Formby First

Formby Green Belt Discussion Begins New Phase

Formby Green Belt and Housing Debate

Sefton Council commences the next phase of it's deliberations about the future of the Green Belt and other parcels of land in Formby on Tuesday 28 May.

At the meeting (6.30pm start)  in Bootle Town Hall the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Regeneration and Environmental Services) will consider the officers reports.

The recommendation from the officers is:

That Overview and Scrutiny note the content approach and conclusions of the Preferred Option Document and provide comment on it.
(source: Sefton MBC Web Site)

The recommended option is shown below:

Option Two is recommended as the Preferred Option. There are a number of key factors which support this recommendation.....
(Source: Sefton MBC web site)

This diagram below shows the proposed development sites in Formby included in  Preferred Option 2. Click on the map for a full size view of the diagram.

The Agenda and all the Officers report  are available on the Sefton MBC web site click here...

Follow the debate or add your views on Twitter: @formbyvillage or @formbyfirst use the Hashtag #formbygb

 

The Neighbourhood Plan Process

I came across a handy graphic that summarises the process involved in producing a neighbourhood plan. To see it in detail click on the image below.

(Source: The Handy Guide to Planning 2012 at http://www.urbanforum.org.uk/ accessed 22 May 2013)

In Formby the two local Parish Councils are at different stages in the process. Formby Parish Council is at the second stage. It has applied for a neighbourhood area to be designated. and is waiting for Sefton MBC to respond.

Little Altcar Parish Council includes most of the southern edge of the town. The agriculural land between Liverpool Road and Formby By-Pass along with the Power House site are included within it's boundaries, they are known to be subject to potential housing development.

At it's meeting on 22nd May 2013 Little Altcar Parish Council will consider whether of not to proceed with the process. At present the Council has not decided on any course of action.

A close look at the graphic illustrates above some of the steps and constraints involved.

 

Cycling between Formby and Hightown

Spring At Last

The continuing cold weather conditions meant many of the commercial crop of flowers opened weeks after Mother’s Day and Easter, when they  are traditionally in highest demand. Most are now being left to rot in the fields.

Here in Brewery Lane their bright presence is welcomed as a final sign that Spring has started. In common with the recently started dawn chorus we can all look forward to warmer, longer days.

 

Can You Spare An Hour This Weekend?

The Royal Society for the protection of birds needs your help this weekend. They want your help to conduct a short survey of birds you see in just one hour.

It's important our garden birds are disappearing. The survey could help to discover why and what to do about it?

In 1972 when I first moved into Formby the garden was full of flocks of noisy, busy sparrows. There were Blackbirds, Finches of all kind, Cuckoos, Mistle Thrush. We saw and heard Owls regularly, the evening sky was full of insects and bats.

They've all gone.

This is all you have to do - three simple steps.

Watch the birds in your garden or local park for one hour on the weekend of 26 - 27 January 2013.

Record the highest number of each bird species you see at the same time. Don't count the total over the hour as you may get the same birds visiting more than once. Also, please only count those birds that land within your garden - not flying over.

Once your hour is up, tell us what you've seen. Even if you didn't get as many birds as you expected, or your 'regulars' didn't appear, do still please let us know. It's all really useful information. Our form will be open from the Birdwatch weekend until 15 February 2013 for you to tell us what you've seen.

For more see the The Royal Society of Birds.