Emma Morgan

The former Sands pub in Ainsdale, closed since 2017 and vacant since 2022, is set to be redeveloped after Sefton Council agreed non-binding Heads of Terms with GSL Developments. Residents suggested a family pub, restaurant, hotel or motel, nursery, or convalescent home, while differing over winter demand, road safety and the area's need for hospitality. The site's future is closely linked to the redevelopment of the nearby former Pontins holiday park, and Southport Liberal Democrats have called for closer scrutiny of the council's agreement before a long-term lease is granted.

Residents and politicians are opposing Anwyl Homes' proposal for 258 houses on green-belt land off Green Lane in Maghull. The developer has applied for an environmental impact assessment screening opinion and argues the site could qualify as grey belt under the Labour government's planning framework. Campaigners say approval would set a national precedent, threaten high-quality farmland and wildlife, worsen flooding and traffic, and strain already full schools. They want new homes directed toward brownfield sites and Anwyl's existing 1,400-home Land East of Maghull permission instead. Anwyl declined to comment, while Sefton Council was approached for a response.

Knowsley Council has identified and fined 594 HGV drivers for repeatedly breaching 7.5-tonne weight restrictions on Shevington’s Lane and Headbolt Lane in Kirkby. ANPR enforcement began in February after a survey found around 700 overweight vehicles using the roads weekly, and the number of violations has since fallen to roughly one tenth of its previous level. Residents and the Simonswood Action Group say lorry traffic has caused dust, vibrations and property damage, while warning that enforcement may have shifted the problem toward Bickerstaffe. First-time offenders are receiving warnings until mid-August, while repeat offenders face £70 fines.

Healthy Smiles in Maghull has around 2,000 people on its NHS dental waiting list, with no local practices currently accepting new NHS patients. Practice owner Deborah McGovern says the NHS dental contract is outdated, financially unsustainable and unable to keep pace with population growth, rising costs and demand, while missed appointments and higher employer National Insurance contributions add pressure. She argues that underfunding is contributing to staff recruitment problems and calls for a complete contract reform. NHS Cheshire and Merseyside says it is working with providers to improve access, while the Department of Health and Social Care points to additional treatment courses, a ringfenced budget and planned reforms. National unmet need is estimated at more than 13 million people, and local research indicates that cost and difficulty finding an NHS dentist are deterring Liverpool residents from seeking care.

Residents of Cronton, led by campaigner Sue Fealey and the Cronton Action Group, oppose Taylor Wimpey’s proposed 350-home development and access road through narrow Chapel Lane, citing safety risks, congestion and the loss of green belt. Halton Council approved the housing element, but Knowsley Council rejected the access road; Taylor Wimpey has appealed, arguing the site is sustainable, the road can accommodate forecast traffic and the scheme would provide affordable, environmentally friendly homes. The appeal is due to be heard on September 22, while separate housing proposals by Bellway and others have intensified local concerns about Cronton’s expansion.

Patricia Cairns, a sheltered-housing resident in Seaforth with asthma, says black mould emerging through her bathroom floor has made the room unusable and that Riverside repeatedly delayed repairs. She has been using a communal bathroom while awaiting replacement flooring. Riverside says the blocked shower was repaired promptly, inspections were carried out within regulatory timeframes, and it is liaising with Cairns to schedule the flooring work; it also says repairs to windowsills at the complex will be completed over the coming months.

Businesses at the Orrell Mount industrial estate in Bootle say recurring fly-tipping is damaging their reputation, disrupting operations and creating hazards including vermin, blocked drains and dumped gas canisters. Freeport Commercial Ltd has begun monitoring CCTV and captured a vehicle number plate, while the council says the privately owned site is being inspected daily and cleared by street-cleaning teams. Sefton Council reports at least six further incidents, evidence in three cases, one job loss and cooperation with Merseyside Police, alongside increased investment in CCTV, fines and enforcement, but businesses remain frustrated that the dumping continues.

