A beautiful beach in the north of England has become a parking nightmare for locals, as residents have become seriously concerned over the National Trust’s plans to relocation Formby car park away from the beach.

Concerns have been raised that the charitable organisation’s plans to move the car park will have a negative impact on wildlife and traffic.

National Trust proposals submitted to Sefton council outline some major changes to the existing structure.

They would involve the relocation of the existing car park on Formby beach, Merseyside, to an inland area near woodland dunes, the Liverpool Echo reported.

The planning officer’s report, due to be discussed by the borough’s planning committee next week, argues that the current car park is in a special conservation area and its removal will result in sand dunes reforming .

The report doesn’t provide much clarity on the extent of the car park, which it says will depend on the amount of rubble removed from the existing site, but is unlikely to exceed 237 spaces.

Residents have criticised the plans over fears they may negatively impact the local red squirrel population, as well as worsening traffic in the area. 

Among the sceptics of the new proposals is also the neighbouring Formby Golf Club, who raised concerns over potential noise and dust during construction.

Planning officers tried to placate people’s worries by stating that the proposed car park would not have a “detrimental impact” on the greenbelt land it would be built on, citing screening that would be provided by surrounding woodland and the balancing of potential effects as a result of the removal of the existing dune car park.

The relocated car park would be “temporary”, they added, and it would allow for future restoration of the site once the structure is removed.

The report also states the trees to be removed would not result in a significant loss of habitat for the red squirrel population, as they are less suitable for the species.

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While they concede that more than 560 trees would be felled to proceed with the works, the applicants stated they could replace the trees on a one to one ratio to ensure no tree loss overall. 

The habitat being removed is “irreplaceable”, the report reads, but the loss would be balanced out by the wider ecological benefit of the existing car park relocation.

A car park management plan was also recommended as a condition for planning permission being granted, to avoid the worsening of traffic in the area, which is very busy in the summer months. 

Officers recommended approving the plans, which will go to members of the planning committee next Wednesday, June 28.

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