Fears Grow Over Brackenway Development After Unexpected Planning Withdrawal Amid Flooding and Land Raising Concerns

Concerns are being raised locally following a recent update linked to the proposed housing development on land north of Brackenway in Formby.

Information shared with Formby Bubble by Dave Irving, Amenity Secretary of Formby Civic Society, highlights that planning application DC/2025/00957 has now been withdrawn. This application related to the discharge of Condition 34, a key requirement tied to the previously approved outline permission for up to 285 homes on the site.

Condition 34 is understood to cover important technical details that must be agreed before development can move forward. Its withdrawal has prompted questions from both the Civic Society and local residents about what happens next and whether revised plans will be submitted.

One of the main concerns centres around potential changes to land levels across the site. It has been suggested that parts of the development could involve raising ground levels by as much as 1.5 metres to address flood risk. However, this has raised questions in relation to Policy H5 of the Formby and Little Altcar Neighbourhood Plan, which advises against significant land raising where it could harm the character of the area or impact nearby homes.

Residents living close to the site have also expressed worries about how this could affect them directly. There are concerns that raising the land, combined with the height of new housing, could result in properties overlooking existing homes and creating an overbearing visual impact.

Flooding is another key issue being highlighted. Some nearby properties have experienced flooding in the past, and there are fears that altering ground levels could potentially redirect surface water towards surrounding areas.

Formby Civic Society has now written to Sefton Council’s planning department seeking clarity on the situation. They are also asking that if a revised submission is made, it is opened up for full public consultation so residents have the opportunity to review and comment.

Formby Bubble will continue to follow this story and share updates as more information becomes available.