Knowsley Council is replacing the externally obtained Level 2 taxi-driver qualification with an enhanced in-house assessment after concerns that training providers misrepresented council approval and offered study materials resembling test answers. The revised process may use a larger randomised question pool, digital and video-speaking elements, and annual reviews of entry standards. The council also plans to maintain language and suitability checks while limiting the impact on officer workloads. Taxi Academy denied using the council’s logo or claiming preferential treatment. Separately, new emissions standards will require hackney carriages to be manufactured after January 2011 and private hire vehicles after September 2014.

Ace Padel has submitted plans to Sefton Council for a new padel development at the Playfootball Centre on Drummond Road in Thornton. The proposal would replace a storage building with four padel courts, one padbol court and a clubhouse containing reception facilities, changing rooms, a café, seating and a sports-equipment shop. Two courts would be covered, while visitors would use the existing football club car park. The applicant describes the scheme as a modest expansion that would provide new recreational and social opportunities without causing transport, flood-risk, biodiversity, visual or neighbour-amenity problems.

Sefton Council is forecasting a £4.29m revenue overspend for 2026–27, driven largely by an £11.8m projected shortfall in children’s social care. Adult social care and education are also under pressure, though planned savings and budget provisions reduce the overall deficit. Capital spending has increased, including £33m added for the Southport Marine Lake Events Centre and funding for a new SEND school. The council continues to face a rising high needs deficit, now £106m, driven by growing demand for SEND support. Government plans to cover up to 90% of councils’ deficits could reduce Sefton’s borrowing costs, which council leaders welcomed.

Knowsley reports some of the highest childhood obesity rates in England, with more than 40% of Year 6 pupils and nearly 30% of Reception children overweight or obese. The council attributes disparities to deprivation, food deserts, and the high cost of healthy food, and is working toward long-term goals of healthier diets and activity among children. Programmes include healthier school menus, reformulated high‑school food options, and support networks such as food clubs and social supermarkets. Councillors and youth representatives questioned how to better reach children attending out‑of‑borough schools and reduce stigma around obesity, while officials acknowledged affordability and accessibility as major challenges and committed to further engagement with young people.

Residents in Formby report severe noise and vibrations from driven piling at a Redrow housing development, citing sleep disruption, property shaking and emotional distress. Locals argue that alternative piling methods could reduce the impact, accusing Sefton Council of failing to consider technical evidence provided by the parish council. Redrow states that piling has been approved by authorities, asserts no property damage has been identified, and has paused work for the summer while switching to a larger rig to lessen disruption. Demonstrators continue to call for action as the project’s timeframe may extend due to earlier equipment issues.

A squirrel pox outbreak has emerged in Formby, killing eight red squirrels within a week and raising fears of severe population decline similar to the 80% loss during the 2008 outbreak. The disease, carried asymptomatically by grey squirrels, is often fatal to red squirrels within two weeks. Lancashire Wildlife Trust is urging residents and visitors to remove feeders, disinfect equipment, and report sightings of red and grey squirrels to help curb transmission. Conservation groups warn that decades of efforts to preserve Formby’s vulnerable red squirrel population could be undone without swift community action.

Knowsley Council approved AFC Knowsley’s plans to upgrade its football ground with new floodlights, seating, dugouts and fencing to meet league requirements and support the club’s expansion. The club, which recently secured a place in the North West Counties Football League, aims to enhance spectator facilities, accessibility and long-term sustainability. The application drew some objections over lighting, noise and parking, while receiving broader community support. Approval is subject to conditions including a biodiversity gain plan.

A proposal by Green Party councillor Neil Doolin to preserve a 400‑metre sandy section of Southport Beach for public use was rejected by Sefton Council, which prioritised allowing natural coastal processes to continue. Residents expressed mixed views, balancing tourism needs with wildlife conservation. Council officials emphasised that the beach’s evolving saltmarsh provides natural sea defence and falls under Natural England’s regulatory authority, making interventions difficult and historically ineffective. The vote split along party lines, and comparisons were drawn to similar ecological changes at Hoylake, where natural habitat development has also limited human intervention.

