Sefton Council Cabinet members will next week be asked to approve the disposal of five Council-owned sites as part of the Sefton 2030 initiative.

Affordable homes for local people

Sefton 2030 is a long-term partnership between Sefton Council and The Sovini Group that helps to deliver 1,000 affordable homes for local people by the end of the decade. 

At next week’s Cabinet meeting, approval will be sought for the Council to enter into conditional land sale agreements with The Sovini Group for five Phase 1 development sites in Southport, Bootle, Netherton and Seaforth.

Five sites

The five Phase 1 sites identified in the report are:

• Back Forest Road, Southport
• Former Bootle High School, Netherton
• Former Dale Acre School site, Harps Croft, Netherton
• Former St Raymond's playing field, Netherton
• Former Rawson Road School site, Seaforth

If approved, it will be the next stage in progressing the construction of around 230 affordable homes across the five sites, helping to address increasing demand for housing in Sefton.

Opportunity to review and comment

All development proposals have now been submitted by The Sovini Group to Sefton’s Planning department and all residents have the opportunity to review and comment on plans before any decisions are made.

Homes created through Sefton 2030 will provide a range of affordable housing options to meet local needs. This includes homes for social rent, which will be advertised and allocated through Property Pool Plus, the choice-based lettings scheme used across the Liverpool City Region and homes for low-cost home ownership.

Real need

Cllr Paulette Lappin, Deputy Leader of Sefton Council and Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Economy and Skills, said: "There is a real need for more, affordable homes in Sefton.

“Around 3,000 households are currently registered for housing in the borough, while more than 200 households are living in temporary accommodation.

“Sefton 2030 represents an important step towards delivering those homes that people need.

"The recommendations being considered by Cabinet will allow progress to be made on five sites with the potential to deliver around 230 new, affordable homes. 

“Each site is subject to planning approval and residents will continue to have opportunities to have their say as proposals come forward.”

Wider benefits for local communities

Alongside new homes, Sefton 2030 will create wider benefits for local communities. These include apprenticeships, training opportunities and jobs for local people. The initiative will also support local businesses through construction and supply chains and help keep investment within the local economy. 

The Sefton 2030 partnership will also support projects designed to improve neighbourhoods, provide opportunities for care-experienced young people and strengthen communities across the borough.

Opportunities for people and places

Cllr Phil Hart, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member with responsibility for Housing, said: "As well as creating homes for local people, Sefton 2030 is about creating opportunities for people and places across our borough.

"Through this partnership with The Sovini Group, we want to create jobs, apprenticeships and training opportunities, support local businesses and bring investment into our communities.

“It builds on a strong track record of working together to improve neighbourhoods in Sefton, including projects that have supported care-experienced young people, created employment opportunities and invested in local communities.

"This is a long-term commitment to helping more people access quality, affordable homes while creating lasting social and economic benefits across Sefton."

The Sefton Council Cabinet meeting takes place at Southport Town Hall, on Thursday 5th November at 10am. People can watch the meeting via a live video-cast.

You can find the agenda and papers here.