Plans to build 53 new homes in Aintree have been given the green light, despite worries from people living nearby that the development is “not safe”.
Sefton Council has today granted Mulberry Homes Ltd permission to build the houses on land bounded by Wango Lane and the Leeds-Liverpool canal.
The Blackburn-based developer can now increase the size of its residential development by 10 homes, two years after it was given approval for 43 homes.
The proposed houses will be a mix of semi-detached and detached houses according to the plans with varying designs.
The homes are to be a mix of two, three and four bedroom, and the site would also include 135 parking spaces and 53 cycle spaces.
Sixteen of the homes will be affordable housing.
A petition signed by more than 200 people was received, and written representation from objectors was read out at today’s planning committee meeting.
Part of this said: “If this was a reputable builder, creating enough affordable homes and there was quality workmanship taking place, perhaps our objections wouldn’t be being made so strongly.
“But now the people of Aintree have had to live with nine months of Mulberry Homes being in their midst, there are now even more objecting than in 2018.
“There have been continued breaches of health and safety. People are turning up in t-shirts and shorts, taking down trees with chainsaws.”
“One of the developers, Derek Barnes, is a formerly disqualified director. He has committed major health and safety breaches [in the past].”
Local councillor Marion Atkinson echoed residents’ concerns, saying there were issues with traffic management, emergency vehicle flow, drainage, and parking, to name a few.
Cllr Atkinson said: “[Mulberry Homes] is not satisfied building 43 homes, they want to cram in more properties.
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“This will undoubtedly add to the already strained infrastructure in the area.”
“The increase [in the number of homes] exacerbates all issues raised, and feels like a kick in the teeth both to me and to local residents.”
Mulberry Homes, however, says they are working safely and robustly at the site.
Part of their written representation, read out at the meeting by planning manager Steve Matthews, said: “Health and Safety England have visited the site and advised what is required, and this has been carried out.
“We have also had an independent health and safety consultant visit, in order to ensure all health and safety regulations are being adhered to.
“We are adding further homes, these are quality homes for future residents.
“We have also proved the drainage to work effectively, under scrutiny from both council officers, and United Utilities.”