Residents and local officials in Maghull express strong opposition to new housing proposals from Prospect Homes and Anwyl Homes, citing overstretched infrastructure, loss of green space and flood‑risk concerns. Councillors argue the proposed sites fall outside the Local Plan and are needed for flood resilience, while the local MP urges developers to prioritise existing permitted projects. Longtime residents describe worsening pressure on schools, healthcare and transport as recent large housing estates have been built. Prospect Homes says it is in an early consultation phase and will conduct full technical assessments before any planning application is submitted.

Sefton Council agreed to push for the retention of 1,400 Civil Service jobs at Birkdale’s Smedley Hydro amid a government property review that could relocate staff by 2030. Councillors, led by John Pugh, warned that moving operations to cities like Liverpool or Preston would damage Southport’s economy and create hardship for employees with caring responsibilities. The council will request a ministerial visit and coordinate lobbying efforts, while concerns were raised about the potential for the historic building to fall into dereliction if vacated. The motion passed unanimously, though the Government Property Agency stated no changes would occur before 2030 and that staff consultations will precede any decision.

Sefton Council defended its decision to close the Churchtown Botanic Gardens aviary on the grounds that aviaries no longer meet modern animal welfare standards and are costly to maintain, prompting backlash from community volunteers and opposition councillors. Campaigners argued the aviary is a valued historic feature and sought to use lottery match funding to support its future, while councillors questioned the lack of public consultation and the council’s mixed messaging over financial versus welfare motives. Heated exchanges marked the council meeting, culminating in the narrow rejection of a motion to allocate funds to help keep the aviary open.

Knowsley Council is making significant progress in improving its children’s social services, aiming to move from an inadequate to a good Ofsted rating following a comprehensive improvement programme. Monitoring visits and a recent Department for Education review highlight measurable gains in leadership, safeguarding practice, workforce capacity and partnership working, though consistency and long-term stability remain priorities. Council officials emphasize sustained commitment and substantial investment, including funding for over 40 new staff. The DfE and its advisor commend the council’s transparency, accelerated response to previous criticisms and strengthened collaboration across services, while stressing the need to maintain momentum.

Knowsley Council approved a £2.5m plan to create a new retail and leisure facility in Kirkby featuring several padel courts, part of a broader £19.5m Pride in Place investment. Supporters argue the project will boost community activity, health, and town centre footfall, while critics question spending priorities and the use of public funds for what some see as a niche or privately beneficial activity. Council leaders maintain the development will be a community asset aimed at inclusion and increased participation, with plans for the courts to be operated in partnership with schools and local groups.

Lloyds Banking Group’s decision to close branches in Huyton and Kirkby has prompted criticism from local MP Anneliese Midgley and Knowsley Council leaders, who warn the closures will harm elderly and digitally excluded residents as well as small businesses. An assessment conducted for the banks did not recommend establishing a banking hub in Huyton, a conclusion council leader Graham Morgan argues is based on flawed data. Despite lobbying efforts and further submissions to the interbank network Link, the recommendation remains unchanged and has escalated into a formal complaint. The council is also exploring how libraries and post offices could assist residents lacking access to online banking amid a broader trend of bank closures across Merseyside.

A long‑running youth centre in Halewood has been secured for at least three years after receiving £300,000 from the National Lottery Community Fund, preventing imminent closure due to dwindling reserves. Staff emphasise the importance of the centre’s services, including education support programmes run with Halewood Academy, and note ongoing financial challenges in a highly deprived area. The new funding will maintain operations while the team continues to seek additional grants and income sources to support future development.

