A controversial plan for homes on an historic school field is set for a crunch vote.
Birkenhead School, an independent school on Beresford Road in Oxton, Wirral, wants to sell off Noctorum Field and gain planning permission for up to 33 homes on the site. The plan, which has faced fierce local opposition, will be voted on by Wirral Council’s Planning Committee on Thursday.
The homes plan has been submitted along with a proposal to upgrade the school's existing sports hall and build an additional multi-purpose sports facility at its Bidston Road campus, featuring rooms for fitness activities, meetings and events.
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But a petition against the application, organised by the Noctorum Ridge Residents Association (NRRA), has attracted more than 1,600 signatures. Speaking last November, Carmel Nolan, NRRA co-chair, said she wanted Birkenhead School to rethink plans she claims will “destroy an historic playing field which forms the heart of a green oasis within their neighbourhood”.
Ms Nolan added: "We would be delighted if the school had a change of heart. We would be happy to work with them going forward on a green business model that can sustain and enhance our long-established and long shared green neighbourhood for the benefit of the environment and to retain children's opportunities to play outdoor sport and have designated outdoor classroom space.”
Noctorum Field is of historic interest, as it is listed by the Imperial War Museum as the site of a war memorial dedicated to the lives of former school sports players who lost their lives in the Second World War.
Commenting on the proposal last November, Paul Vicars, the school’s headmaster, said: “Birkenhead School takes its responsibility to the environment seriously. Our proposals for Noctorum Field would actually increase net-biodiversity on the site by around 19% alongside the provision of much-needed environmentally sustainable homes for local families.
“Noctorum Field, which has been underused for at least two decades, has the potential to provide Birkenhead School with a lasting legacy by unlocking substantial investment that will improve the local sports facilities and educational opportunities on offer for young people from across the Wirral.
“The school has always taken great pride in the strength of its own community and the role it plays within the wider Wirral community."
Speaking about local concerns with the plan, Mr Vicars added: "Whilst we acknowledge the strength of feeling from some of our neighbours towards Noctorum Field, hundreds of people, including parents, pupils and our alumni, both boys and girls, have expressed their support for our planning applications to Wirral Council - precisely because they are excited by the opportunities they represent for the local community.
“These opportunities include outstanding new sports facilities, especially for health-related fitness activities and netball, funds for truly transformational bursaries for local children, and significant investment in Old Parkonians and Prenton Rugby Clubs. Without the sale of Noctorum Field with planning permission for residential use, neither the net-biodiversity gain nor the investment in the future of Wirral’s young people will be realised.”
