Supporters Trust says Ingleborough field plan will be a 'lasting legacy' for future generations (From Wirral Globe)
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Supporters Trust says Ingleborough field plan will be a 'lasting legacy' for future generations
9:20am Friday 19th October 2012 in News
Trust chairman Ben Harrison
Tranmere Rovers Supporters Trust is calling on Wirral's planning chiefs to leave what it calls "a lasting legacy for generations of young people" by approving plans to build a new housing development at Ingleborough Road and state-of-the-art sporting facilities at Woodchurch Leisure Centre.
Wirral Council's planning committee will sit next Thursday, October 25, to deliver its long-awaited verdict on Tranmere Rovers' application to construct up to 90 new houses on the Ingleborough Road playing field and a new sports and training complex adjacent to Woodchurch Leisure Centre.
TheTrust believes the proposal, which planning officers are recommending councillors approve, would "deliver enormous benefits" including state-of-the-art sports facilities for generations of young people, much-needed housing provision and a host of jobs.
The application has been at the centre of heated exchanges between those in favour and those against.
Campaigners have fiercely argued the site’s historical significance should be preserved for future generations.
The field is a dedicated memorial to 88 former students of Birkenhead Institute who lost their lives in the First World War, among them the renowned war poet Wilfred Owen, who was educated at the school.
Eighty-eight trees representing the fallen soldiers were planted at Ingleborough as a "living memorial" to them in the 1920s.
The new development would incorporate a dedicated, landscaped memorial area at the southern entrance to the site to serve as a publicly-accessible tribute to the dead.
.A decision over the scheme has been delayed three times in the last year, Rovers also withdrew their original application in February before later re-submitting it.
The Trust says approval would safeguard the future of Rovers, which has been a “focal point of the Wirral community for more than 125 years.”
Chairman Ben Harrison said: "It is time for Wirral councillors to deliver the only verdict that would benefit local residents.
"The choice is between retaining a privately-owned, inaccessible field which is not fit for purpose and serves nobody, or giving approval to a transformational scheme which would benefit thousands of people for years to come by creating jobs and providing new housing and top-rate community sports facilities.
"Let us be very clear. Ingleborough and Woodchurch residents have voted overwhelmingly in favour of the schemes, while the Tranmere Hall Residents Association have submitted their approval to the council and have been integral to the design and planning process all along. Out of 166 representations submitted to the council, the majority were in favour.
"Our great year of sport has inspired young people across the country and the complex at Woodchurch would provide facilities that the peninsula badly needs. We are urging the planning committee to make the only sensible decision available to them."
Trust vice-chairman Mark Bartley said: "We appreciate this is an emotive issue but the plans make provision for a landscaped memorial area within the housing development.
"We have long argued that the overwhelming benefits of both schemes, combined with local residents' wishes, make this an acceptable compromise and have yet to hear a rational argument to dispute this.
"Tranmere Rovers counts a number of servicemen and women among their support and arguably does more than any other organisation on the Wirral to promote respect for our troops and those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for their country, whether it be through partnering the Royal British Legion, promoting the poppy appeal, raising thousands of pounds annually through collections or having special match-days dedicated to the armed forces."
Although council officers say the scheme should be given the go-ahead, it will be for councillors on the planning committee to make the final decision when it is put to the vote next Thursday evening.
Comments(15)
remember the past preserve the future
says...
1:18pm Fri 19 Oct 12
HOW ABOUT THE DEAN JOHNSON COMMUNITY CENTRE
woodyres2
says...
2:28pm Fri 19 Oct 12
Let me "make it very clear to him" , the residents of Woodchurch have NOT been properly consulted .... and as I have said in previous posts, Mr Harrison does not have the right to speak of what will be beneficial to our community.
With regards to the lasting legacy - what about other sports & activities ?
To create a proper lasting legacy, you need to look beyond football, and come and speak to the residents of Woodchurch to hear what they would like to see on their "Greenbelt" land.
woodyres2
says...
