From Cllr John Cocker, Chair, Wirral Planning Cttee:-

I REFER to the letter from 'Dismayed' (Mailbox, September 22) and wish to set out the facts of this proposal in order to address the misconceptions in your readers' minds.

The first issue is that Wirral Council does not, and has never, owned the old Moreton AFC site in Upton Road, Moreton. The site has been owned for a number of years by the Greenall Group. They are not interested in running small sports clubs and have wanted to sell the land for new house building.

Secondly, the Council have resisted Greenall's efforts to sell the land for housing but have to recognise national planning policy. This allows new housing on former sports grounds where equivalent new provision can be made elsewhere.

Thirdly, the provision of new football pitches and changing rooms on the Upton Park site was put forward by Parmain Homes as a solution to the loss of the football pitch at Upton Road. Local residents in Moreton wanted to see football facilities retained in Moreton and indeed some of them signed petitions or made objections to Greenall's proposals to sell the site. It seems strange that a large number of Moreton residents wanted to prevent the loss of the Moreton AFC site, but now do not wish to see the facilities replaced by putting pitches and changing facilities in at Upton Park.

The council remains committed to preventing the loss of football pitches - the new pitches at Upton Park should answer the criticism that pitches are not fit to play on.

As to the issue of new swings, the new housing on the Moreton AFC site will include a play area which can be used by local children.

Brighton Street, Wallasey.

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