Formby is a much-loved nature haven for wildlife and people alike, and its coastline boasts one of Europe’s best sand dune habitats. Caring for such a unique and changing coastline creates some interesting challenges and many exciting opportunities.
Together we can shape future plans to protect this precious landscape and the rare species that call it home, while ensuring this special place can be enjoyed by everyone who loves to visit, for ever.
We know any plans for Formby must delicately balance coastal conservation work with the needs of the community who live here, as well as the needs of those who love to visit. We’re committed to:
For many years we’ve been exploring how to adapt to the natural changes happening at Victoria Road and remove the unsightly rubble spilling out on to the beach. Our vision is to create a more natural space for everyone to enjoy and healthier, connected sand dune habitats where rare wildlife can thrive.
The proposed way forward has been shaped through conversations with the local community, National Trust members and visitors, as well as advice from conservation specialists.
We’re proposing to restore the natural sand dune habitats at Victoria Road by removing the existing beach car park and associated construction rubble. The majority of the rubble materials would be re-used to create a replacement car park further inland.
We've been working closely with conservation experts and architects to find the right solution for Victoria Road. The illustrative map image below shows where dune restoration work would happen and the proposed location of the replacement car park.
"Sand dunes need to be free to move. This movement creates the habitats rare species, including natterjack toads, need to thrive. Some of Formby’s sand dunes have become too stable and disconnected. Dense scrub vegetation has taken over and unnatural elements including old construction rubble and dumped tobacco waste are creating barriers for natural processes."
This important conservation work would provide long-lasting benefits for people and wildlife; by restoring Formby’s sand dunes to their natural state and making them more dynamic. The natural processes needed to protect and bring new life to the dunes would be re-invigorated, re-connecting important sand dune habitats so that wildlife can thrive. Healthy, mobile dunes also act as a natural sea defence.
The project also includes a solution for removing the unsightly and potentially hazardous rubble on the beach. We are proposing to repurpose the majority of this rubble in the construction of a replacement car park at Victoria Road, avoiding the many thousands of lorry movements through Formby that would be required if we moved the rubble off the site.
The current beach car park is disappearing, around a third of spaces have been reclaimed by nature since the 1980s, due to natural dune rollback. This is compounding the busy day issues felt by the local community. Moving the car park away from the sand dunes will also ensure there is space for people to park and enjoy Formby for years to come.
The replacement car park would be a similar size. However, a better lay out and spaces defined with line marks, would make it easier for people to park cars more efficiently and help improve traffic flow on and off the site.
Whilst the work was carried out there would be no National Trust car parking available at Victoria Road. However, the National Trust car park at Lifeboat Road would be open as normal and the vast majority of Formby beach would still be open for visitors to enjoy.
We would continue to keep visitors updated on our social media and website to help people know what to expect and highlight any impact on plans to visit.
We’ve consulted widely on this proposal, including a focused period of engagement in summer 2021, which reached over 45,000 people and gathered valuable feedback from the local community and visitors.
This important conservation project would be made possible thanks to a significant contribution towards the dune restoration work from the UK-wide Dynamic Dunescapes project with funding from EU LIFE and the National Lottery Heritage Fund, alongside the money raised from National Trust memberships and visitors.
A planning application for the Victoria Road conservation project was submitted in November 2022. Despite being recommended for approval, the planning application for the Victoria Road project was refused in July 2023.
We need to find solutions to the issues caused by Formby’s rapidly shifting coastline. That’s why we’re in the process of appealing the refusal of the planning application.
We’re committed to this project as it will deliver significant long-term benefits for both nature and people and we’ll continue to work with and involve local people and leading experts in the field.
In 2017, the National Trust began caring for an additional 204 hectares of land at Lifeboat Road. Ongoing conversations with visitors, members and the local community highlighted the need to explore ways to improve facilities in this area of the site. The most popular suggestions were toilets, access to food and drink, as well as a place for people to meet.
The proposals for Lifeboat Road were put on hold due to the pandemic. However, at the end of 2021 the team were able to start revisiting the plans for this area.
We’re committed to making on-going improvements to the facilities and infrastructure at Lifeboat Road. The team are working hard behind the scenes to find sustainable solutions that will enhance this area for people who love to visit.
Our priorities are to provide better toilet facilities, useful signage and more accessible paths, where we can. We also want to offer a selection of refreshments, whether that be an ice cream in summer or a warming cup of coffee in winter.
We'll continue to share updates as plans develop on this website page, through social media and out in the local community.
September 2023
We're in the process of appealing the refusal of the planning application for the Victoria Road conservation project. We’re committed to this project as it will deliver significant long-term benefits for both nature and people.
Your feedback matters. Questions and comments from those who love to visit Formby have really helped shaped our thinking so far.
Get in touch to share your views, or ask us anything about the work we do:
Together we can shape future plans to protect this precious landscape and the rare species that call it home, while ensuring this special place can be enjoyed by everyone who loves to visit, for ever.
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Restoring sand dunes across England and Wales for the benefit of people, communities and wildlife.
Formby is one of the fastest changing stretches of coastline under the National Trust’s care. Discover how the team are working with nature to protect rare habitats and wildlife.
Formby’s coastline is home to many rare species, two shipwrecks and prehistoric footprints. Can you spot a red squirrel in the trees or footprints on the shoreline?
Formby is steeped in history if you know where to look. Discover the history of Formby’s asparagus fields, prehistoric footprints and shipwrecks.
Dogs are welcome at Formby, which is a one pawprint rated place. Find out all you need to know about exercising your pups on the sandy beaches and acres of woodland.
Horses are welcome at Formby. Find out all your need to know about riding your horse on the beach or through the woodlands.
We believe that nature, beauty and history are for everyone. That’s why we’re supporting wildlife, protecting historic sites and more. Find out about our work.
Find out more about the funding the National Trust receives from grants, and the projects it has helped support.