Plans passed for Formby retirement village on former Holy Trinity School site

Churchill Retirement Living will build 42 apartments on the former Holy Trinity Church of England Primary School site

Churchill Retirement Living is planning to build 42 sheltered retirement apartments for the elderly on the site of the former Holy Trinity C Of E Primary School, Lonsdale Road, Formby

Plans for a Formby retirement village have been given the green light.

Churchill Retirement Living will build 42 apartments on the former Holy Trinity Church of England Primary School site.

Andrew Burgess, Planning Director of Churchill Retirement Living, said: “We are delighted that Sefton Planning Committee recognised our plans are carefully designed to relate sensitively to the surrounding area.

“They also acknowledged a substantial sum is being contributed towards off site affordable housing, which will help younger people in the area.

“This is an accessible and sustainable location and future residents will be able to walk to shops and services in Formby Village.”

Churchill Retirement Living is planning to build 42 sheltered retirement apartments for the elderly on the site of the former Holy Trinity C Of E Primary School, Lonsdale Road, Formby

The site was unused and boarded up for some time, but construction is thought to get under way within the next six months.

Formby residents had previously submitted a petition - which was supported by Councillor Cuthbertson – against the plans.

The petition objected to the wasteland at the back of the site being opened up “for fear it will increase problems such as teenagers congregating, anti-social behaviour, attempted burglaries and will devalue surrounding properties”.

Sefton Council were originally due to discuss the plans on September 2, but they were “deferred” until September 30 after “concerns were raised by the Highways department”.

Formby Parish Council also raised some concerns over the proposals, with worries including the lack of parking spaces.

They said there was an “inadequate number for the area” and there was poor access for emergency services vehicles.

However the plans were officially passed by the council at the end of September, and Churchill Retirement Living said the “one and two bedroom retirement housing development will provide attractive, high quality, self-contained apartments in landscaped grounds”.

Story and photo source: Southport Visiter