2:31pm Fri 19 Oct 12
remember the past preserve the future wrote:Or the Peter Johnson leisure centre, he's the one who stands to benefit most when the land is sold.
I THINK THE NEW CENTRE AT WOODCHURCH SHOULD BE GIVEN A COMMUNITY NAME THAT EEVERY ONE CAN RELATE TO HOW ABOUT THE DEAN JOHNSON COMMUNITY CENTRE
Lurkinhead
says...
6:03pm Fri 19 Oct 12
woodyres2 wrote:I live on The Woody, and I'd have to disagree with you there as regards the consultation Woodyres2.
I wondered when Ben Harrison was going to pop up again in all this.
Let me "make it very clear to him" , the residents of Woodchurch have NOT been properly consulted .... and as I have said in previous posts, Mr Harrison does not have the right to speak of what will be beneficial to our community.
With regards to the lasting legacy - what about other sports & activities ?
To create a proper lasting legacy, you need to look beyond football, and come and speak to the residents of Woodchurch to hear what they would like to see on their "Greenbelt" land.
All Woodchurch households were in receipt of a brochure outlining the planning proposal, and inviting their views.
There were ballot boxes at the Leisure Centre itself, Pemberton Road Methodist Church, Holy Cross Church, St Michaels Church, Wirral Partnership Homes office on Hoole Rd, Woodchurch Library, and at Asda, where there was also an accessible to all display, with officials present to answer questions.
Furthermore, there were drop-in sessions at the Leisure Centre, Pemberton Rd Methodist Church & Asda.
I will concede that the response rate was small, but at the end of the day, you can only give people the opportunity to express a view, but whether they choose to do so is a matter for them. The key point is, the opportunity to engage was most certainly present.
Of those Woodchurch residents who did comment, 98.70% were in favour of TRFC moving to Woodchurch, and the plans for the Leisure Centre, with 0.95% against, & 0.32% don't knows.
Depending on your perspective, I suppose you could interpret the low turnout in numerous ways, but ultimately, it was demonstrably a proper consultation, in my opinion anyway.
One thing I would agree with you on though is that ideally, I would like to see the running track retained too.
As for the land being "greenbelt", most of it has been unloved, uncared for & in poor condition for ages, and good for little else that as a dog toilet - hardly a well-loved or well-used open space! To me, bringing this whole area back to life is a fantastic initiative, and one I wholeheartedly support.
uncatom
says...
11:26am Sat 20 Oct 12
Lurkinhead
says...
11:35am Sat 20 Oct 12
uncatom wrote:Hey uncatom,
A lasting legacy of averice and underhanded dealings more like, a blight on Wirral, if the councillors spent as much time and resouces looking after all of Wirral as they have on TRFC perhaps we would'nt be were we are now.
Don't know if you saw my comment on the other thread, but in case you didn't, I was saying that it's only a fiver in next Saturday, at home to Preston, for senior citizens, as well as current & ex service men & women. Oh, and there's a collection in the ground for the poppy appeal too.
Why not pop down to your local community football club and give them a bit of support in their efforts to show solidarity with our brave armed forces?
You never know, you might actually enjoy yourself, and at the very least, it would give you a break from being miserable all the time on here!
remember the past preserve the future
says...
12:09pm Sat 20 Oct 12
LETS MAKE HIM A GUEST OF HONOUR
GUESSING HES AN EX SERVICEMAN TOO
remember the past preserve the future
says...
12:09pm Sat 20 Oct 12
LETS MAKE HIM A GUEST OF HONOUR
GUESSING HES AN EX SERVICEMAN TOO
woodyres2
says...
