatabase for future investigations into anyproblems associated with sites and as such maybe used to prove responsibility if problemsarise.

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SECTION 5 Site Specific Requirements

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This Section of the Plan deals with the sitesallocated within the emerging Sefton LocalPlan. For each site, the following informationis provided:

l Site Allocation plan, identifying the overallextent of the land allocated fordevelopment.

l An explanation of the ‘Key Considerations’affecting the site. These typically includeissues such as the landscape within the site,views to the site and potential connectionsto the surrounding area, flooding, trafficand have been considered in setting out thepolicy requirements for each site.

l Policy requirements, setting out the numberof dwellings allocated on the site and anyother allocations, along with the area ofopen space. The policy requirements includespecific issues such as the type of open spacethat must be provided and building height.

It is important that two definitions are clearlyunderstood: residential density and publicly accessibleopen space.

Residential DensityWith the removal of Planning Policy Statements, there isno longer a national definition of how residentialdensity is calculated. However, in the absence ofguidance most Local Planning Authorities fall back onthe old PPS3 (Housing) definition, which states:

Net dwelling density is calculated by includingonly those site areas which will be developed forhousing and directly associated uses, includingaccess roads within the site, private garden space,car parking areas, incidental open space andlandscaping and children’s play areas, wherethese are provided.

Gross dwelling density is calculated on the basis of grosssite area, which includes buffer planting, roads servingnot only the development but the wider area (e.g.distributor roads) and open space that serves not onlythe development but the wider population.

The Plan therefore assumes that buffer planting will berequired within the defined residential developmentareas to successfully address landscape and visual impactissues. Such buffer planting does not form part of thenet developable area.

Sites MN2.12, MN2.14, MN2.16, MN2.17, MN2.18 andMN2.19 have issues of visual impact that will need to bemitigated in the way in which the development isdesigned. This should be reflected in the initial designwork undertaken by developers of these sites.

Publicly Accessible Open SpaceThe Plan identifies sites MN2.12, MN2.14, MN2.16,MN2.17, MN2.18 and MN2.19 as having land that shouldremain undeveloped as open space on the basis of visualimpact, flooding and relationship to existing landscape.For example, the existing hedgerows form the boundarybetween the area allocated for residential developmentand the area allocated for open space in Site MN2.16.

The policy requirement plans define the areas of openspace as ‘publicly accessible’. This means that developersare required to provide public access through theseopen spaces.

Public open space required on sites MN2.12, MN2.16and MN2.19 should be at least 25% and it is notconsidered that SUDS or any other section dedicated toaddress flooding issues can be taken into this 25% andincluded as green space.

Where allocated sites require a site-specific HabitatsRegulations Assessment at the planning applicationstage, as set out below, more information is set out inthe Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) of the LocalPlan.

Information about HRA requirements for sites withspecific policies, safeguarded land and the gypsy andtraveller sites allocations are set out in the explanationto those policies.

Other site-specific requirements are set out below.Appropriate species surveys will be required todetermine the presence/ likely absence of target specieswhere identified. Developers must ensure that sufficientinformation is provided with the planning applicationto enable the Council to make a Habitats RegulationsAssessment.

For example, a site specific Habitats RegulationsAssessment for sites within sensitive areas for birdslisted in the Special Protection Area (SPA) or Ramsar sitecitations will be likely to require a non-breeding birdsurvey during autumn, winter and spring to support anyplanning application. In such cases the site should besurveyed by an experienced ornithologist twice permonth from September to March. The provision ofreplacement habitat will be required if the site isestablished to regularly support over 1% of theSPA/Ramsar population of that species. In some cases,the site-specific Habitats Regulations Assessment mayneed to focus on impacts on the integrity of theamphibian populations of the Ramsar site, for examplenatterjack toads, great crested newts.

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SITE MN2.16 - Land at Liverpool Road

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Key Considerations

MN2.16 Land at Liverpool Road

Site MN.2.16 is located to the east of Formby and LittleAltcar. Liverpool road is immediately to the south withFormby bypass to the east with both forming the mainapproaches into Formby and Little Altcar.

Site MN.2.16 can be divided into two parts: the easternside which is defined by fields enclosed by hedgerowsand trees, and the western side which is situatedimmediately behind LA Fitness. Site MN.2.16 is highlyvisible from the A565 (Formby Bypass ) and forms agateway into Little Altcar and Formby.

Part of the north-eastern area of the site and southeastern have problems with surface water flooding andno built development may take place in this area.

Sefton MBC own the land where Alt Road children’splayground is currently situated.

There are good bus services on Liverpool Road and it isimportant that convenient pedestrian access is provided

to bus stops. Pedestrian and cycle links to the towncentre are currently constrained by narrow pavements,so new development must improve links to reducereliance on private cars.

Visual sensitivity is a key consideration.

A Design Brief must be produced setting out theprinciples for development. This Brief must be discussedand agreed with Formby Parish Council within areasonable time, prior to being submitted as part of anyplanning application. The development must beimplemented in accordance with the principles set outin the Design Brief.

The Design Brief must include the following principles:

l Housing mix styles. These should includestarter homes, affordable homes and homesfor the aging population in order todownsize.

l Creating a natural green area.

l retaining existing trees and hedgerows.

l Providing publicly accessible green space.This green space to be designed bydeveloping a landscape approach thatreinforces historic field boundaries.

l Both areas of land to be submitted as partof any planning application.

l Linking green spaces with green ‘corridors’through the built area to enhancebiodiversity and create a high qualityenvironment.

l Providing pedestrian links within the greenspaces, and connect these to the residentialarea.

l Improving pedestrian and cycle links to thetown centre.

l To have only one access onto Liverpool Roadwhich serves both sites.

l Ensuring that the overall approach to builtform, street layout and landscape anddwelling density minimises the visual impactof the development and relates sensitivelyto the area. Principles shall include:

a) substantial landscape buffer planting shallbe designed to connect through the builtarea of development to the open spacebuffer on the perimeter of the site

b) buildings must not exceed 2 storeys, butmay be acceptable subject to detailed visualimpact assessment.

l Designing the western part of theresidential area to be sensitive to adjoiningproperties, the character of Alt Road and tominimise visual impact with a planted bufferzone.

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l Reducing the density of dwellings on theedges of the residential area to help createa gradual transition from built area togreen space.

l Preserve the setting of grade II listedLoveladys Farmhouse and adjacent buildingsby leaving the far west of the site (south ofthe existing gymnasium) open; and beserved by a single point of access ontoLiverpool Road, located to the east of theexisting drainage ditch that runs south fromno. 28 Monks Drive to Liverpool Road this isto avoid ‘rat running’ and unacceptabletraffic congestion on Liverpool Road;

l The site should be properly screened fromexisting property.

l Tree planting using appropriate speciesshould be carried out where possible.

l Accessible public green space should beprovided for the whole Community andprovided with a full maintenance plan.

l The existing development should beproperly integrated with the existinghousing development mindful of the lowlying landscape and adjacent single storeyhousing.

l To maintain and improve the Lunt’s Lanefootpath.

l Provide a road up to the land ownershipboundary (which comprises a drainageditch) without leaving any ‘ransom strip’.This is to provide access into the westernpart of the site, and must be completed toan adoptable standard before occupation ofthe 50th dwelling; and

l Identify opportunities to reduce flood riskelsewhere through a site Flood RiskAssessment, and implement any appropriatesolutions.

l Any water storage areas must not be of adepth to pose a risk to property or humanlife. Any flood risk measures should beaccompanied with a fully comprehensiveplan for maintenance.

l Foul Water pumping stations or electricitysub stations should be be sited near anyexisting property which either overlooks orbacks onto the site and these should besited within the development at thefurthest point from existing homes.

l The following surveys will be requiredbefore development can take place:

a) Bat Survey

b) Full Ecological Survey

c) Habitat Regulations Assessment.

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SITE MN2.12 - Land at Bracken Way

Key Considerations

MN2.12 Land at Bracken Way

Land at Brackenway, Formby has been identified as ahousing allocation under Policy MN2.12 throgh theemerging Sefton Local Plan. The allocation of this site isintended to provide a high quality extension to thenorth of Formby that provides a range of local benefits.The policy below sets out the site specific requirementsthat will apply to this site.

Site MN.2.12 is located to the north of Formby and LittleAltcar. Its boundary is the A565 (Formby Bypass) andcan be clearly seen from the A565 on the southerlyapproach to Formby and Little Altcar.

Just under 50% of the site is in Flood Zones 2 and 3.

There are no bus services to this part of Formby.


A Design Brief must be produced setting out theprinciples for development. This Brief must be discussedand agreed with Formby Parish Council within areasonable time, prior to being submitted as part of any

planning application. The development must beimplemented in accordance with the principles set outin the Design Brief.



l creating a natural green area

l retaining existing trees and hedgerows

l providing publicly accessible green space.This green space to be designed bydeveloping a landscape approach thatreinforces historic field boundaries

l linking green spaces with green ‘corridors’through the built area to enhancebiodiversity and create a high qualityenvironment

l providing pedestrian links within the greenspaces, and connect these to the residentialarea.

