Proposed Changing Rooms on Newsham Park, Fairfield

What a disappointment it was to receive the notice of a planning application "To erect single storey prefabricated modular changing pavilion (including associated loss of 27 metres of hedging)" on the historic Victorian Newsham Park in the conservation area in Fairfield.

Which part, I wonder, of "historic", "Victorian" and "Conservation area" is Liverpool City Council unable to understand?

Why would the Education Directorate imagine that we would be happy about a pre-fab being plonked down on top of our bowling green? Or 27 metres of hedge being scrubbed up? There are 39.37 inches in a metre, so lets call that about 90' shall we.

The Friends of Newsham Park are in an uproar, as you would imagine.

The Conservation Officer is not exactly thrilled either - and I cannot think the Park staff are made-up, it is not the kind of thing that will enhance our proposed HLF bid.

Catherine Jones at the Liverpool Echo was kind enough to carry the story for us.
I have asked Councillor Berni Turner, Liberal Democrat Executive Member for Parks to arrange a meeting with the Friends, the councillors, the Park Staff, the Conservation Staff, the Planning Staff and the Education staff so we can try and thrash something out before the planning application is determined.

(She has already met with Cllr Doran and with a representative of the Friends Group but refused to let me attend. So I hope she comes good on this request this time).

To be honest, where this application is concerned, nothing short of "not in that spot" and "not looking like that" is likely to satisfy.

Thankfully the Planning Officer has agreed to put the proposal to a Planning Committee instead of deciding it herslf.

If you want to comment on the plans yourself then please note the following;

Application ref: 08DC/0349 (Please quote at all times)

The application may be inspected at the Ground Floor Reception, Millennium House, 60 Victoria Street, Liverpool, L1 6JF during the following hours:
Monday – Friday 8.00 a.m. – 6.00 p.m. (except during Bank and Public holidays). If calling into the department to inspect the plans, you are advised to make a prior appointment to ensure that the case officer is available. If you have the application number with you when you visit, it will help staff find the file for you as quickly as possible.

If you have any comments to make on this application, you should write to Nicola Robinson in the Planning Department as soon as possible so that she receives them not later than 11th March 2008 quoting the above application reference number.