How will Lonsdale Road cope with heavy duty wagons when new development starts

Plans for a Formby retirement village have been given the green light for 42 apartments on the former Holy Trinity Church of England Primary School site down Lonsdale Road.

In recent years, the green space at this location, was severed from the school buildings and transferred from "Education" to "Leisure" at the request of six Conservative, Formby elected members of the Council. This was to preserve it from developers and to reflect the wishes of the tennis club, who wished to expand. So, who has reversed this decision?

The so-called "consultation" was minimal at Holy Trinity Church. No notes were taken.

Lonsdale Road is a cul-de-sac not suitable for heavy traffic. When a large bus was employed to ferry pupils into and away from the former school, some residents contacted Ex-Councillor Barry Griffiths to examine cracked ceilings and walls. Pictures were falling off the walls as the bus passed, due to vibration.

The bus was hastily replaced with a smaller vehicle. The problem disappeared overnight.

Barry Griffiths is a well known figure in Formby and was a Formby Councillor for over fourteen years. Barry said, "The road cannot support cement wagons, heavy vehicles laden with bricks and timber, which will be employed to service this site for months. A sinkhole had to be repaired outside the school at one time!"

Barry went on to say, "The site cannot be connected to drains running down the middle of Lonsdale Road and then onto Freshfield Road which back up from the McCarthy and Stone development - as we forecast they would. The High School Academy also discharges into this main drain.

Access will be a serious problem - as will safety of people on foot. Which route will be followed? Rosemary Lane is frequently off limits for all but small vehicles due to parking on both pavements. Will huge vehicles thunder down Freshfield Road interfacing with hundreds of pupils from the Academy? What about the interaction of pupils going into the village, users of the scout hut, and the theatre-goers, tennis players, bowlers, plus users of church functions adjacent to the site? Where will residents relations park on Lonsdale Road which is already lined with residents cars?"

Barry Griffiths went on to say "This proposal is not conducive to community safety and has been rushed through with little thought. Nor has the road surface been assessed. Don't say you have not been warned!"

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.

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

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”.

Churchill Retirement Living said the “one and two bedroom retirement housing development will provide attractive, high quality, self-contained apartments in landscaped grounds”.

What do you think? Are you a resident? Will it effect you?