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l Improving pedestrian and cycle links to thetown centre

l to have only one access

l ensuring that the overall approach to builtform, street layout and landscape anddwelling density minimises the visual impactof the development. Principles shallinclude:

a) substantial landscape buffer planting shallbe designed to connect through the builtarea of development to the open spacebuffer on the perimeter of the site

b) buildings must not exceed 2 storeys, butmay be acceptable subject to detailed visualimpact assessment

l designing the site to be sensitive toadjoining properties, the character of thesurrounding area and to minimise visualimpact with a planted buffer zone.

l reducing the density of dwellings on theedges of the residential area to help createa gradual transition from built area togreen space.

l tree planting using appropriate speciesshould be carried out which also helps withflooding

l Accessible Open space should be providedfor the whole Community and providedwith a full maintenance plan



Include a flood risk mitigation scheme that:

i) ensures that new dwellings are not at riskfrom either fluvial flooding in a 1 in 1000year event, or flooding from any othersource, and

ii) ensures that there is no increase in floodrisk elsewhere caused by the development,and

iii) Clearly demonstrate significantly reducesthe existing surface water flood risk toproperties on Hawksworth Drive bydirecting flood flows away from Eight AcreBrook to new flood storage areas adjacentto the Formby Bypass, and

iv) is accompanied by a maintenanceplan/arrangement that ensures the floodrisk mitigation scheme and existingwatercourses within the site are maintainedin perpetuity.

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Retain and manage 7.9 ha of grassland and wetlandhabitats outside of the residential allocation as a bufferzone to the adjacent nature reserve, includingadditional species enhancement measures. In addition,main water courses within the site (including WhamDyke) must be maintained and enhanced withwatercourse buffer habitats.

The developers need to clearly demonstrate that thesite can be developed in a way that will substantiallyreduce existing flood risk, particularly to properties onHawksworth Drive, and new dwellings can be made safefrom flood risk by raising the level of the land. Thesebenefits, in addition to the significant ecological andtraffic / highways benefits, justify the allocation of thesite.

The requirements set out above will ensure that theexisting surface water flood risk to properties onHawksworth Drive is significantly reduced. This will besecured by the creation of new flood water storageareas adjacent to the Formby Bypass, improvements toexisting defences, and other mitigation measures. Theflood risk mitigation scheme implemented as part of thedevelopment must be managed and maintained inperpetuity. The water storage areas must not be of adepth to pose a risk to property or human life.

The Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) of the LocalPlan requires a site specific HRA for this site, in order toprovide appropriate protection to the integrity of theSpecial Area of Conservation/Special ProtectionAreas/Ramsar sites bird populations. Appropriate speciessurveys will be required as well as a full winter birdsurvey to determine the presence/ likely absence oftarget species where identified. Information must beprovided about the impact of recreational pressure onthe integrity of the internationally important naturesites. Sufficient information must be provided with theplanning application to enable the Council to make aHabitats Regulations Assessment.

The site is currently identified as a Local Wildlife Site.However, the provision of 7.9 hectares of managedgrassland and wetland habitats will provide a majorecological enhancement. This will constitute asignificant net ecological benefit. The site is currentlydesignated as a Local Wildlife Site (LWS). However, over50% of the LWS will be lost as a result of this allocation.The management of the remaining 7.9 hectares withinthe LWS as managed grassland and wetland habitatswill provide a major ecological enhancement to theexisting LWS site. This will constitute a significant netecological benefit, despite the smaller size of theremaining LWS. As well as securing ecological benefits,it is anticipated that constructive management of thisLWS will also provide the means of reducingrecreational pressure on the nearby internationallyimportant nature sites. Therefore, it must be accessibleto the community.

A new signal controlled junction must also be providedonto the Formby Bypass to facilitate and provide accessinto the site.

This site scores poorly on accessibility and currentlythere are no public transport links and therefore if thissite were to be developed there needs to be animprovement. In order to make this site sustainablethere should be:

l The provision of a bus stop linking the siteto the existing bus service

l Given that a second exit is planned on thealready congested Paradise Lane a propertraffic survey needs to be carried out with aview to improving this bottle neck.

l A Pegasus/pedestrian/cycle crossing shouldbe added at the proposed junction linkingthe site with the other side of the bypass.



d) Bat Survey

e) Full Ecological Survey

f) Habitat Regulations Assessment

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SITE MN2.19 - Land at Andrews Close

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Key Considerations

MN2.19 Land at Andrews Close








l Providing publicly accessible green space.This green space to be designed bydeveloping a landscape approach thatreinforces historic field boundaries




l to have only one access

l ensuring that the overall approach to builtform, street layout and landscape anddwelling density minimises the visual impactof the development. Principles shallinclude:

c) substantial landscape buffer planting shallbe designed to connect through the builtarea of development to the open spacebuffer on the perimeter of the site

d) buildings must not exceed 2 storeys, butmay be acceptable subject to detailed visualimpact assessment

l designing the site to be sensitive toadjoining properties, the character of thesurrounding area and to minimise visualimpact with a planted buffer zone..

l tree planting using appropriate speciesshould be carried out



l Any water storage areas must not be of adepth to pose a risk to property or human

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life. Any flood risk measures should beaccompanied with a fully comprehensiveplan for maintenance.

l This site cannot be developed until a fullsurvey has been carried in accordance withthe requirements of HRA 2015, including afull winter bird survey.

l provide new public open space, SustainableDrainage Systems and habitat creation onthe adjacent land designated as ‘ProposedOpen Space’ Any water storage areas mustnot be of a depth to pose a risk to propertyor human life; and

l provide for the connection of the existingFormby footpath no. 35 through thedevelopment onto Andrew’s Lane.

l Maintain the North/South Strategic pathand cycle route 810.

l Where possible cyclists and walkers to bekept separate from motor vehicles.

l Given the proximity of the railway crossingand existing congestion problems thereneeds to be a comprehensive congestion/accessibility study before any developmenttakes place.

l Protect and enhance the drainage ditches asthey are an important habitat for watervoles and other biodiversity action planspecies.



g) Bat Survey

h) Full Ecological Survey

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SITE MN2.18 - Land at Hoggs Hill Lane (Powerhouse Phase 2)

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Key Considerations

MN2.18 Land at Hoggs Hill Lane(Powerhouse Phase 2)









l both areas of land to be submitted as partof any planning application.




l The site should be properly screened fromexisting property

l tree planting using appropriate speciesshould be carried out where possible




l ensure that sufficient information isprovided with the planning application toenable the Council to make a HabitatsRegulations Assessment. This site cannot bedeveloped until a full survey has beencarried in accordance with the requirementsof HRA 2015 including a full winter birdsurvey.

l The development should sympatheticallyrelate to existing properties

l The “white Space” should be returned tothe Greenbelt and form a green bufferplanted with natural species

l The development should allow for access tothe Alt Strategic Path in line with EQ(9)from the emerging Sefton Local Plan whichrequires that Strategic Paths be kept open.

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SITE MN2.15 - Formby PDC Centre, Park Road

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Key Considerations

MN2.15 Formby PDC Centre, Park Road

l The Raven Meols Community Centre is listedas an Asset of Community Value under theCommunity Right to Bid provisions of theLocalism Act 2011. The obligations underthe relevant statutory provisions andregulations will need to be met, as will therequirements of policy HC6.

l To provide for mitigation for loss of existingaccessible Open space.






l ensuring that the overall approach to builtform, street layout and landscape anddwelling density minimises the visual impactof the development



l This site cannot be developed until a fullsurvey has been carried in accordance withthe requirements of HRA 2015 including afull winter bird survey.

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SITE MN2.13 - Land at West Lane

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Key Considerations

MN2.13 Land at West Lane








l The site should be properly screened fromexisting property



l The existing development should beproperly integrated with the existinghousing



l This site cannot be developed until a fullsurvey has been carried in accordance withthe requirements of HRA 2015. This mustinclude information about the impact ofrecreational pressure on the integrity ofinternationally important nature sites aswell as a full winter bird survey.

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SITE MN2.48 - Land North of Formby Industrial Estate

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Key Considerations

MN2.48 Land North of Formby IndustrialEstate



l developer contributions to provide for theupgrading of Mittens Lane to provide apedestrian cycle link to the site

l The provision of a bus stop

l Preservation of the open water course onthe southern boundary with buffer strip andprogramme of maintenance in keeping withconservation of biodiversity action planspecies.

l Preserve the mature hedge to the west ofthe site with a buffer strip of vegetationthat sits behind.

l Preserve the mature hedgerow and openwater course to the northern edge of thesite

l Screening to the public footpath

l This site should be for employment use only

l Tree planting using appropriate speciesshould be carried out

l Provide a public footpath along theembankment of Downholland Brook

l Currently there is no public transport to thissite and this needs to be addressed prior toany development taking place

l Provide sensitive landscaping to encouragebiodiversity

l This site cannot be developed until a fullsurvey has been carried in accordance withthe requirements of HRA 2015. This mustinclude information about the impact ofrecreational pressure on the integrity ofinternationally important nature sites aswell as a full winter bird survey.

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SITE MN2.17 - Land at Altcar Lane

Key Considerations

MN2.17 Land at Altcar Lane



l The ancient hedgerow should be retainedand enhanced by planting natural species.

l Given the already congested nature of thisroad there must be adequate off roadparking

l Any new development must be sympatheticto the existing properties in terms of styleand placing so as to preserve something ofthe open outlook

l This site cannot be developed until a fullsurvey has been carried in accordance withthe requirements of HRA 2015 including afull winter bird survey.

