New community facilities plan thwarted after planning inspector’s ruling

A planning inspector has ruled against residential development on a disused playing field in Birkenhead, putting an end to hopes of investment in a range of community sports facilities that the site’s sale would have unlocked.

The decision means Birkenhead School, a charity and owner of the former private sports field on Noctorum Lane, must call a halt to its plans to invest in the infrastructure and outreach work of Prenton and Old Parkonians rugby clubs while it reviews the ruling.

School bursar, Mark Turner, said: “We acknowledge the inspector’s findings and will review them carefully, but this is a real opportunity lost for Wirral.

“Birkenhead School has a long track record of working with local community groups and this was an opportunity to make a real difference across at least three communities.”

The rugby clubs provide sport classes, health and wellbeing advice and social activities for the elderly and vulnerable, as well as young people, and the investment would have provided new sports pitches and unlocked facilities across both sites, sustaining a range of activities.

Mr Turner added: “The Inspector’s decision noted the potential benefits to two community clubs, recognised there is currently no prospect of Noctorum Field’s use, and that its development would have no detrimental impact on highway safety, drainage or biodiversity.

“Notwithstanding this, the opportunity to achieve the proposed benefits now, sadly, appears foregone with this decision.”