The Green Party urges action to prevent a section of Southport beach from turning into a mudflat, warning of potential loss to the community, local economy and wildlife. Councillor Neil Doolin proposes measures such as sand fences, improved tidal flow beneath the pier and the physical removal of colonising vegetation. He calls on Sefton Council to work with Natural England, reject toxic weedkillers and focus restoration efforts on a 400‑metre stretch of beach. His recommendations are set for discussion at the upcoming full council meeting.

Community volunteers and residents strongly oppose Sefton Council’s plan to close the Churchtown Botanic Gardens aviary, arguing the facility is historically significant, well‑maintained, and important to local people. The council cites animal welfare concerns, high running costs, and ageing infrastructure, stating rehoming will be prioritised and euthanasia ruled out. Thousands have signed petitions, and local leaders, including MP Patrick Hurley, are exploring funding options to keep the aviary open. Campaigners question the council’s funding decisions and seek clarity on a stalled match‑funding bid linked to a proposed National Lottery Heritage Fund application. The council maintains welfare standards are the core issue while committing to a careful rehoming process and long‑term park improvements.

Knowsley Council approved plans for three new 5G antennas and a GPS node in Kirkby despite objections from residents concerned about health risks, visual impact and procedural issues. Officials stated the installation complies with national regulations and ICNIRP safety standards, arguing that the site’s existing telecommunications equipment reduces additional impact. Residents challenged the accuracy of the safety certification and warned about potential interference with medical implants. EE defended the project, citing rising demand for connectivity and its role in supporting emergency services. The committee approved the proposal with seven councillors voting against.

Knowsley Council approved an 84‑home development on the former Huyton Cricket Club site despite objections from residents and several councillors. Developer Breck plans a mix of affordable homes and renovation of the Grade II listed pavilion, which will be restored for community or commercial use. The project includes tree planting and financial contributions for a new cricket pitch and public open spaces, although it has not yet met biodiversity targets. Opponents raised concerns about traffic, loss of green space, heritage impact and local infrastructure pressures, while councillors debated issues including congestion and archaeological requirements. The planning committee ultimately approved the application with conditions, with five members voting against it.

A vacant church in Formby will be converted into a children’s gymnastics centre after Sefton Council approved plans submitted by former Olympic gymnast Dan Purvis. The redevelopment involves minimal structural changes and will operate within council‑set hours to limit local impact. Classes for toddlers through teenagers, along with occasional competitions, will run outside peak school times to manage parking and congestion. The building’s exterior will remain unchanged aside from new signage, and the facility is intended to serve the local community while preserving the church’s architectural identity.

Accidental damage to fibre optic cables by an Environment Agency contractor left around 3,000 Openreach customers in Maghull without internet and landline services for several days. Engineers worked through the weekend to repair the significant damage, with most connections restored by Sunday. MP Bill Esterson criticised the length of the outage and called for further investigation, while residents reported disruption to healthcare communication and safety systems for elderly relatives. The Environment Agency apologised and is investigating the incident.

Residents and councillors in Whiston report that infrequent and unreliable rail services are hindering access to work, school and hospital appointments. Passengers describe frequent cancellations, overcrowding and insufficient service frequency, particularly on weekends. Local councillors argue the community is disadvantaged and are petitioning Northern Rail to restore more frequent services and improve communication. Northern Rail cites contractual limits and staffing issues but says it is working with conductors and unions to address concerns.

Volunteers from Lord Street in Bloom are restoring Southport’s Bandstand Gardens ahead of summer concerts, supported by local businesses and community partners. The group has revitalised flowerbeds, repainted structures and expanded membership, aiming to turn the space into a hub for events and social activity. A crowdfunder seeks £10,000 for maintenance equipment, while related community projects include floral displays for Southport Station. The effort aligns with broader plans to transform Town Hall Gardens into a major events space.