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SITE MN2.14A - Shorrock’s Hill

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Key ConsiderationsMN2.14A Shorrock’s Hill



l Bat Survey

l Full Ecological Survey

l Habitat Regulations Assessment

l Development on this site will be supportedif it is in compliance with the followingNation Planning Policy FrameworkParagraph 89 development specifications.

l “ A local planning authority should regardthe construction of new buildings as

inappropriate in Green Belt. Exceptions tothis are:

a) buildings for agriculture and forestry;

b) provision of appropriate facilities foroutdoor sport, outdoor recreation andfor cemeteries, as long as it preservesthe openness of the Green Belt anddoes not conflict with the purposes ofincluding land within it;

l the extension or alteration of a buildingprovided that it does not result indisproportionate additions over and abovethe size of the original building;

l the replacement of a building, provided thenew building is in the same use and notmaterially larger than the one it replaces.”

l Development should seek to preservecurrent Equine use and seek to improvethese facilities.

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6 DEVELOPERS WORKING WITHTHE COMMUNITY

6.1 It is important that, based on the amount of sitesto be built on, that the developers work with thecommunity and address their concerns which havebeen an issue in the past.

6.2 In this regard we have prepared the followingdocument called “Putting the Community First”and we would encourage and support alldevelopers who sign up to this agreement.

6.3 Putting the Community First

LEGAL CONTROLS

The Town and Country Planning Act 1990 permitsthe planning authority (Sefton MBC) to attachconditions to planning decisions and it is arequirement to fully comply with any conditionsimposed.

Formby Parish Council will actively seek to enforcenon-compliance of relevant planning conditionsso it is important to ensure that these areconsidered carefully and addressed prior to anydevelopment commencing.

The Control of Pollution Act 1974 andEnvironmental Protection Act 1990 places specificduties on building contractors to ensure thatnoise, smoke and dust is kept to a minimum.Formby Parish Council will also actively seek toenforce the requirements of this legislation.

The Environmental Health Section of Sefton MBCimposes certain restrictions and conditions onworking hours, methods of work and type ofequipment used to ensure noise levels are kept toan acceptable level. Where necessary, notices willbe served to require alternative working methodsor preventative measures. Whilst planningpermission gives you authority to build you arereminded to check if any other consents arerequired, such as building regulation approval orhighway works licenses prior to starting work.

Any damage to the public highway caused bytraffic movement and skip parking relating to anydevelopment will be required to be made goodby the developer.

PARKING AND TRAFFIC

A great deal of ill-feeling is often caused bycontractors and their staff occupying parkingspaces normally used by residents and blockingroads with deliveries.

The Formby Parish Council has no powers toprevent this but it is within the power ofcontractors to avoid or reduce this problem by

encouraging staff intent on commuting by car topark further away and by seeking, as far aspossible, to stagger deliveries and not to block orobstruct roads and driveways.

Before starting work, it is suggested that youmake it clear to your contractors what theexisting parking arrangements are locally andensure that all staff respect this. Similarlyequipment and portable toilets should not be leftor used from the roadside. Neighbouringresidents will normally accept temporaryinterruptions of access during major deliveries ofconcrete, materials etc.

Ensure that vehicles do not block paths androads/highways and contractors do not leave theirvehicles’ engines running whilst they arestationary (unless this is necessary for hydraulicswork).

PERMITTED HOURS OF WORK

The permitted hours of work when noise can beaudible at a construction site boundary are:

MONDAY TO FRIDAY 8:00am to 6:00pm

SATURDAY 8:00am to 1:00pm

SUNDAY AND BANK HOLIDAYS No work allowed

Any noisy operations outside these hours cannotbe undertaken without prior approval of theEnvironmental Services department and FormbyParish Council and permission is only granted inexceptional circumstances, e.g. emergency works,in which case the Environmental Health Sectionshould be contacted as soon as possible.

NOISE & VIBRATION – GENERAL

Noise and vibration must be kept to a minimumby methods of work that conform with the ‘Codeof Practice for Noise and Vibration Control onConstruction and Open Sites’ (See BS 5228 Parts 2and 4: 1997, and EC and UK Noise Legislation, asapplicable).

At all times the best practicable means as definedin the Act must be employed to reduce noise.Only the quietest plant or machinery should beused, and all equipment should be maintained ingood mechanical order and fitted withappropriate silencers, mufflers or acoustic covers.

Stationary noise sources should be sited as faraway as possible from neighbouring properties.Acoustic barriers consisting of site materials suchas bricks, earth mounds or proprietary typesshould be constructed when noise cannot besufficiently reduced by careful siting of noisesources.

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Piling should be carried out by methods causingminimum noise and vibration. All workers on sitemust be made aware of the need to keep noiseand disruption to a minimum from buildingworks, equipment, plant and machinery, radios,music, vehicles or any other sources.

The movement of vehicles to and from the sitemust be controlled to minimise noise anddisturbance to nearby residents.

SMOKE

Before works start precautions should be taken toprevent smoke on site from machinery, vehicles orcombustion.

Bonfires are not permitted. Petrol and dieselengines used to power equipment and plantshould not emit dark smoke once the runningtemperature of the engine has been reached, andshould be regularly checked and maintained toprevent smoke and fumes.

DUST/DEBRIS

Prevention measures should be taken to minimisethe formation and spread of dust and dirt. Dustshould be controlled at source by a continuousfine water spray. To ensure that this is done anadequate water supply must be provided, withsufficient hoses to reach all parts of the site with ameans of disposal of waste water. The wheels ofconstruction vehicles should always be cleanedbefore exiting a building site. A good guidancedocument is The Control of Dust and Emissionsfrom Construction and Demolition - Best PracticeGuidance

PROTECTION OF TREES

Any works to or close to trees and hedgerowsmust be carefully planned to ensure no harm iscaused.

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APPENDIX A summary of questionnaires

1.1 Based in the results of these questionnaires oneof the most important issues for the communitywas the protection of the Greenbelt and theirgreen spaces and topped the list for the surveys.

In summary the quick questionnaire, resulted in:95% said it was very important/important toprotect the green belt and 94% said it was veryimportant/important to protect the urban opengreen spaces. However only 21% said it was veryimportant/important to build new homes, with38% indicating it was somewhat important tobuild new homes. [Graph 1].

Over 67% felt that the number of housesproposed in the Local Plan was too high, with14% stating it was about right.

Having control over development was also a highpropority with 83% stating they wanted somecontrol over future development within thecommunity, see [Graph 2}.

WHAT IS MORE IMPORTANT TOYOU FOR THE FUTURE OF FORMBY

WOULD YOU, AS A COMMUNITY,LIKE TO HAVE SOME CONTROL OVER

DEVELOPMENT IN YOUR AREA?

GRAPH 1

GRAPH 2

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1.2 UNDER 18s SURVEY SUMMARY

As part of the Parish Councils’ preparation for theNeighbourhood Plan the Parish Council produceda comprehensive on-line survey to collectinformation about the views of those aged under18 in the Neighbourhood Plan area and workedclosely with the local schools. The survey was acompilation of 32 questions. The final questionwas an open invitation for respondents to offerany further comments that they felt had not beencovered during the main body of the survey.[1443 under 18s responded to the questionnaire]

l Schools Profile (Acquiring demographicinformation)

l Living in Formbyl The Village Centrel Sports/Club Facilitiesl Duke Street Parkl Community Eventsl Future Involvementl What is wantedl Is There Anything Else (Open invitation

comments)

SCHOOLS PROFILE

Respondents were asked various questionsrelating to their schools, locations and method oftravel. Most respondents (72%) attended HighSchool and were in the 12-15 age groups (57%).With regards to transportation most respondentswalked to school (56%) or were taken by car(39%); additionally, 18% used a bicycle.

KEY POINTS:

l These figures not only highlight the degreeof road usage related to school traffic butalso the number of respondents (74%), whowalk or cycle, who are more exposed to thepotential danger on the roads.

l The Neighbourhood Plan should takeconsideration of the road safety of theschool children when looking at transportand infrastructure by providing morecrossings and improved traffic flow.

LIVING IN FORMBY

Respondents were asked what they liked anddisliked about living in the Formby area. Of therespondents that lived in Formby (96%) there wasa positive response to the natural features of thearea (Beach 64%, Nature Reserve 36%, GreenSpaces 38%), and also to the transportinfrastructure to access Liverpool and Southport(46%) and Formby Pool complex which providesopen space, swimming and a small traininggymnasium (49%). Additionally the local schoolsare well liked, being represented at 57%.

When asked about aspects of Formby that were

disliked over half (56%) said there was nothingfor them to do, nearly half (45%) said the roadswere not safe and that there was a lack ofsporting facilities (28%). Related comments arethat there is a dislike of speeding drivers and poorroad safety, no shops for the young, the toilets inDuke Street Park, and the number of CharityShops in the village.

KEY POINTS

l The natural elements of the area are likedand the Neighbourhood Plan should seek toenhance and support these features.

l Road safety is a main concern. TheNeighbourhood Plan should look atproviding more light controlled crossingsand improved traffic flow around the area.

l The number of Charity Shops in the Villageand the lack of shops relating to theyounger demographic should be reflected inthe Neighbourhood Plan.

l There is a clear opportunity for theNeighbourhood Plan to look at providingadditional sports facilities within Formby.

l As one of the largest green spaces inFormby, Duke Street Park should feature inthe Neighbourhood Plan as an area forimprovement.

