Abandoned former school site to be transformed into dozens of new homes

Plans to turn a former school site into dozens of new homes are set to be approved by Sefton Council next week.

St John Stone RC Primary School in Ainsdale closed in September 2006,  after more than 33 years serving the local community.

Sandway Homes - the newly-created Sefton Council-owned housing development company - is to be responsible for completing further works to allow house building to begin, after accepting more than £600,000 from Homes England in May.

This money has enabled the authority to carry out necessary infrastructure works at the Meadow Lane site.

Documents on the council's website say the proposals for the former St John Stone site will "add housing choice and affordability" and "make a significant contribution to the local economy".

The plans are for 47 new homes, and new access roads off Meadow Lane.

The site is among those earmarked for new homes in Sefton Council’s Local Plan, which will see 11,600 new homes built across the borough.

Planning officers say the development is acceptable as it provides "acceptable living conditions for future residents" and would not harm the living conditions of existing neighbours.

Fifteen of the homes would be affordable.

Documents on the local authority's website also say: "The proposal would also provide contributions towards primary education, open space improvements and mitigation for lost playing pitches."

The meeting will be held at Bootle Town Hall (LIVERPOOL ECHO)

Sefton Council's planning committee is set to approve the plans (with some conditions) at its meeting next week.

Sandway's plans to build 30 new houses in Banks (Southport) are also set to be given the green light.

The proposal would see the homes erected on land north of Barton's Close, with a new access road off Fell View.

Documents on Sefton's website say the proposal would "contribute to local housing need and provide 10 affordable dwellings" without any "adverse impact".

Outline planning permission was refused in July 1989 for the erection of 11 detached, 22 semi-detached houses and 12 flats on the application site and what is now Bartons Close - due to the land being earmarked for a By-Pass and concerns over visibility splays.

This proposal is also set to be approved with conditions.