A proposed Bootle development is set to help meet growing demand for social and affordable housing, while delivering meaningful employment opportunities and a boost to local businesses. 

Transformation

The transformation of the former Dale Acre School playing fields at Harps Croft in Netherton forms part of the ambitious Sefton 2030 partnership between Sefton Council and The Sovini Group, a long-term commitment to deliver more than 1,000 high-quality, social and affordable homes across the borough. 

The social housing will be allocated through Property Pool Plus to local people in housing need. While new homes remain at the heart of the collaboration, the wider ambition is to create significant opportunities for local people. 

Social, economic and environmental benefits

Every stage of the proposed development has been designed to maximise the social, economic and environmental benefits, ensuring that investment made in Sefton changes the lives of those within the borough. 

Through The Sovini Group‘s unique integrated social business model, the proposed development will support local employment, strengthen regional supply chains, create training and apprenticeship opportunities, and champion independent businesses across the Liverpool City Region. 

Sovini Construction will lead the delivery of the development, while Sovini Trade Supplies will source and supply materials locally, reducing transport emissions, supporting local enterprise and helping to build a more sustainable future for the borough. 

High-quality and affordable homes

Once complete, the homes will be maintained by Sovini Property Services and managed through the Group’s registered providers of social housing, ensuring safe, high-quality and affordable homes for years to come. 

Unlike traditional developers, profits generated through The Sovini Group‘s commercial activities are reinvested into communities, supporting local employment, skills development and initiatives such as the Roots programme, which helps care-experienced young people access education, employment and training opportunities.

Investment designed to benefit the wider community 

Ian Mitchell, Managing Director of Housing at The Sovini Group, said: “Dale Acre Drive demonstrates what can be achieved when investment is designed to benefit the wider community. Through Sefton 2030, we’re doing things differently. Every stage of each development is designed to keep opportunity, skills and investment within the borough, creating benefits for local residents, local businesses and future generations.” 

All social rent homes at Dale Acre Drive will be advertised and allocated through Property Pool Plus, the borough’s choice-based lettings scheme, helping ensure local people in housing need have access to high-quality, affordable homes. 

The scheme prioritises applicants who live, work, or have strong connections to Sefton, supporting local communities to thrive. 

Building stronger, more resilient communities for the future

Cllr Phil Hart, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member with responsibility for Housing, said: “This site at the former Dale Acre School playing fields and the other Sefton 2030 sites are about much more than building new affordable homes. Through the partnership, we are making sure investment delivers lasting benefits for local people and communities.

“As well as helping meet the demand for high-quality affordable housing, this development will support local jobs, create training and apprenticeship opportunities, and strengthen supply chains across Sefton and the wider Liverpool City Region.

"By working with organisations that share our commitment to social value, we can keep more investment within the local economy and help residents access the opportunities that come with growth.

“This is exactly what Sefton 2030 is about, creating homes, jobs and opportunities while building stronger, more resilient communities for the future.” 

In addition, affordable home ownership opportunities will be delivered by The Sovini Group’s housing providers. The development at the former Dale Acre School playing fields at Harps Croft in Netherton’ remains subject to planning approval.

You can use this link to find out more about Sefton 2030.

And there are FAQs about Sefton 2030 at www.sefton.gov.uk/Sefton2030-FAQs