The Point set for crucial decision as concerns grow over loss of M&S from Formby Village

One of the biggest developments proposed in Formby for many years is set to go before Sefton Council’s Planning Committee next week, with planning officers recommending approval.

But alongside the prospect of more than 1,000 jobs, a new Lidl, a much larger M&S Foodhall and a major new employment park, there is one aspect of The Point which is causing particular concern among residents: the loss of the existing M&S Foodhall from Formby Village.

If The Point receives planning permission and the development proceeds, the existing M&S Foodhall at The Cloisters would be replaced by a significantly larger M&S Foodhall at The Point alongside the Formby Bypass.

For many residents, particularly older people and those who do not drive, the existing M&S is an important and extremely convenient part of Formby Village.

Formby Bubble has heard from residents who are deeply disappointed at the prospect of losing the store from the Village and are concerned about how easily they would be able to reach the new location.

There has also been discussion locally about the possibility of bus provision serving The Point if the development goes ahead. This would undoubtedly be welcomed, particularly by older residents and those without access to a car. However, at this stage we have not seen confirmation of a dedicated new bus service.

What is The Point?

The Point is a major proposed development on a 31 acre site immediately north of Formby Industrial Estate and alongside the A565 Formby Bypass.

Although the proposed M&S and Lidl stores have attracted much of the attention, The Point is being promoted as an employment led development.

More than 75 per cent of the site would be dedicated to employment uses, including business, light industrial, logistics and commercial space.

Around 25,000 square metres of employment space is proposed across the development, with the scheme potentially supporting more than 1,000 jobs when fully developed.

The proposals include a new M&S Foodhall, Lidl supermarket, Costa Coffee drive through, a second drive through unit, a potential community healthcare facility and a substantial range of business and employment premises.

What would happen to M&S in Formby Village?

This is likely to be one of the biggest concerns for many Formby residents.

The proposed M&S Foodhall at The Point is intended to replace the existing M&S at The Cloisters rather than being an additional second store.

M&S says its existing Formby store is too small for the range it now wants to provide locally.

The proposed new store would be considerably larger, allowing M&S to offer a wider food range as well as a small selection of non food products and a collection point for online orders.

There would also be significantly more customer parking at the new store.

Existing Formby M&S employees would be offered the opportunity to transfer to the new store, while additional jobs are also expected to be created.

While the proposals represent a considerable investment in M&S in Formby, the location remains a major concern for some residents.

The current M&S sits right in the heart of Formby Village and is within walking distance for many people.

For older residents in particular, being able to walk into the Village or use existing public transport to shop at M&S makes the current location extremely convenient.

Moving the store to The Point on the other side of the Bypass would fundamentally change that.

Residents without their own transport are understandably asking how they would get to the new M&S if the Village store closes.

There are also wider concerns about what losing such a major retailer could mean for footfall within Formby Village and for the independent businesses surrounding The Cloisters.

M&S attracts a significant number of shoppers into the Village and some residents fear that moving it could result in fewer people visiting the centre and spending money with other local businesses.

Lidl would come to Formby

The development would also bring Lidl to Formby for the first time.

A large purpose built Lidl supermarket is proposed, together with customer parking, cycle facilities, electric vehicle charging points and solar panels.

The developers argue that Lidl would introduce a discount supermarket option currently missing from Formby and would create further full and part time employment opportunities.

More than 1,000 jobs

Away from the retail element, the majority of The Point would be devoted to employment.

Plans include smaller starter business units, offices and working space, light industrial premises, research and development facilities, storage and distribution uses and larger commercial units.

A potential community healthcare facility is also included within the proposals.

The developers say the retail and leisure elements of The Point would help support the infrastructure required to make the wider employment development viable, including roads, utilities and drainage.

If the entire development is completed, it is estimated that more than 1,000 jobs could ultimately be supported on the site.

New traffic lights and access from the Formby Bypass

A completely new junction would be constructed on the A565 Formby Bypass to provide access to The Point.

The junction would be controlled by traffic lights and would include dedicated turning lanes together with controlled crossings for pedestrians and cyclists.

The impact of the development on traffic has inevitably been one of the major issues considered during the planning process.

Planning officers have assessed the additional traffic that could be generated as well as the effect of the new junction on the surrounding road network.

Concerns about Formby Village

The potential effect on Formby Village has been one of the most closely watched parts of the planning application.

Objections have been submitted by some local residents and representations have also been made by major retailers including Tesco and Waitrose.

A central issue has been whether creating new retail space at The Point, combined with moving M&S out of the Village, could damage Formby Village Centre.

However, following consideration of the evidence submitted with the application, planning officers have concluded that the development would not cause an unacceptable adverse impact on the vitality and viability of Formby Village Centre.

Officers have also considered issues including highways, flooding, drainage, ecology, landscaping and the environment.

Their overall recommendation is that planning permission should be granted, subject to the relevant conditions and requirements.

Planning officers recommend approval

An officer recommendation does not mean that planning permission has already been granted.

The final decision rests with the elected councillors who sit on Sefton Council’s Planning Committee.

They will consider the application, the planning officer’s report and the representations made both for and against the proposals before reaching their decision.

However, the recommendation for approval means The Point will go before councillors with the professional planning assessment supporting the development.

A huge decision for Formby

If approved, The Point would represent one of the most substantial developments seen in Formby for many years.

For some residents, the arrival of Lidl, a much larger M&S, new businesses and the prospect of substantial employment opportunities will be welcomed.

For others, the loss of M&S from the heart of Formby Village will be a significant downside.

The possibility of improved bus provision to The Point could therefore become particularly important if the development is approved.

If M&S does leave The Cloisters, residents will understandably want reassurance that people who do not drive, particularly older residents who currently rely on the Village store, will still be able to access M&S easily.

The application is due to be considered by Sefton Council’s Planning Committee on Wednesday 16 September.

Formby Bubble will be following the decision closely and will bring you the outcome as soon as it is known.