THE VILLAGE

Respondents were asked to provide answers totheir opinions of Formby Village Centre. What isliked? Of the percentage of total respondentsthat use the village (83%) less than half (45%)thought that the shops were ‘Good’. About half(48%) thought there were lots of places to meetand chat and just under half (44%) liked theFormby Pool Facility. Whilst being asked whetherthey liked the village 17% of respondents statedthere was nothing to like about the villageincluding charity shops, so these should be takenas a negative response.

What is disliked? About half (44%) of therespondents stated that they thought there werenot enough shops, and 65% said there wasnowhere to go; 33% said there was nothing todo. Reference was also made (under ‘other’) tothe dislike of the drivers and charity shops in thevillage.

KEY POINTS

l The village shopping experience is a45%/44% split decision, possible dependenton age or requirement. However, there is anoticeable dislike of the charity shopoffering. The Neighbourhood Plan shouldtry to address the number of nationalcharities being represented.

l The lack of retail offering aimed at ouryounger people is highly represented and

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this reinforces the need of theNeighbourhood Plan to try and support theviews of the young people in our area.

SPORTS/CLUB FACILITIES

We asked the respondents many questionssurrounding sport and sporting facilities andother types of clubs in Formby. Over 55% of theyoung people attend a sporting facility/club but itis clear that the schools are picking up the lack ofsport facilities with over 43% attending afterschool sports clubs. In addition, 53% have totravel out of Formby to attend their varioussporting activities in particular Gymnastics,Netball, Rugby and Basketball facilities which areclearly lacking in Formby.

In addition to sporting facilities 39% stated theyattended different types of clubs of which Dance& Drama was 49% followed by afterschool clubs43%.

KEY POINTS

l There is an active sporting requirement inFormby. Some younger people have totravel in order to participate in theirchosen sport. The Neighbourhood Planshould seek to provide sustainable sportingfacilities for our younger residents.

l Of the non-sports related clubs dance/dramaand singing are noticeably popular, howeverall the many offerings available should besupported by the local council andNeighbourhood Plan.

DUKE STREET PARK

Duke Street Park is one of the primary greenspaces within Formby. It is utilized by young andold from sports to dog walking. It is also the siteof the Formby Festival which is held annually.However, it has been neglected over the years andreally only presents as a large field with some rundown facilities.

Respondents were asked for their opinions ofDuke Street Park. The largest response for the‘likes’ of DSP (44%) was ‘Nothing’. The children’splay area attracted 40% of ‘likes’ and the tenniscourts at 33%.

Comments relating to ‘dislikes’ prompted a largeresponse. 84% of respondents dislike the toilets,whilst 51% disliked the fact that there was nodrinking water provision. A 22% response to thelack of football changing facilities indicates thatmore utilisation could be made of Duke StreetPark.

Under the category of ‘Other’ there was a clearindication of the social problems facing ouryounger residents with gangs (20%), drugs (22%)

and finally Dog Mess (24%) illustrates a problemwith less responsible dog owners.

KEY POINTS:

l For some there is no attraction associatedwith the park. However, some respondentswould appear to want to use the park more,but a lack of changing facilities anddrinking water are preventing this. TheNeighbourhood Plan should address themaintenance of the park to rectify theseshortcomings.

l A review of the current offering of the parkshould be taken with a view to makingdesign changes to encourage betterutilisation.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

Respondents were asked about whether theyattended any of the current community eventsthe Christmas Lights switch on (56%) and theFormby Festival (59%) being the most popular.47% of respondents thought there should bemore events, whilst 37% didn’t know. This wouldindicate that there is an appetite for morecommunity events, providing they are of interest,to engage the younger residents. Suggestions foradditional future events were taken with morefestival events in the park coming out with 18%.However, many other suggestions were given toinclude sporting events, family events, moreevents in the park, school competitions and drivein cinema.

KEY POINTS:

l The results show that community events arepopular, but that more consideration of theyounger residents could bring moreparticipation and attendance.

l The 37% ‘don’t know’ response toattending more events indicates that therespondents may well attend if the contentof the event was better focused.

FUTURE INVOLVEMENT

Asked whether young people were listened tothere was a majority of 52% that felt they werenot, even 30% were not sure whether they werelistened to or not and there was no doubt thatthe young respondents would like a say in thefuture of Formby at 66% with 21% not knowingwhat this would involve.

KEY POINTS:

l The respondents didn’t think that, as agroup, the young people’s views werelistened to.

l There is an opportunity to scope out acouncil of young people to help represent


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the views of Formby’s young residents andto help in shaping the area for them.

WHAT IS WANTED

Respondents were asked what they would like tosee more of from a choice of facilities and thefollowing graph shows what is important torespondents.

Sports clubs, cycle paths, more parks and gyms foryoung people feature highly. However, this listalso illustrates the variety of activities that aretaken in and around the area. Outdoor pitchescan be multifunctional; however there appears tobe a real need for an indoor facility toaccommodate other club activities such as martialarts, dance and drama, keep fit/gymnasium

IMPORTANCE OF VARIOUS FACILITIES

Respondents were given a list of facilitiesincluding cycle paths, Skate Park, cinema, courtsand pitches and were asked to place a degree ofimportance to them ranging from ‘Needed Now’to ‘Not Important’.

The results showed that toilet facilities in DukeStreet Park, including the provision of drinkingwater, were the most important whilst a specificgymnastics facility, whilst important, was not as

crucial. Better park facilities attracted a highresponse and, although not deemed to be asurgent, show that this is an area whereimprovements can be made.

A Skate Park often thought of as a panacea forthe younger residents in the area, did not show asbeing important as first thought, although therewas some clear interest, the majority deemed innot important. Similar responses were receivedfor additional accessible football pitches andtennis courts. A community café in the village alsoreceived a lot of positive interest.

KEY POINTS:

l Duke Street Park needs immediate attentionpaid to it and the Neighbourhood Planshould seek to provide significantimprovements to this facility.

CONCLUSION

The results show that the young residents have anumber of needs and requirements that do notappear to have been addressed over recent years.This consultation shows the value of asking whatis desired, and the Neighbourhood Plan shouldlook to provide as much as possible for our youngpeople for the future.

GRAPH 3

IF YOU HAD MORE FACILITIES WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE MORE OF?

KEY POINT: The Neighbourhood plan should take into consideration the ongoing variety of activities that ouryoung people undertake with a view to providing indoor/outdoor club facilities to include 3G/4G pitches

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1.3 BUSINESS SURVEY SUMMARY

The business survey summary is as follows. There were 46questions the vast majority being ‘closed questions’. Thequestionnaire focused on the following areas:-

l Type of Business (size, sector and structure etc.)

l Level of Employment

l Location

l Business Optimism

l Transportation

l Technology

l Promoting Business through the NeighbourhoodPlan

l Barriers to Growth

The survey was carried out during September 2015 andthere were 43 respondents. Although a large number ofnational businesses failed to respond nevertheless someinteresting data was collected from a wide variety oflocal businesses.

TYPE OF BUSINESS

Respondents were asked whereabouts in Formbythey carried out their business. Clearly retail shopowners made up most of the respondents.

It is worth noting that working from home equaled thenumber of respondents from the business park. The key

facts section shows that Formby has slightly more selfemployed people/working from home than the nationalaverage.

The age profile of Formby’s businesses seems youngerthan the National Average1 with 34% 1 - 5 years, 21% 6 –10 years, 11 – 20 24%, 20+ years 21% according to thesurvey data. This may reflect turnover in shop rentalagreements by property companies.

The proportion of Limited Companies is below theNational Average for SME’s (66%)2. The relatively smallnumber of multiple chain shops is significant it mightreflect a reticence of national companies to respond or amovement away from small towns to ‘destination’shopping centres as part of an overall of corporate policy.It is also a reflection of the decline in this sector seen overa number of years.

Respondents were asked to identify their focus ofbusiness activity: Some respondents had 2 businesses andticked 2 answers.

Clearly retail is very important to Formby. Some peoplewere unable to choose a category or failed to identifythe appropriate category. Personal Services, because oftheir lack of internet use, are likely to be underrepresented in the survey.

KEY POINTS:

l Retail/Leisure/Building and Construction areextremely important in Formby.

l In line with Sefton and the UK as a wholeProfessional Services are becomingincreasingly important.

l The number of business carried on at homeat 17.5% is low by UK standards as the UKfigure is around 32%3. This figure is eitherthe result of under recording or will changeas Formby’s population increases and theage profile changes.

EMPLOYMENT

The vast majority of businesses employ at leastone worker. Respondents were asked about howmany people they employed. Less than 5 was52% with 5 to 10 being 36%.

This is broadly in line with the Sefton average foremployment per business with 97% of businessesemploying less than 504. In general, the vastmajority of Sefton’s businesses are classed asMicro, employing less than 9 workers5.

1 Twenty-two per cent were aged up to five years, 18 per cent agedbetween six and ten years, 21 per cent aged 11 to 20 years, and 39per cent had been in business for more than 20 years. Departmentfor Business Innovation and Skills,

2 BIS Research Paper 214, March3 The 2014 Small business Survey (SBS 2014)4 Sixth Performance Monitoring Report April 2015 – September

2015, Sefton Council5 Ibid page 12

IS YOUR BUSINESS CARRIED OUT FROM?

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6 According to the NOMIS data base Sefton has the highestproportion of Part-time workers in the North West

The recruitment pattern of the respondents’businesses shows that a high percentage (71%) ofthose employed are from Formby and onerespondent said they recruited a mixture ofMerseyside/Formby whilst 2 respondents said thatthey relied on Head Office to recruit their staff.

