Sefton is rewriting its Local Plan, but what does that actually mean for Formby?

Formby already has its own plan

Many people may be surprised to learn that Formby already has its own planning rulebook.

The Formby and Little Altcar Neighbourhood Plan was adopted in November 2019 after years of consultation with local residents. Although it was formally adopted in 2019, it was deliberately written to cover the same planning period as Sefton's current Local Plan – from 2012 to 2030.

Rather than replacing Sefton's Local Plan, the two documents work together.

"Sefton decides how much development Formby needs. Formby decides what that development should look like."

Sefton's Local Plan sets the strategic direction for the whole borough, deciding issues such as housing numbers, employment land, transport and major infrastructure. Formby's Neighbourhood Plan builds on those borough-wide policies by setting out additional planning rules that reflect the character and priorities of Formby and Little Altcar.

What makes Formby's plan different?

Although much of Formby's 96-page document explains the history and character of the area, it also introduced several planning policies that are unique to Formby.

These include:

• A maximum building height of 2½ storeys in much of the low-lying area, helping preserve Formby's distinctive low-rise character.

• Designation of Local Green Spaces, giving additional protection to important open areas within the town.

• Protection for mature trees and landscaping, with stronger expectations that they are retained wherever possible.

• Housing policies encouraging more starter homes and homes suitable for older residents looking to downsize. Intended to provide homes for local Formbeians.

• Additional planning policies aimed at reducing flood risk, reflecting one of the town's long-standing concerns.

• Policies promoting better walking and cycling connections as new development comes forward.

Formby's Neighbourhood Plan was adopted after Sefton's current Local Plan, which means that some of its local planning policies take precedence where they conflict with older, non-strategic borough-wide policies. However, once Sefton adopts its new Local Plan, any conflicting policies in that newer document could supersede parts of Formby's existing plan.

So why does Sefton's new plan matter?

Although Formby's Neighbourhood Plan remains in force, it doesn't exist in isolation.

Neighbourhood plans must work alongside the borough's Local Plan, which provides the strategic planning framework. As Sefton prepares a replacement Local Plan running until 2044, that wider framework is set to change.

The Formby plan does not automatically expire when its 2012–2030 plan period comes to an end. However, once Sefton adopts a new Local Plan, it is likely that Formby's own plan will eventually need to be reviewed to ensure it remains consistent with the latest strategic policies.

At this stage, no review of the Formby and Little Altcar Neighbourhood Plan has been announced, but Hello Formby have reached out to the parish council for details of when this may occur.

Could more housing come to Formby?

Formby is entirely ringed by green belt land, however, recent changes to the National Planning Policy Framework, made in December 2024 have reduced the protection that green belt land used to have.

Councils preparing new Local Plans are now expected to review Green Belt boundaries if they cannot meet housing needs elsewhere, and to identify areas of so-called "Grey Belt" land that may be suitable for development.

Take a look at the 2017 map, the majority of the identified sites have been developed, but parcels of land do exist which could be brought forward in a call for sites.

That does not necessarily mean Formby's Green Belt is about to be built on. Brownfield land must still be prioritised, and any proposal to release Green Belt would have to go through Sefton's new Local Plan process. But with the borough now beginning work on that plan, the question of whether any Green Belt land could be considered for future development is likely to become one of the biggest planning debates over the coming years.

Why should Formby residents have their say?

The consultation now underway is only the first stage of what will be a process lasting several years. No decisions have yet been made about where future development should go.

However, the new Local Plan will eventually influence everything from housing numbers and transport to environmental policies and the planning framework that Formby's own Neighbourhood Plan must sit within.

In short, while Formby has its own local planning policies, Sefton decides the strategic direction for the borough as a whole.

For residents who care about how the area develops over the next 20 years, this is the opportunity to help shape those wider policies before detailed proposals are brought forward.