1:54pm Mon 22 Oct 12
Lurkinhead wrote:Agreeing with a lot you say there Lurkinhead, but would point out that the resubmitted plans have been greatly changed, and local councillors stated that a 2nd consultation would take place. This has not happened.
woodyres2 wrote: I wondered when Ben Harrison was going to pop up again in all this. Let me "make it very clear to him" , the residents of Woodchurch have NOT been properly consulted .... and as I have said in previous posts, Mr Harrison does not have the right to speak of what will be beneficial to our community. With regards to the lasting legacy - what about other sports & activities ? To create a proper lasting legacy, you need to look beyond football, and come and speak to the residents of Woodchurch to hear what they would like to see on their "Greenbelt" land.I live on The Woody, and I'd have to disagree with you there as regards the consultation Woodyres2. All Woodchurch households were in receipt of a brochure outlining the planning proposal, and inviting their views. There were ballot boxes at the Leisure Centre itself, Pemberton Road Methodist Church, Holy Cross Church, St Michaels Church, Wirral Partnership Homes office on Hoole Rd, Woodchurch Library, and at Asda, where there was also an accessible to all display, with officials present to answer questions. Furthermore, there were drop-in sessions at the Leisure Centre, Pemberton Rd Methodist Church & Asda. I will concede that the response rate was small, but at the end of the day, you can only give people the opportunity to express a view, but whether they choose to do so is a matter for them. The key point is, the opportunity to engage was most certainly present. Of those Woodchurch residents who did comment, 98.70% were in favour of TRFC moving to Woodchurch, and the plans for the Leisure Centre, with 0.95% against, & 0.32% don't knows. Depending on your perspective, I suppose you could interpret the low turnout in numerous ways, but ultimately, it was demonstrably a proper consultation, in my opinion anyway. One thing I would agree with you on though is that ideally, I would like to see the running track retained too. As for the land being "greenbelt", most of it has been unloved, uncared for & in poor condition for ages, and good for little else that as a dog toilet - hardly a well-loved or well-used open space! To me, bringing this whole area back to life is a fantastic initiative, and one I wholeheartedly support.
You only need to look at the state of the leisure centre and the community centre (AKA the Tardis) to realise how neglected both buildings are now. The Council are to blame for that, just look at how they tried to close them down a few years back.
I think the Tranmere development will ultimately be good for Woodchurch, I am simply asking that TRFC listen to the residents. Hear what they would like to see, and not set prices for use of rooms/pitches etc too high as has happened at the Sports Hall ( run by Woody High School ).
bickyboy
says...
8:26pm Wed 24 Oct 12
Lurkinhead wrote:Hey Lurkin
uncatom wrote:Hey uncatom,
A lasting legacy of averice and underhanded dealings more like, a blight on Wirral, if the councillors spent as much time and resouces looking after all of Wirral as they have on TRFC perhaps we would'nt be were we are now.
Don't know if you saw my comment on the other thread, but in case you didn't, I was saying that it's only a fiver in next Saturday, at home to Preston, for senior citizens, as well as current & ex service men & women. Oh, and there's a collection in the ground for the poppy appeal too.
Why not pop down to your local community football club and give them a bit of support in their efforts to show solidarity with our brave armed forces?
You never know, you might actually enjoy yourself, and at the very least, it would give you a break from being miserable all the time on here!
Whats going on? Two defeats on the trot? I guess the bubble was bound to burst at some point, but I hope this isn't a sign that the ghost of John Barnes's disastrous reign has suddenly turned up and put a hex on the boys. My kids were there the other night and to be frank, they reckoned both teams were pretty awful.
On a positive note, it's excellent news to hear of TRFC continuing their brilliant policy of giving concessions to certain groups. If only they'd give similarly generous concessions to the rights of the war dead not to have their memorials disturbed in the name of profit, eh? :0)
Incidentally, I don't think these threads are "miserable" at all. I think its good to have a ding-dong now and again, get things out in the open and perhaps even "rattle" the odd cage or two. Don't you agree?
woodyres2
says...
9:17am Thu 25 Oct 12
bickyboy wrote:well said Bickboy, i think there will be a lot of cage rattling to come .... bring it on !!