Formby along with the rest of Sefton has a lot ofworkers who are Part-time6 with a significantnumber of businesses employing the bulk of theirstaff on a Part-time basis. Sefton expect theactivity rate of Formby’s older age group to rise.

KEY POINTS:

l Formby’s businesses are officially classed asSME and they fall into the Micro category ofemploying between 0-9 workers

l Formby’s workforce is local in nature andsignificantly West Lancashire does notprovide many workers for Formby’sbusinesses

l Formby has a lot of Part-time workers

LOCATION

In general, Formby is overwhelmingly consideredan attractive location to do business with 92% ofthe respondents agreeing.

Businesses clearly identified parking as an issue inFormby, with over 60% stating it was limited.

When respondents were asked to rate theirbusiness premises as opposed to location a moremixed response was received.

KEY POINTS:

l The vast majority of businesses considerFormby an attractive place to do business.

l Parking is a major issue.l There are issues around the suitability of

some premises in terms of meeting modernbusiness needs.

BUSINESS OPTIMISM

Approximately 46% of businesses said theyintended to expand their businesses over the next1 to 3 years. However, businesses were less bullishin terms of the prospect of hiring more staff.

Business were then asked how optimistic theywere about the future, to rate their level ofOptimism on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being themost Optimistic [see chart below]. Interestinglyover 40% of the respondents said that existingemployment sites should be protected, with 33%stating they don’t know if employment sitesshould be protected. See Graph 4

KEY POINTS:

l In general businesses said they were quiteoptimistic about the future with over 60%giving a rating of over 4. However this wasprior to the Brexit vote which could have animpact.

l Approximately 46% of businesses said theyintended to expand their businesses overthe next 1 to 3 years. This compares with73% as per the 2014 small business Survey7.Clearly Optimism does not necessarilytranslate into expansion.

l Nearly 60% of businesses did not feel theneed to protect existing employment sitesfrom change of usage.

l It is even less clear about the relationshipbetween optimism and employment.

TRANSPORT

Employees predominantly travel to work by car orvan and equates to 90%. Parking does notappear to be a problem for most employees astheir businesses have their own parking facilities.However, parking is a problem for a significantminority of employees this being 31%.

KEY POINTS:

l Despite Formby’s small size employees

GRAPH 4

On a scale of 1 to 5, how optomistic are youfor your business during the next few

years? (1 being not optomistic and 5 beingvery optomistic)

7 The 2014 Small business Survey (SBS 2014). However, this wouldhave been biased upwards since business Services and IT sectorsgave higher scores 81% and 86% respectively whereas Formby is apredominantly retail economy.

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predominately travel to work by car or van.This is supported by the Key Facts datawhich shows that car use is above thenational average.

l Parking is a problem for a significantnumber of employees and as such employeeparking is likely to lead to a problem forother residents.

l The limited use of Public transport reflectsthe fact that employees overwhelmingly livelocally.

TECHNOLOGY

Businesses were asked to rate how important theythought the internet and the use of e-commercewas to their business with over 80% stating it wasvery important/important.

Businesses were then asked whether they had aweb presence in the global market place and 59%said yes. Businesses were then asked about theextent to which they actively traded on theinternet and whether they carried out financialtransactions, 52% said yes but 35% said no.

Respondents were then asked about WIFI andwhether or not they used the WIFI in the villagewhich was installed by Formby Parish Council. Itwas noted that 66% said No with only 33% sayingyes.

A large number of respondents used the WIFI incoffee shops. The other category was dividedequally between those who used it to contacttheir own business and those who used it tocomplain about lack of connectivity. Clearly thereare problems associated with connectivity and65% stated they had problem connecting to thevillage WIFI

Many respondents were dissatisfied with the costand speed of the service. Quite a few respondentsfailed to answer the question on speed andconnectivity since they have never been able toaccess it. Interestingly one respondent complainedabout mobile phone reception. However, it isunclear whether this is an issue about the serviceprovider or the device. However, many statedthat it was slow others complained that itinterfered with their own WIFI installed in theirpremises.

KEY POINTS:

l As with the population as a whole there is aclear digital divide between those whoengage in the technology and those whohave so far failed to see its potential.However, only 10% of respondents did notthink the internet was important to theirbusiness.

l In the case of those who are using thetechnology over 80% thought the internet

was either important or very important.l Around 50% of the total respondents

considered e-commerce to be important orvery important. This was reflected in thenumber of businesses who said they activelytraded on the internet.

l Some 60% of businesses said they advertiseon the internet with a further 12% sayingthey were considering the prospect.

l Some 12% of business said they wereconsidering actively trading on the internet.

l Over 65% of the respondents said that theconnection and speed of the Village WIFIwas poor or very poor.

l In general, over 60% of businesses weredissatisfied with the Formby Village WIFI inrespect of at least one the followingconnectivity, speed and accessibility/cost.

PROMOTING BUSINESS THROUGH THENEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN

The vast majority of businesses (92%) thoughtthat the Neighbourhood Plan should encouragebusiness and commercial development thatprovided local employment.

There was a majority in favour of some retaildevelopment although this is in direct conflictwith what residents want.

There was however, a variety of opinions as toexactly where any new business developmentshould take place and the exact nature of anysuch development

KEY POINTS:

l The vast majority of businesses thought thatthe Neighbourhood Plan should encouragebusiness and commercial development.

l There was a majority in favour of someretail development but surprisingly therewere a lot of don’t knows which wouldsuggest that the business sector had notgiven much thought to any futuredevelopment.

l The majority of respondents thought thatan extension of Stephenson’s Industrial sitewould be the best option for development.However, the response to this questioncould best be seen as a vote for the statusquo. Perhaps this further evidence of a lackof engagement on the part of the businesscommunity.

l There was however, a clear majority (60%)in favour of the Neighbourhood Planallocating land for the creation of a businesscentre providing low cost, flexible workspaces, meeting rooms and managedservices for local start-up small businesses,freelancers and home workers? Even sothere was an astonishing number ofrespondents who answered don’t know to


this question (22.5%). This again shows alack of engagement on behalf of thebusiness community.

BARRIERS TO GROWTH

Respondents were asked about what theythought were the main barriers to Growth in theLocal Economy.

The vast majority of respondents agree withSefton Council that the main driving force in thelocal economy is the Knowledge Economy. Thisconsists of sectors such as Banking and Finance,Information Technology, Software Engineering,Education, Advanced Manufacturing and DigitalDesign. All the research carried out on Sefton’sEconomy and at a national level supports the viewthat this is where future growth lies8

Respondents were asked to rate the factors theythought were holding back businesses in Formby.The results are shown in the Graph 5 below.

Some ticked the ‘other’ box indicating theyconsidered parking to be a major concern andanother respondent indicated that they felt linksto Southport and Preston and points north were a“joke”.

Respondents, (89%) overwhelmingly thought theintroduction of ‘Pay & Display’ at Sumner Roadwould have a negative effect on Footfall andFormby Village in general. Respondents madesome important points about the effects on theVillage of introducing a parking charge.

Firstly, it will reduce footfall, discouraging shortvisits for convenience shopping. Secondly itdiscriminates against small traders in favour oflarge shops such as ‘out of town’ retailers withfree parking. Thirdly, since parking in the eveningis free then business use such as bars/wine bars etcwould benefit at the expense of comparisongoods shops which trade during the day. Theeffect would be to change the character andambience of the village.

Respondents were asked about what factors couldhelp improve footfall in the Village. Once againParking was seen as an important issue.Community events like “Christmas Lights”, Musicfestival and Festival in the Park were seen asproviding positive boost to the village. In the caseof Farmer’s Markets respondents were a littlemore ambivalent as clearly there would be“winners and losers”.

Many respondents expressed a desire for moreindependent traders and less charity shops.However, it should be pointed out that Formbyhas a relatively high density of large conveniencestores compared to other places in Sefton hencegaps in the market are fewer than say Birkdale.

In fact, WYG say “Overall Formby is very wellrepresented with respect to convenienceshopping, with convenience retail floor spacecomprising 35.1% of the total commercial floorspace within the centre which proportionally ismore than double the national average”9.

Pedestrianisation was not considered a popularoption and has not proved successful elsewhere.

KEY POINTS:

l Respondents clearly identified the“Knowledge Sector” as the fastest growingsector in the local economy.

l Businesses identified the growth of theinternet and changes in shopping habits ashaving a major effect on local businesses.This is not surprising given the importance

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8 Sixth Performance Monitoring Report April 2015 – September 2015,Sefton Council, Oxford Economics, B E Group Report for the LocalPlan

GRAPH 5

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What are the main barriers to a successfulbusiness in Formby?

9 Retail Stratergy Review, Appendix 5, P12, October 2015 Sefton MBC

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of the retail sector to Formby.l A major problem identified by businesses

was the high level of rents and businessrates. Given the above there has been aninevitable collapse in retail margins. Clearlyretail rents have been “sticky downwards”despite retail market conditions. In acommercial environment charity shopswould have been “voids” thus enforcingeither a downward movement in premisescosts or a change of use.

l Parking Charges are seen as a major threatto retail businesses in the Village, not onlywill charges reduce footfall and hence salesbut they discriminate against smallbusinesses and small retail businesses thattrade during the day.

