Sefton Council is accelerating delivery of its nature-led programme for the Ainsdale Gateway, with initial works planned to begin as early as the spring.

Since the Vision was published in the autumn, the Council has moved forward with an agreement to redevelop The Sands, advanced proposals to demolish Toad Hall to allow temporary surface parking, and set out how the Pontins site will be addressed in a way that supports its EcoVision and the investment required to create a world-class, nature-aligned destination.

Cllr Paulette Lappin, Sefton Council's Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Skills and Employment, said: "We know how important it is to the local communities to do something with these sites, which is why we are looking to make progress at pace now the vision is in place.

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"Ainsdale Gateway has enormous potential, and we are determined to move forward in a way that supports the local economy and experience for visitors but also protects and enhances its unique natural character.

"These early steps show real momentum while laying the groundwork for long-term, nature-led investment."

Over the coming months, activity will include an ecology survey ahead of Toad Hall's demolition — expected to start in the spring while planning permission is sought for the car park — completion of a lease with a new purchaser for The Sands pub site, anticipated early this year, and market engagement on the former Pontins site as part of a wider transformation of the Ainsdale Gateway, alongside ongoing discussions with the current leaseholder about their intentions.

"It's really exciting to see work starting to happen," said Cllr Lappin.

"We're all fed up of looking at the derelict, fenced-off sites, and while we get on with what we can we’ll continue to put pressure on Britannia to tell the local community what they would propose for the future of the site.

"In the interim we’ll do some market testing to see what ideas potential investors may have for the site alongside the wider coastal gateway if the current leaseholders aren’t interested in doing something of benefit for the local community."