Row over Newsham Park plan

Feb 25 2008 by Catherine Jones, Liverpool Echo

A ROW is brewing over plans to site sports changing rooms on an historic park bowling green.

Newsham Park supporters said they do not want the temporary buildings on the Victorian green.

They fear the proposals could affect a proposed Heritage Lottery Fund bid.

They want to revamp the 140-year-old park in the same way Sefton Park is being restored.

But Liverpool council said today there would be a full consultation over the scheme which needs planning permission before it can be implemented.

And it pledged the buildings would only be temporary and moved as soon as work is completed on rebuilding local schools.

Jonathan Brown, of the Friends of Newsham Park, dubbed the building “crude” and said it showed “no respect for the historic character of the listed park”.

He added: “We’d like to restore the bowling greens at some point rather than have temporary changing rooms on them.”

Kensington and Fairfield Labour Cllr Louise Baldock said she was keen for the park to be used for activities including sport, but was concerned the “prefab” plans were not in keeping with its Conservation Area status.

Liberal councillor Steve Radford said neighbouring Tuebrook councillors had also objected to the plan which he likened to “a giant toilet block”.

But a Liverpool council spokeswoman said: “The planning application was presented at the Newsham Park Forum and we received a lot of feedback which will be considered as part of the consultation work.

“It’s important to note the changing rooms will only be in place for two years.

“And their high quality structure will make sure they’re in keeping with the park.”

catherinejones@liverpoolecho.co.uk

Bootle line may open for Liverpool FC stadium

Feb 22 2008 by Vicki Kellaway, Liverpool Echo

PLANS to reopen an old railway line to ferry fans to Liverpool FC’s proposed new stadium have taken a step forward.

Reds’ top brass and transport chiefs travelled on the old Bootle branch line to see where a new Anfield station could be built.

Residents have called for the line, now used only for freight, to be refurbished to give supporters a transport option if a new ground is built on Stanley Park.

Anfield presently holds about 45,000 fans, but the Reds hope its replacement could eventually host as many as 70,000, sparking fears of traffic congestion nearby.

Rick Parry, Liverpool’s chief executive, and Merseytravel officials have confirmed reopening the branch line was a possibility.

They took a one-off journey along the line, leaving from Lime Street, on Wednesday.

Mr Parry said: “It is vital to explore how it could contribute to north Liverpool’s regeneration.

“Getting so many people to see it first hand was an important first step.”

Merseytravel chief executive Neil Scales said every option needed to be explored in detail, including the project’s funding.

He said: “We are serious about making this work. This will be key for the club, but it is also about how we can better support north Liverpool.”

Tuebrook’s Liberal councillor Steve Radford, who has campaigned for the branch line to be reopened, said: “This could regenerate the entire area.

“It would remove the need to travel by car, making north Liverpool much more attractive to professionals who need trains to commute.”

Possible locations for a new Anfield station include Utting Avenue, near The Clarence pub; Townsend Lane, near Pinehurst Avenue; and close to Anfield cemetery, near the junction of Cherry Avenue and Stanley Park Avenue.

Cllr Radford said: “I think most people thought The Clarence pub option was most favourable.

“If I was a betting man, that is the one I think they would choose.”

He said it would be “disappointing” if the passenger line was only opened for football matches or if just one new station was built.

He added: “We have already considered other locations, including behind Tuebrook market, which would be ideal with the bus and potential tram links on West Derby Road.”

vickikellaway@liverpoolecho.co.uk