BUSINESS CONCLUSION

a) The vast majority of business respondentsconsider Formby an attractive place to dobusiness. The Neighbourhood Plan shouldencourage business and commercialdevelopment whilst seeking to protect theenvironment.

b) The Neighbourhood Plan must prioritiseFormby Village in terms of retaildevelopment and protect its character as apleasant place to shop and meet.

c) On the basis of the available evidence andthe need for the Neighbourhood Plan to becompliant with the SLP there is no scope for

any out of town retail development inFormby.

d) The Neighbourhood Plan fully supports thissite allocation as the site is the site thatmost meets the needs of Formby in terms ofits location and indicative planning profile.

e) The Neighbourhood Plan should promote amodern Business Park which provides arange of different types of BusinessAccommodation including BusinessAccommodation which is suitable forKnowledge Sector Businesses.

f) Secondly any new Business Park shouldmake provision for Business Starter Units.

g) There should be no ‘change of use ofexisting business premises’ until a firmproposal exists for the new development.

h) Therefore, the Neighbourhood Plan shouldexplore opportunities to find meetingaccommodation and hot desking facilitiesfor fledgling businesses. This could take theform of utilizing under used communityassets (i.e. in the Library, Park road etc.).

i) Based on evidence from the Business Surveythere is a need to review the effectivenessof the current WIFI provision in the Village.

j) A proper integrated bus service needs to bedeveloped with links to the new proposedbusiness development and Formby Village.Timetabling should integrate both existinghousing and new housing developments.

k) New Employment sites should haveadequate Parking for employees and onstreet parking should be discouraged

As part of the Plan Review Sefton Council shouldcarry out a transport review for Formby.

Traders in Formby village are overwhelminglyagainst the imposition of Parking Charges as theybelieve it is likely to discriminate against smallbusinesses and reduce footfall. Indeed, evidencecollected nationally supports their

There should have been a moratorium onintroducing car parking charges until a properimpact survey was carried out. Sumner road carpark should be designated a short-term free carpark in the Neighbourhood Plan in accordancewith need to direct Retail, leisure and other usesto Formby Village.

The Parish Council will seek to encourage SeftonMBC to review town centre parking in Formby,which, the results of the Survey show, doesn’tmeet community requirements.

Map 12 and Map 13 show Formby District beforeand after modifications made by the emergingSefton Local Plan.


GRAPH 6 - Taken from Formby Town Health CheckDocument

Number of UnitsFloorspace Figures

No. Formby UK Sq.m Formby UK

Convenience 11 10.3% 8.5% 6,225 35.1% 15.1%

Comparison 39 36.4% 32.5% 4,956 27.9% 36.1%

Retail Service 18 16.8% 14.2% 1,184 6.7% 7.4%

Leisure Service 22 20.6% 22.5% 2,820 15.9% 23.3%

Financial andBusiness Service

14 13.1% 10.8% 2,269 12.8% 8.2%

Vacant 3 2.8% 11.3% 279 1.6% 9.2%

Total 107 100% 100% 17,733 100% 100%

Source: WYG site visit on town centre boundary, (Local PlanPublication Draft January 2015). UK average from the Experian GoadCategory Report (June 2015).

Diversity of Uses, Table 1: Units in Formby DistrictCentre at 31st July 2015

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Map 12 - Formby District Centre Unitary Development Plan

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Map 13 - Formby District Centre Proposed Local Plan

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1.4 RESIDENT SURVEY: As part of the process toestablish a Neighbourhood Plan for Formby andLittle Altcar the Parish Councils of the areaperformed a survey of the residents. Thequestionnaire was available online and in printand was publicized in the press, via leaflet drop toall residences, in local businesses and by councilorsattending public areas and gatherings. Thisdocument is a summary of the results, howeverthe expanse of the response cannot be completelyrepresented and it is recommended that thereader examine the raw data. In calculatingpercentage responses only, the respondentsanswer to the particular question have beentaken into account, and either the upper two orlower two responses combined to establish a totale.g. Strongly Agree and Agree responses havebeen combined, Disagree and Strongly Disagreehave been combined, however Somewhat Agreeand Don’t Know responses have been ignored forcomparison purposes.

DOWNSIZING: Residents were asked if theyintended to downsize their property, and 20% ofrespondents indicated that they would be lookingto do so within 9 years, 24% would plan to movewithin 10 to 15 years. A further 20% would movewithin 3 years so that in total, approximately 22%of all the respondents are planning to move intosmaller properties within the next 15 years. 46%of respondents stated they were not likely tomove within that time-frame; the remainder‘don’t know”.

KEY POINTS:

l This result illustrates a clear requirement forsmaller properties over the period coveredby the proposed Neighbourhood Plan.

QUALITY OF LIFE AND FUTURE DEVELOPMENT:Looking at what makes Formby and Little Altcar apleasant place to live respondents were asked tocomment on location amenities and the ‘feel’ ofthe area. An overwhelming 99% of respondentsfelt Formby was a Friendly and Safe Environmentand that this was an important factor, followedclosely by the Openness of the Countryside at95%, our Natural Amenities, Coastline andWildlife at 97% and the existence of a pleasantVillage Centre attracted 93% support. 93% ofrespondents said they wanted to have a say onthe control of development. There was also a verylarge free text response to this question reflectingthe wide and varied enthusiasm for engagingwith the planning process and having a say inhow the area is developed. Additional commentsincluded “caring for the elderly”, providing foryoung people, overcrowding, flooding, roadsafety, trees, ponds/lakes, and specifically theprotection of the Greenbelt.

KEY POINTS:

l Respondents enjoy living in Formby andwant a say in planning how our town isdeveloped over the next decade.

l The open country aspect, coastal location,and considerate planning to look after theelderly and young people are veryimportant to them.

HOUSING: The following results reflect theresponses relating to the type, size, and style ofhouses considered necessary where housingdevelopment is proposed. When building newhouses 71% of respondents consider thataffordable housing should be built with theemphasis being on bungalows (64%), detached(53%), Semi Detached (66%),Retirement/Sheltered Housing (53%), andresidential care homes (40%). Flats/apartmentsand Terraced housing was less attractiveattracting responses of 28% and 19% respectivelyin agreement, however there was more of astrong objection response to these types ofproperty, including residential care homes,compared to other property types.

When asked about further details of affordablehousing, respondents favoured low cost starterhomes (77%). Of the other options Shared Equity(23%), Below Market Value (33%), Social Rental(24%), and Private Rental (26%), the largeststrong objections were to Social Rental and PartOwnership though the overall responses of allthose categories was more evenly distributedreflecting a more balanced opinion.

When considering the size of house 70% thought1 and 2 bedroom homes were preferable, 60%preferred 3 and 4 bedroom properties. Propertieswith more than 4 bedrooms attracted asignificant negative response with 66% ofrespondents stating they were not required.

Looking at the design principles of new housing,Eco Friendly/Energy Efficient houses attracted97%, additionally 87% thought off street parkingfor 2 cars was important and 88% thought thatnew property should reflect the style of housinglocal to where they were being built. 85% agreedthey should have a maximum height of 2 storeys,whereas 26% thought 3 storeys was an optionwith 66% objecting to 3 storey properties. Fifty-six percent of respondents thought that solarpanels be fitted to new properties with 29%objecting.

There were free text responses to these questionsranging from opposition to any house building(the majority) to suggesting that water recyclingsystems be part of the design, a number ofcomments relate to gardens, trees and open

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green spaces being provided in any newdevelopment.

When considering future developmentsrespondents were asked what should be expectedfrom developers. Between 88% and 96% ofrespondents agreed that developers shouldprovide additional “park facilities” and greenspaces in their designs, avoid damage to wildlife,be respectful to existing neighbours, and beregistered with the Considerate ConstructorsScheme. Additionally, free text responses werereceived that referred to, amongst other things,protecting the greenbelt, improvement of trafficflow, avoiding flood plains, funding for/provisionof additional community facilities such as shops,surgeries and schools.

Respondents were also asked about how theyconsidered development would affect services andinfrastructure. There was a clear indication thepotential was for a negative impact on trafficcongestion (94%), Road Safety/Parking (89%),Drainage/Surface Water Flooding (86%), SchoolPlaces (83%), and Access to Health Services (90%).Additional free text answers also highlighted thecurrent problems of sewerage and the strain onhealth services, specifically getting appointments.

KEY POINTS:

l Affordable housing and Starter Homes arepreferred.

l Smaller homes including 1 & 2 bedroomproperties are preferred, no properties withmore than 4 bedrooms, and no higher than2 storey’s.

l Properties should be Eco Friendly,potentially incorporate Solar Panels and thedesign should reflect the area where theyare built.

l Developers/Contractors should be respectfulto existing residents and be a member ofthe Considerate Constructors scheme.

l Planning design should improve traffic flow,avoid flood areas, and provide funds for orinclude additional shops, surgeries andschools.

TRAVEL: The survey included questions on travelto and from work, and the impact increasingtraffic would have on households. The majority ofrespondents used their own vehicle (79%) with18% using public transport and 2% either cyclingor walking. Looking at the effect traffic has onhouseholds, 35% said that this has a big impacton their family with 48% saying there would besome impact. Seventeen percent said there wouldbe little or no impact on their household.

Respondents were asked about travel to workoutside of the Formby area. 47% of respondents

travel out of the area to work, with Liverpool andSouthport being the most popular destinations(47%); however, many destinations throughoutthe North West and farther afield along the M62corridor, by respondents with Manchester/Leeds(29%) being the next most popular.

