JCA 57 Sefton Coast.
FGU Summary The Sefton Coast runs north from the edge of Crosby to the mouth of the Ribble
Estuary. It is characterised by intertidal sands and silts, dune systems, coastal heath, and is backed by
arable farmland. It includes a series of coastal settlements including Southport. 26% of the area is
urban, 15% is arable or horticultural, 6% improved grassland, and 5% is woodland. 24% of the area is
designated as SSSI.
2 sub-units: coastal dunes and heaths; coastal farmland.
1. Settlement and Development
The introduction of the railway in the 1840s brought about a transition from a pattern of low density rural
settlement, with few significant nucleations and roots in the migrations of the early medieval period, to a
string of coastal resorts. These have since expanded both as recreation centres and dormitory towns for
Liverpool and comprise the greater part of the character area.
Surviving areas of early nucleations e.g. the historic core of Southport and the fishing villages of Formby
and Hightown, are very limited in extent.
Much of area of the Victorian resorts as well as the later 20th century settlement expansions are built on
reclaimed lowland moss.
Traditional building materials are timber frame and, from 18th century, brick; tile and Welsh slate roofs.
2. Agriculture
The pattern of early settlement was dispersed and medium/low density reflecting the scarcity of farming
land amidst the mosses and meres. Drainage works allied to the laying of the railway opened up the
landscape to mixed farming serving both local needs and wider markets. Dispersed and loose
courtyard farmsteads are typical, mostly of late 18th/19th century date.
3. Fields and boundary patterns
Field boundaries include hedgerows and embankments where the land is reclaimed from marsh.
Ancient enclosure is scarce - only one small area on the east side of Formby. Post-medieval enclosure
is well represented along the eastern edge of the JCA, related to settlements inland and a semi-regular
series of parallel roads and tracks leading towards the coast.
4. Trees and woodland
Few pockets and copses, mostly to the south around the parkland and former parkland at Ince Blundell .
Coniferous woodland planted to stabilise the dunes around Formby Point (c.1900) now home to rare
colony of Red Squirrels.
5. Semi-natural environments
Extensive marshland, may include significant archaeological deposits.