Lurkinhead wrote:Hey Lurkin Whats going on? Two defeats on the trot? I guess the bubble was bound to burst at some point, but I hope this isn't a sign that the ghost of John Barnes's disastrous reign has suddenly turned up and put a hex on the boys. My kids were there the other night and to be frank, they reckoned both teams were pretty awful. On a positive note, it's excellent news to hear of TRFC continuing their brilliant policy of giving concessions to certain groups. If only they'd give similarly generous concessions to the rights of the war dead not to have their memorials disturbed in the name of profit, eh? :0) Incidentally, I don't think these threads are "miserable" at all. I think its good to have a ding-dong now and again, get things out in the open and perhaps even "rattle" the odd cage or two. Don't you agree?uncatom wrote: A lasting legacy of averice and underhanded dealings more like, a blight on Wirral, if the councillors spent as much time and resouces looking after all of Wirral as they have on TRFC perhaps we would'nt be were we are now.Hey uncatom, Don't know if you saw my comment on the other thread, but in case you didn't, I was saying that it's only a fiver in next Saturday, at home to Preston, for senior citizens, as well as current & ex service men & women. Oh, and there's a collection in the ground for the poppy appeal too. Why not pop down to your local community football club and give them a bit of support in their efforts to show solidarity with our brave armed forces? You never know, you might actually enjoy yourself, and at the very least, it would give you a break from being miserable all the time on here!
Lurkinhead
says...
1:59pm Thu 25 Oct 12
bickyboy wrote:Yes bicky, the result was very disappointing on Tuesday, especially the manner of it, especially Iain Hume of all people bagging the Donny winner two minutes into stoppage time. However, I was encouraged by our performance, considering the depleted squad due to injuries, and Robbo's obvious discomfort, and actually thought it was one of our better displays of this season. There have been a couple of games we have won where I think we have slightly rode our luck, and Tuesday was perhaps the reciprocal of that.
Lurkinhead wrote:Hey Lurkin
uncatom wrote:Hey uncatom,
A lasting legacy of averice and underhanded dealings more like, a blight on Wirral, if the councillors spent as much time and resouces looking after all of Wirral as they have on TRFC perhaps we would'nt be were we are now.
Don't know if you saw my comment on the other thread, but in case you didn't, I was saying that it's only a fiver in next Saturday, at home to Preston, for senior citizens, as well as current & ex service men & women. Oh, and there's a collection in the ground for the poppy appeal too.
Why not pop down to your local community football club and give them a bit of support in their efforts to show solidarity with our brave armed forces?
You never know, you might actually enjoy yourself, and at the very least, it would give you a break from being miserable all the time on here!
Whats going on? Two defeats on the trot? I guess the bubble was bound to burst at some point, but I hope this isn't a sign that the ghost of John Barnes's disastrous reign has suddenly turned up and put a hex on the boys. My kids were there the other night and to be frank, they reckoned both teams were pretty awful.
On a positive note, it's excellent news to hear of TRFC continuing their brilliant policy of giving concessions to certain groups. If only they'd give similarly generous concessions to the rights of the war dead not to have their memorials disturbed in the name of profit, eh? :0)
Incidentally, I don't think these threads are "miserable" at all. I think its good to have a ding-dong now and again, get things out in the open and perhaps even "rattle" the odd cage or two. Don't you agree?
Did you go by the way? If so, I hope you enjoyed what was undeniably an entertaining game.
As regards another impending result tonight, I guess it's all in the lap of the gods now, so however it all pans out, may I take this opportunity to wish you, uncatom and the other genuine anti's all the best and good luck for the future.
It's been an entertaining debate!
uncatom
says...
8:00pm Thu 25 Oct 12
thank you for the good wishes,it certainly has been entertaining! but you never know !
Hiutsuri
says...
5:40pm Fri 9 Nov 12
Lest We Forget?
Wirral Council Forgot
Beacon Council?
More like Parasitic Cheating Scoundrel Sycophants
Scum should be shot
Gingerthinker says...
10:58am Fri 19 Oct 12
Cue the inevitable......