Considering the source of impact respondents saidlocal parking (70%) and getting in or out ofFormby in the morning/evening rush hours (70%)as having the largest impact with congestionwithin Formby receiving a 61% response. Freetext responses specifically referred to parkingoutside schools, parking on pavements/grassverges and speeding as main concerns.

Looking at measures to try to alleviate the impactof additional traffic, calming measures weredisliked by 58%, however 56% thought that thereshould be restrictions placed on HGV’s. Pedestrianonly schemes were only supported by 26% ofrespondents (48% against) and Green Roads(traffic restricted) attracted a balanced response.Free text responses highlighted the dislike ofspeed restricted areas (20mph), the need for freeparking in the village amongst many other views.

When asked about parking in Formby village 60%of respondents thought that the facilities werepoor or very poor with 29% describing thefacilities as average.

KEY POINTS:

l Formby has traffic problems.l People travel out of Formby to work.l Road safety is a concern.l School parking is a problem.l Parking in the village is poor.l Access to and from Formby is poor at rush

hours.

EMPLOYMENT: The survey sought opinions onemployment within the Formby area. 54% ofrespondents said that Formby needed moreemployment opportunities. Eighty-four percent ofrespondents said that shop and retail jobs wererequired, but 86% thought office jobs werepreferable. Similar results were received forLeisure/Tourism and service jobs. Howevermanufacturing jobs were not as popular at 57%.Only 7% of respondents considered that Formbyhad sufficient employment opportunities.

Free text responses indicate that technology orprofessional employment is seen to be a basis forenterprise, but overall, better paid employmentshould be attracted to the area, rather thanpeople having to travel out of town to work. Abusiness centre providing offices and flexibleworking areas was thought to be attractive to55% of respondents, and this response supports


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the findings of Sefton MBC that the ‘KnowledgeEconomy’ is central to economic growth. 61% ofrespondents supported the proposal to attractbusinesses from this sector to the town.

KEY POINTS:

l Formby needs more and diverseemployment opportunities.

l Various jobs are wanted butKnowledge/Professional/Office jobs arepreferable.

l A business centre on the outskirts of thetown providing office-based employment iswanted.

THE VILLAGE: The survey asked aboutrespondents’ opinions of Formby village centre.The majority view was that the quality and varietyof the shops in the village was Average (34%) orPoor (37%), Very Good and Good only gained17% of responses. The general appearance of thevillage is classed as Good (46%) with Average(29%) and Very Good (14%) coming 2nd and 3rd.

There is a general objection to additional retailout of town shopping on the bypass with 81%voting against it.

When looking at the type of retail in the villagethe majority view is that more independenttraders (95%) would improve the retail offer, amore balanced view is taken on National Retailoutlets; the opinion of Charity and betting shopsis that they would not improve the village (98%).Free text responses to the type of shops in thevillage reinforced the objection to Charity andBetting Shops.

Looking at suggestions to improve the village,73% agreed with the idea of a monthly FarmersMarket or Travelling Stallholders. Respondentsobjected to traffic calming measures (52%against), and overwhelmingly supported FreeParking (89%). Exclusion of all HGV’s from thevillage is vital for safety of residents and visitors(63%), as is the provision for Public Toilets (70%).Respondents agreed that there should be moreCommunity Events (69%), and improved streetfurniture and floral displays (59%). The free textresponses highlighted the appearance of thevillage, suggesting a less cluttered look andmaking it more of a Market town with art,healthy trees and controlled parking that is eitherfree or ‘Not Expensive’. Public toilets wereanother popular and vital request as well as therestriction on delivery vehicles control with orwithout full or part pedestrian zones.

KEY POINTS:

l The village is generally satisfactory;however, people do not like the number of

charity shops and bookmakers.l Independent retailers are preferred;l A monthly Farmers Market could be a

benefit.l Free parking is regarded as very important;l Public toilets are required;l Out of town shopping is not popular.

FLOODING: Formby suffers from surface waterflooding in several areas, and also has problemswith sewerage at times of high rainfall.Respondents were asked about their opinions offlooding. This is a major concern for thecommunity with over 51% stating they had beenaffected in some way by flooding.

Floodwater in roads in and around residentialareas and across the wider area is the majorproblem (60%). Flooding in properties is lesscommon (4%), but flooding within propertyboundaries accounts for 30%.

Again, free text responses highlighted some ofthe areas where there is a problem with surfacewater flooding and included comments regardingmaintenance of the drainage system and concernsover the future capacity following anydevelopment.

KEY POINTS:

l Flooding and sewerage problems are welldocumented in the area.

l Highway drainage causes the mostproblems.

l Surface water flooding.l The capacity of the sewerage system and

the inability of it to accommodate thecurrent flow rate in some areas requiresattention.

RENEWABLE ENERGY: Formby and the local area isreceiving a lot of interest by renewable energysuppliers. The survey looks at the popularity ofthese energy sources.

Most respondents (84%) are in favour ofrenewable energy, although 9% indicated thatthey were not sure, suggesting the opinion maybe swayed by the type of renewable on offer.Solar farms received the largest positive response(51%), wind farms received (14%) whilst shale gas(Fracking) and oil extraction were the leastpopular at 8% and 4% respectively. Twenty-Threepercent objected to all the options. Open endedresponses suggested tidal energy and raisedconcerns of habitats being affected by windturbines.

KEY POINTS:

l Renewable energy production is popularbut depends on what is on offer.

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l Fracking and oil extraction are unpopular.l Solar farms appear to have the least impact

and are the most popular option.

GREEN SPACE, FACILITIES, RECREATION, YOUNGPEOPLE: The final part of the survey looks at thelocal social environment, facilities provided, andopinions about catering for our young people.

Over 96% of respondents consider thatmaintaining parks and green spaces veryimportant, as was improving public footpaths(87%) and protecting wildlife (95%). Reducing thecarbon footprint was attracted a more balancedresponse with 75% considering this an importantfactor. Open ended responses stated concernsover cars and cycles on pavements amongst otherspecific local issues together with wildlifeprotection.

The quantity of green space was placed inquestion with 55% considering that there was notenough within our built up areas. A morebalanced response to a question relating tosufficient leisure facilities provided a 44/38% splitmarginally suggesting that there were enoughfacilities.

Looking at recreation facilities, children’s’ outdoorplay areas are considered largely ‘acceptable’ at36% and 40% considered the facilities to be‘good’. Grass pitches also received a balanced‘acceptable’ response with 34% and 34%considering them ‘good’. Pubs, Cafes andRestaurants received a positive response with 74%considering them ‘good’.

The provision of Allotments received a variedresponse with some respondents consideringthem ‘good’ (18%), ‘acceptable’ (27%) and ‘notgood/needed’ (25%) suggesting that although thecurrent allotment allocation was acceptable, morecould be done to provide facilities in this area.

Other facilities (Bowling Greens, Tennis Courts,Clubs and Associations, Swimming, and Gym, allreceived majority positive and acceptable results.

The final option asked about a general-purposesports hall, which received a majority negativeresponse (43%) illustrating that this would be apositive addition to the area. In terms of facilitiesfor young people, balanced opinions werereceived for preschool and 5 to 12 age groups,however the 13 to 17 age group showed adefinite negative response (54%) with 34% notknowing about the facilities available for this agegroup.

Asking about community buildings, there was abalanced response however, the majority ofrespondents (43%) did not think there wereenough buildings for community use.

Respondents were asked about their opinions onidentifying certain buildings/land as communityassets. Eighty-Three percent were in favour andsupported this idea.

Thinking of placing community facilities inpriority, respondents showed that toilet facilitiesin Duke Street Park are the highest priority alongwith toilet facilities at the beach. A dedicatedsports hall received a balanced response, and anall-weather public playing pitch was considered alower priority, although it did receive a balancedresponse. Drainage on current playing fields andparks is considered to be important. Free textanswers highlighted the need for toilets in thevillage, improvements to facilities at the beachincluding toilets and a café, a market for localbakers and a community cinema. All weatherplaying pitches also received comments in freetext stating that there was no need for more.

IN CONCLUSION:

Finally, the last question to all respondents was tooffer the opportunity to comment on any aspectnot previously mentioned in the survey. Manyobjected to additional house building, forcedgrowth, degradation of the natural environment,and commented on the reduction in the Policepresence. The number of Charity Shops andBookmakers in the village also received manynegative comments that reinforced those made inthe general body of the survey. Street cleaning,litter picking, dog walking and cycling on thepavements were all included, along with lowwater pressure, the closure of local clubs andamenities (specifically the Royal British LegionClub) and many Borough Council matters.

KEY POINTS:

l Respondents want to protect and theGreenbelt, open spaces and parks andwould like to see more green spacesprovided with the area.

l Recreation areas are utilised and additionalallotment space would be welcomed.

l Sports and recreation facilities for the 13 to17 age group requires attention within theNeighbourhood Plan.

l More buildings and land should bedesignated Community Assets.

l Toilet Facilities, at Duke Street Park and inthe Village, are very important and a highpriority.

l The Beach needs facilities providing toaccommodate existing tourism, includingtoilets and parking.

l The quantity of Charity Shops andBookmakers in the village is disliked andshould be reduced.


