Plans for more than 150 homes have officially been approved for an area of Merseyside farmland.
The approval has come after a national planning body reaffirmed Sefton Council's recommendations to approve the proposals, following third party objections.
Wain Homes is looking to develop 156 new homes, having already been granted permission to build up to 328 properties on land off Bankfield Lane in Churchtown, Southport.
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“Phase One” of the scheme included 128 homes and was approved in August 2018.
The Warrington housebuilder’s “Phase Two” – plans for a further 200 homes on the northern side of the land behind the Mallards, Three Pools and The Crescent – was given permission in October 2020.
More than 250 people signed a petition objecting to the development on the grounds of flooding, Japanese Knotweed and access in and out of the site.
Residents also said sewer flooding had occurred in Churchtown and Crossens for decades, and when the floodwater depletes it leaves excrement on the roadways and pavements.
The plans that have now been accepted for 156 new homes are part of wider plans to develop the land into housing, with 55 of the 156 being affordable housing.
The developers say parking courtyards will be used to "limit the extent of frontage parking" and "provide a more aesthetically pleasing street scene".
A spokesperson for Sefton Council said: “As with all applications, Sefton Council’s Planning Committee considered all facets of a proposal very carefully, including taking into account all objections raised.
"Initially a decision on the plans was due to be made in November 2021 but the local authority agreed to delay its judgement in the light of objections raised to the proposals.
"Now the National Planning Casework Unit has confirmed it does not need to 'call in' the decision for investigation and they have confirmed they are satisfied with Sefton's analysis and due diligence of the application."
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