THE proposed development of a conservation area in West Kirby has provoked determined resistance from the local community.

At a public meeting held at St Bridget's Church the strength of feeling was evident from the size of the gathering.

More than 250 people attended, comprising local residents, conservation experts, parents from the local school, in addition to a series of speakers from the council, the Wirral Society, MP Margaret Greenwood and representatives of the church.

The land in question is the "horse field" and stables on Rectory Road, close to St Bridget’s Church and Primary School, which is currently owned by the Diocese of Chester.

A property company – Liberty Properties Group Ltd – are hoping to build a 64-room care home and car park on the site which is a designated conservation area.

The area is within the West Kirby Old Village Conservation site, with its buildings and fields highlighted as being critical to retaining the distinctive character of the area.

The land has recently been licensed for grazing horses.

Contributors at the meeting made it quite clear that the actions of the Diocese are not supported by St Bridget’s Church.

Indeed the Diocese would appear to have either a disregard for, or ignorance of, the local conditions.

One speaker pointed out what is obvious to anyone familiar with the area: Rectory Road is a charming but narrow lane that is seriously congested twice a day by parents dropping children at the school; and similarly busy at other times through church services and events held in Ashton Park.

To run a business on this site, with all of the associated access for health professionals, emergency services and visitors, would seriously aggravate already existing problems.

Jonathan Thorpe by email.