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APPENDIX B Glossary

Acronym Subject Explanation

Affordable Housing

Social rented, affordable rented and intermediate housing, provided to eligiblehouseholds whose needs are not met by the market. Eligibility is determinedwith regard to local incomes and local house prices. Affordable housing shouldinclude provisions to remain at an affordable price for future eligible householdsor for the subsidy to be recycled for alternative affordable housing provision.Affordable housing does include low cost market housing.

Affordable rented housing

Affordable rented housing is let by local authorities or private registeredproviders of social housing to households who are eligible for social rentedhousing. Affordable Rent is subject to rent controls that require a rent of nomore than 75% of the local market rent (including service charges, whereapplicable).

CSHCode for SustainableHomes

The Code for Sustainable Homes is the national standard for the sustainabledesign and construction of new homes. It is an environmental assessmentmethod for rating and certifying the performance of new homes, and it ispossible to secure a CSH rating of between zero and six, with six being the mostsustainable.

Comparison Retail

A shop that sells goods such as clothing, shoes, furniture, household appliances,tools, medical goods, games and toys, books and stationery, jewellery and otherpersonal effects. Does not include those goods defined under ‘ConvenienceRetail’ below.

Conservation Area

An area designated by the District Council under Section 69 of the Planning(Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 as an area of specialarchitectural or historical interest, the character or appearance of which it isdesirable to preserve or enhance. There are additional controls over demolition,minor developments and the felling of trees

Consultation PlanA Consultation Plan accompanying the Formby and Little Altcar NDP is requiredby the Localism Act. The Consultation Plan must set out what consultation wasundertaken and how this informed the Neighbourhood Plan.

Convenience RetailA shop that sells food and non-alcoholic beverages, tobacco, alcoholicbeverages, newspapers and periodicals and non-durable household goods.

Core ObjectiveAn objective developed specifically for the Formby and Little Altcar NDP throughconsultation with local people.

Curtilage The area of land, usually enclosed, immediately surrounding a home.

Delivery Strategy

A document accompanying the Formby and Little Altcar NDP that sets outa strategy for delivering and monitoring: (i) the policies within the Formby andLittle Altcar NDP; and (ii) the infrastructure and initiatives associated withdevelopment within the Plan area. It is a ‘live’ document that will be updatedthroughout the Plan Period.

DASDesign and AccessStatement

A report accompanying and supporting a planning application. Required formany types of planning application – both full and outline – but there are someexemptions. They are not required for householder applications.Design and access statements are documents that explain the design thinkingbehind a planning application.

Design BriefDesign Briefs are required for all allocated residential sites in the Formby andLittle Atlcar NDP. Design Briefs are documents that provide clear guidance forthe detailed design of new development.

DPDDevelopment PlanDocument

A type of Local Development Document which carries significant weight in thedevelopment control process. Development Plan Documents are spatial planningdocuments which are subject to independent examination.

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Development Plan

A plan comprising the Development Plan Documents contained within the LocalDevelopment Framework. This includes adopted Local Plans and neighbourhoodplans, and is defined in section 38 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act2004.

Dwelling mixThe mix of different types of homes provided on a site. May typically include arange of types from, say, 1/2 bedroom homes, bungalows and up to larger 4bedroom houses.

Evidence Base

The researched, documented, analysed and verified basis for preparing theFormby and Little Altcar NDP. It consists of many documents produced over aperiod of years, many of which have been produced by Sefton MCB as part of the process of developing its Local Plan.

Evidence Base SummaryA document produced as part of the process of developing the Formby andLittle Altcar NDP. It supports the Plan by setting out a summary of therelevant Evidence Base.

ExaminationAn independent review of the Neighbourhood Development Plan carried out inpublic by an Independent Examiner.

Flood Plain / Flood RiskZones

Areas identified by the Environment Agency, marking areas as high (zone 3), lowto medium (zone 2), or little or no risk (zone 1).

Gross densityThe number of dwellings per hectare when the calculation of the site areaincludes the entire site area.

Habitats Regulations

The European Union Habitats Directive aims to protect the wild plants, animalsand habitats that make up our diverse natural environment. The directivecreated a network of protected areas around the European Union of nationaland international importance. They are called Natura 2000 sites.

If development is likely to affect a Natura 2000 site, an assessment under theHabitats Regulations is required.

Independent Examiner

Anyone with appropriate qualifications and skills who meet certainrequirements set out in the Localism Act. This could be a planning consultant orother planning professional, an employee of another local authority or aplanning inspector.

InfrastructureAll the ancillary works and services which are necessary to support humanactivities, including roads, sewers, schools, hospitals and so on.

Intermediate AffordableHousing

Intermediate housing is homes for sale and rent provided at a cost above socialrent, but below market levels subject to the criteria in the Affordable Housingdefinition above. These can include shared equity (shared ownership and equityloans), other low cost homes for sale and intermediate rent, but not affordablerented housing.

Lifetime Homes

The Lifetime Homes standard is a set of 16 design criteria that provide a modelfor building accessible and adaptable homes. Each design feature adds to thecomfort and convenience of the home and supports the changing needs ofindividuals and families at different stages of life.

Listed buildings

Buildings and structures which are listed by the Department for Culture, Mediaand Sport as being of special architectural and historic interest and whoseprotection and maintenance are the subject of special legislation. Listed buildingconsent is required before any works are carried out on a listed building.

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APPENDIX B Glossary


Local destinationA place that local people need or want to get to on a regular basis. Examplesincludes schools, places of worship and GP surgeries.

LDDLocal DevelopmentDocument

An individual component or document of the Local Development Framework.

LDFLocal DevelopmentFramework

The portfolio of Local Development Documents

The Localism ActAn Act of Parliament that became law in April 2012. The Act introduces a newright for local people to draw up ‘Neighbourhood Development Plans’ for theirlocal area.

Market housing Housing for sale or for rent where prices are set in the open market.

Mixed useDevelopments where more than one use is constructed. Uses may be mixedwithin the same building (e.g. offices above shops) or may be mixed across thesite (e.g. houses next to shops and community facilities)

NPPFNational Planning PolicyFramework

The National Planning Policy Framework was published by the government inMarch 2012. It sets out the Government’s planning policies for England and howthese are expected to be applied.

NP or NDP Neighbourhood Plan

The full title in the Localism Act is ‘Neighbourhood Development Plan’ but this iscommonly shortened to ‘Neighbourhood Plan’. It is a plan document for definedarea subject to examination in public and approval by referendum. It will beused on approval in the determination of applications.

Net densityThe number of dwellings per hectare when the calculation of the site areaexcludes features such as open spaces for the benefit of the wider community,significant landscape buffers and major access roads.

Plan Period

The period for which the Formby and Little Altcar NDP will set policy for Formbyand Little Altcar. This will be from adoption of the Plan (anticipated in early2017) until 2030. The lifetime of the Plan may be extended beyond 2030 byagreement between Formby and Little Altcar Parish Councils and Sefton MBC.

Publicly Accessible OpenSpace

Open space that is open to the public and is normally owned and managed by aprivate owner.

Public Open SpaceOpen space that is open to the public and is normally owned and managed by apublic organisation such as Formby and Little Altcar PCs, Sefton MBC or iscovered by a Management Plan.

ReferendumA general vote by the electorate on a single political question that has beenreferred to them for a direct decision. In the case of the Formby and Little AltcarNDP, the referendum will decide whether or not to adopt the Plan.

RSL Registered Social LandlordIndependent housing organisations registered with the Tennant ServicesAuthority under the Housing Act 1996.

Social Rented Housing

Social rented housing is owned by local authorities and private registeredproviders (as defined in section 80 of the Housing and Regeneration Act 2008),for which guideline target rents are determined through the national rentregime. It may also be owned by other persons and provided under equivalentrental arrangements to the above, as agreed with the local authority or with theHomes and Communities Agency.

SMBCSefton MetropolitanBorough Council

The Local Authority for Formby and Little Altcar.

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SA Sustainability AppraisalA process of appraising policies for their social, economic and environmentaleffects, which must be applied to all Development Plan Documents.

SEAStrategic EnvironmentalAssessment

Assessments made compulsory by a European Directive (the SEA Directive). Tobe implemented in planning through Sustainability Appraisal of DevelopmentPlan Documents and Neighbourhood Plans where required.

Sustainable Urban DrainageSystems (SUDS)

A drainage system that controls the rate and quantity of run-off of surfacewater from developments. It replaces the conventional practice of routing run-off through a pipe to a watercourse, which can cause problems with flooding.SUDS minimises run-off by putting surface water back into the ground on sitethrough measures such as permeable paving, underground infiltration blanketsand drainage swales (similar to traditional ditches). Where surface water muststill be taken off-site (because, for example, the site is underlain by clay thatreduces the permeability of the ground), features to slow down the rate of run-off are used – these may include ponds or underground storage tanks to storewater, and oversized pipes.

SustransA charity whose aim is to enable people to travel by foot, bike or publictransport for more of the journeys made every day. Sustrans are responsible forthe National Cycle Network.

Steering GroupA group of people representing the Parish Councils, residents, associations,community groups and businesses that informed the early work on the Formbyand Little Altcar NDP.

Use ClassesThe Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987 (as amended) putsuses of land and buildings into various categories known as 'Use Classes'. Forexample, A1 is shops and B2 is general industrial.

Windfall SitesSites not allocated for development in the Formby and Little Altcar NDP thatunexpectedly comes forward for development.

Formby Parish Council, Formby Library, Duke Street, Formby.Telephone: 01704 395955

Website: www.formbyparishcouncil.org.uk

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