Planning permission has been granted to build controversial development East of Maghull

ON Tuesday, 23 February 2021, Sefton Central Bill Esterson informed us that the Planning Inspectorate has granted controversial planning permission for Countryside Properties and Persimmon Homes to build 841 houses on land east of Maghull. This is despite demands from Bill Esterson MP, Labour Councillors Patrick McKinley and Yvonne Sayers, and residents that a haul road - which would connect the site directly to the new M58 Junction 1; be built to reduce the impact of site traffic on residents living nearby.

Commenting on the announcement, Bill Esterson MP said:- "Residents of Maghull supported by Cllrs Patrick McKinley and Yvonne Sayers have made their concerns clear about the impact that dangerous and polluting construction lorries will have on their community. It is right that construction traffic won�t be allowed on the residential streets of Maghull but it makes no sense to use country lanes, some of which are impassable by HGVs. Taking the decision away from Sefton Council�s planning committee has made a mockery of localism. Persimmon should take this opportunity to show that they are a responsible business and build a haul road to spare residents the misery of construction traffic travelling along the country roads of Melling."

In another victory for campaigners and for Maghull Town Council, the developer will be forced to make contributions to local amenities as well as building a flood relief channel through the site.

Commenting on the victory for the campaigners, MP for Sefton Central Bill Esterson said:- "It is right that the Inspector listened to the needs of Maghull residents, the Town Council and the Labour councillors who fought hard to secure these concessions. Although we will continue to push Persimmon to build a haul road, funding for a flood relief channel, a badly needed healthcare facility and an expansion to Summerhill Primary School are all very welcome."

Full planning permission has been granted for the demolition of existing buildings and the erection of 841 residential dwellings, plus new vehicular accesses off Poverty Lane, and outline planning permission is granted for an older persons housing scheme.

The full list of required contributions to the local area by the developer include:-

► A flood relief channel.

► Contributions to the expansion of Summerhill Primary School.

► Contributions to the recently built slip roads, at Junction 1 of the M58.

► A local bus service.

► A park in Whinney Brook.

► Funding for the Leeds/Liverpool Canal.

Once both parts of the land east of Maghull are developed there could be more than 1,400 new homes on the site. At least 30% of the homes will be affordable housing, with ⅔ of this comprising homes for social or affordable rent and a third affordable (shared) homeownership. It is estimated that the development of the site will take 5 years 10 months.

The Inspector�s decision can be found here:- PlanningInspectorate.Gov.UK.

Liverpool City Region Local Business Support Grant Round 3 closes on Friday, 26 February 2021

INVESTSEFTON would like to remind you of the grant scheme which is closing shortly. Please remember that InvestSefton is NOT administrating this scheme and therefore any inquiries should be emailed to the Local Business Support Grant Round 3 mailbox at:- LBS.RoundThree@sefton.Gov.UK, not the InvestSefton mailbox. The window for receipt of applications for the Local Business Support Grant Round 3 will CLOSE, at 5:00pm, on Friday, 26 February 2021. Please note a business is NOT eligible if it has previously received a Hospitality and Leisure Grant Round 1 or a Hospitality, Leisure and Retail Grant (Expanded Scheme) Round 2; or has received or is eligible for a Taxi Driver's Grant or a Local Restrictions Support Grant (for businesses instructed to close) from its Local Authority.

CATEGORIES OF BUSINESS ELIGIBLE TO APPLY

a. Businesses that have been ordered to close (as from 5 January 2021), are not in the business rates system, are based in commercial premises, and not eligible for Local Restrictions Grant (for businesses instructed to close).

b. Supply chain businesses that predominantly supply the hospitality and leisure sectors and are based in commercial premises.

c. Self employed / sole trader / home based business (that predominantly works in or supplies the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors) / licensed market trader

d. Businesses in any sector that can demonstrate a loss of at least 40% in sales / revenue due to Covid19 (including self employed / sole trader / home based businesses). The grant funding in this category aims to help small and micro businesses in any sector that are not eligible for other grant schemes and that are struggling with a loss of sales/revenue in the current financial year due to the Coronavirus / Covid19 Pandemic.

