Property at Centre of Wildlife Crime Allegations Goes Up for Sale in Formby for £1 Million

Formby Bubble
Jun 17
2 min read

Updated: Jun 18

A controversial property at the heart of a growing environmental investigation in Formby has now been listed for sale at £1 million. The detached house at 43 Bushbys Lane, which sits on ecologically sensitive land, is being marketed by a local estate agent, with promotional material stating that Sefton Council held a pre-planning meeting to discuss the site. The estate agent’s brochure has since been sent to Formby Parish Council for review.

This latest development comes as Formby Parish Council continues to escalate serious concerns regarding what it has called a “devastating and potentially unlawful” clearance of land surrounding the property. The works reportedly took place over the weekend of 18th–19th January 2025, involving the destruction of more than 60 mature trees and extensive undergrowth.

What has raised alarm among councillors and residents alike is the absence of any recorded ecological survey or environmental assessment prior to the clearance. The site is located just 300 yards from a designated RAMSAR site and a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)—both of which are legally protected due to their significance for rare wildlife and habitats.

In response, Formby Parish Council has:

Reported the incident to Sefton Council’s Planning Department
Referred the matter to Merseyside Police’s Wildlife Crime Unit for potential breaches of environmental protection laws
Distributed a letter to residents that back onto the property

The case was first brought to light by local residents David and Yvonne Irving, who raised concerns after witnessing the clearance. However, the Parish Council was not officially made aware of the incident until May, and the matter was discussed formally at their meeting on Monday 19th May.

The listing of the property for sale—while investigations remain ongoing—has further intensified public scrutiny. Parish councillors and concerned residents are now awaiting a formal response from Sefton Council regarding any planning applications and the outcome of their internal review.

Formby Parish Council has distributed a letter to residents whose homes back onto the site, 43 Bushbys lane giving them an update on the situation. Here is a copy of the letter…