Knowsley Council is set to decide on a proposal by developer Breck to build 84 affordable homes on the disused Huyton Cricket Club site and restore its Grade II listed pavilion for community or commercial use. The project drew 23 objections citing traffic, infrastructure strain, heritage concerns, and the loss of green space, though planning officers recommend approval with conditions including Section 106 contributions and retention of 10% affordable housing in perpetuity. The council notes increased local housing targets following national policy changes, while objectors argue the development is unnecessary and detrimental to the community and environment.

A closure order on Moreton Convenience Store in Wirral has been extended for three months after Trading Standards and magistrates determined the business continued to pose a risk of criminal activity. Inspections uncovered thousands of concealed illegal cigarettes and large quantities of illicit hand‑rolling tobacco, including items hidden in a remote‑controlled compartment. The shop’s proprietor and landlords did not contest the extension, and the landlords were ordered to pay costs. Local officials emphasized landlords’ responsibility to act when illegal activities occur on their property, warning of potential money‑laundering offences.

Approval was granted for converting the former Pear Tree Inn in Melling into a Bumbles Nursery facility for up to 80 children, supported by a small rear extension and updated parking arrangements. Council documents cite growing childcare demand driven by housing growth and expanded funded childcare hours. Despite six objections concerning traffic, air quality, and green belt concerns, councillors judged the impact acceptable, noting the site’s existing built-up context and comparable activity levels to its previous use. Following representations from local councillors and the applicant’s agent, the Planning Committee unanimously approved the project with conditions on materials, sound insulation, and a required travel plan.

Sefton Council rejected Suzie’s Churchtown’s modified retrospective plans to retain an enclosed terrace and awning, citing harm to neighbouring properties and the conservation area as well as increased noise, parking pressures and site intensification. The restaurant argued the structure is essential for business viability and community benefit, supported by a 3,000‑signature petition, while councillors noted no formal noise complaints to date. The application failed to secure majority approval, and the restaurant continues to appeal a previous refusal, warning that removal of the terrace could lead to job losses and potential closure.

Local residents and councillors expressed anger over Sefton Council’s decision to close the Churchtown Botanic Gardens aviary, citing rising maintenance costs and inadequate welfare standards. The Liberal Democrats criticised the lack of consultation and urged a rethink, highlighting the aviary’s community value and minimal financial impact. Supporters argued the attraction provides wellbeing benefits, with some proposing entry fees or volunteer support to keep it open. The council said it would begin closure planning, ensure rehoming of animals, and maintain welfare standards, while noting that other council funding, such as for highways, is ring‑fenced.

Residents in Seaforth report years of rubbish accumulation caused by bin bags being left outside days before collection, attracting seagulls, rats and cats. They say both Sefton Council and One Vision Housing have failed to provide lasting solutions despite repeated complaints. After reassessment, the council confirmed wheelie bins will now be issued and is working with the housing association on further measures, including potential community skips. Officials express confidence that conditions will improve once new bins are in place.

Sefton Council is set to decide whether to refuse a part-retrospective application for a terrace extension at Suzie’s in Churchtown after the restaurant was ordered to remove an awning installed without planning permission. Planning officers argue the structure harms neighbouring properties and the Churchtown Conservation Area by intensifying use, increasing noise, and adding parking pressure. Suzie’s management warns that losing the terrace could threaten its viability, affecting staff and community activities, while a petition supporting the venue has surpassed 3,000 signatures. The earlier refusal is under appeal, and the council maintains that all property owners must follow planning rules.

A proposal to build 72 homes on land off New Cut Lane in Halsall has drawn strong objections, particularly from Sefton Council, which argues that most traffic impacts would fall within its boundary. The development by NC Developments (NW) Ltd requires a new junction and further transport assessments after Lancashire County Council found the current design insufficient. Sefton Council also criticised the road safety analysis and predicted most residents would travel into Southport for work. West Lancashire Council is reviewing the outline application, which has triggered numerous local objections over traffic, flood risk, wildlife and urban expansion.