It is essential that you read the Guidance Notes, Checklist, Terms, and Conditions, and Privacy Notice which can all be found at:- Sefton.Gov.UK. InvestSefton says:- "You may encounter problems using the 'Safari' web browser. We recommend that you use Chrome, Edge, or Internet Explorer. You must complete the online application form in one session as it cannot be saved. Any missing or incorrect information will delay the appraisal and payment process. We expect LCR Local Restrictions Grant Round 3 to prompt a large number of applications across the Borough. We'll be working through your applications as fast as we can and you will be contacted by email when your application has been processed. We advise businesses not to call or email for updates on their application unless you think you have made an error on your original application. You will be contacted directly as soon as your application is processed. We will endeavour to process applications within 4 to 6 weeks after the LCR Local Restrictions Grant Round 3 application window closes. If this timescale changes, we will update all Sefton businesses through the InvestSefton mailing list. We're making grant applications as simple and speedy as possible, but we must follow strict processes to avoid fraudulent claims. We know this is frustrating but it is important we uphold these strict standards."

Total UK cases Covid19 cases in and around Liverpool City Region

THE total number of UK Coronavirus (Covid19) infections that have been laboratory confirmed, within the UK, has risen by:- 8,489 cases and the total number now stand at:- 4,134,639 that includes tests carried out by commercial partners which are not included in the 4 National totals.

The total number of Covid19 associated UK fatalities added to the total, was sadly reported to be:-548 within 28 days of positive test, according to the Department of Health. The total number of deaths of people who have had a positive test result confirmed by a Public Health or NHS laboratory is:- 121,305, within 28 days of positive test. Deaths with Covid19 on the death certificate:- 135,613.

The number of Covid19 patients currently in UK Hospitals:- 16,797. The current number of Covid19 patients currently in mechanical ventilation beds in UK Hospitals:- 2,273 Daily number of Covid19 patients admitted to UK Hospitals:- 1,323.

In England, there are a total of:- 3,622,085 confirmed cases. North West - total of:- 569,794 confirmed cases.

The number of laboratory confirmed cases within the Liverpool City Region are as follows:-

Area and number of confirmed cases:- Risen by:-

Liverpool City Region

Nation Lockdown

National UK Restrictions

► Liverpool, 46,899 confirmed cases.
75

► Halton, 11,486 confirmed cases.
24

► Knowsley, 16,849 confirmed cases. 16

► Sefton, 22,962 confirmed cases.
35

► St. Helens, 16,245 confirmed cases.
48

► Wirral, 23,515 confirmed cases.

50

Colour Key:- 0 1 to 10 11 to 20 21 to 30 31 to 40 41 to 50 51 to 100 100 to 199 200 & over

The number of laboratory confirmed cases within Local Authorities around the Liverpool City Region, since start of the Pandemic, are as follows:-

► Blackburn with Darwen, 16,992 confirmed cases.

► Blackpool, 8,782 confirmed cases.

► Bolton, 23,923 confirmed cases.

► Bury, 16,134 confirmed cases.

► Cheshire East, 19,500 confirmed cases.

► Cheshire West and Chester, 20,384 confirmed cases.

► Lancashire, 91,803 confirmed cases.

► Manchester, 49,398 confirmed cases.

► Oldham, 21,400 confirmed cases.

► Preston, 12,726 confirmed cases.

► Rochdale, 19,598 confirmed cases.

► Salford, 21,516 confirmed cases.

► Stockport, 19,290 confirmed cases.

► Tameside, 16,727 confirmed cases.

► Trafford, 15,498 confirmed cases.

► Warrington, 16,859 confirmed cases.

► Wigan, 26,956 confirmed cases.

Total UK people who have received vaccination

1st Dose 2nd Dose

17,916,181 642,788

Jab Stats correct as of 22 February 2021

The vaccination programme began on 8 December 2020 with people receiving the vaccine developed by Pfizer / BioNTech, and people began receiving the Oxford University / AstraZeneca vaccine from 4 January 2021. Both vaccines are given as 2 doses, at least 21 days apart, for a full vaccination course.

Daily reported Covid19 deaths are now measured across the UK as deaths that occurred within 28 days of the 1st laboratory confirmed positive Covid19 test. Daily and cumulative numbers of Covid19 patients admitted to Hospital. Data are not updated every day by all 4 nations and the figures are not comparable as Wales include suspected Covid19 patients while the other nations include only confirmed cases.

The latest R number is estimated at:- 0.6 to 0.9 with a daily infection growth rate range of:- -6% to -3%, as of 19 February 2021.