Plans submitted to demolish WWI memorial hall in Wallasey

The memorial building situated next to St Luke’s Church on Breck Road was built in 1926 in memory of 250 soldiers from Poulton who lost their lives in the First World War.

The proposal to demolish the building has been submitted by Liverpool-based SEP Construction Services to make way for a new development of flats.

The proposal would see 33 new flats built for social housing with associated landscaping work.

Despite the building being derelict and unused, many residents have objected to the proposal.

The Memorial Hall was built after it was funded by the people of Poulton who had lost loved ones during WWI.

A bereaved mother and widow, Mary Bennet of 15 Cedar Grove, Poulton laid the foundation stone next to the memorial hall entrance which has the inscription “greater love hath no man”.

Mrs Bennett laid the foundation stone (centre)

The stone was one of two bronze tablets which displayed the names of the men who died in Poulton.

Mary lost three of her four sons during the war in France with two of them killed in the same week.

The bronze tablet at the Memorial Hall

William and John were aged 28 and 26 when they were killed in 1918, whilst her youngest son Edward (22) was listed as MIA for 12 months before finally being confirmed killed.

Wallasey resident, Andrew Barr, 61, hopes to see the building saved for repurpose.

He told the Globe: “The amount of people who died in that area of Wallasey in the First and Second World War is staggering.

“That hall is a recognition of the fallen who died and the fact that it’s going to be sold off and pulled down is scandalous.

“I don’t know why there isn’t more of an outcry just because it doesn’t have names stuck outside like a normal monument.”

Andrew who has since applied to Historical England to get the memorial hall Grade II listed, said: “It was built by the community for the people of Poulton but it’s not coming across that way now.

“Now it seems like it’s all about money and greed.”

There are currently 70 objections to the plans listed on Wirral Council’s planning application site and residents have until May 24 to submit their views.

Andrew added: “It’s just a sad site that more of Wirral’s historical buildings are getting pulled down.

“It’s been neglected it’s a shame really. I’d like to see it saved for purpose.”

To find out more about the planning application click here.