New Plans for Sandbrook Way

The derelict and neglected site sitting on the corner of Sandbrook Way and Sandbrook Road in Woodvale in Southport has been earmarked for development following the completion of a development brief by Sefton Council officers.

The site which once housed the Sandpiper Pub and The Book Bar, are just two of the properties purchased by Sefton Council in a bid to provide interest and investment in the retail sector. For the last couple of years, Sefton council have been buying the flats and properties on the site after issues surrounding the leasehold properties were subject to having been resolved.

Former Southport Auction Agent ‘Penny Joseph’ based in Southport helped put together the leaseholders a couple of years ago in the hope that homeowners desperate to sell their properties had access to the Sefton Housing services and their surveyors.

Madalena Penny, who is now director of Penny Lets Property Management in Southport was the former owner of Penny Joseph Auctions. said: “There has been considerable time lapsed since Sefton Council’ first voiced their interest in obtaining the site and the properties on Sandbrook Road and Sandbrook Way. However, problems tracking down the leaseholder for the site, and the properties have been a long-winded exercise. Hopefully, now some progress can be gained and new development can commence.”

At the moment 50% of the leaseholders who own property on the site have either sold their properties to Sefton Council or have agreed to.

Assistant Director of Place (Economic Growth & Housing) of Sefton Council, Stuart Barnes said: “Sefton Council is considering using compulsory acquisition powers to conclude their negotiations and in order to do this, the council needs to demonstrate it has viable and deliverable proposal for the site.”