It was said the new hall will help shape the school’s place within the community
A “leading grammar school” will be getting a new sports hall after plans were given a green light by Wirral Council. West Kirby Grammar School for Girls will build a new sports hall and sixth form centre as part of the new development.
At a planning committee meeting on November 7, Hoylake councillor Max Booth said he had called it in to make sure the application was properly looked at. He said it had the potential to change the character of the area and raised similar concerns to those who objected.
An existing gymnasium will be demolished to make way for the new facilities which would have community access outside school hours. The plans have 28 people in support who said it was a “much needed addition to the school” and and would be a “vital resource for the local community.”
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However 14 people objected arguing it would be an overdevelopment and overbearing resulting in a loss of privacy, cause traffic problems, and that “community use outside school hours would be inappropriate for a residential area.”
Justin Paul from J10 Planning on behalf of the school said they had closely worked with the council and other relevant organisations to move the application forward pointing out they had no objections from them. He said it would “ensure the school’s status as a leading grammar school” and shape the school’s place in the West Kirby community in the future.
Councillors praised the application for the new facilities though concerns were raised about its look and potential to stand out in the Meols Drive area. They decided to approve the application with a minor change for the school to work with the council to include more greenery to help shield the new development better.
At the meeting, a lawful development certificate was also awarded for a new children’s home in Moreton despite concerns being raised by ward councillor Angela Davies as well as a petition of 199 people. While councillors said they understood people’s concerns, they decided there was no planning reason to refuse the application and it was argued the structure of the home with two adults and four children would be no different from a typical family.
Councillors also decided to conditionally approve plans for a new refurbished sports club in Bromborough Pool arguing the positives could outweigh any negatives caused by a potential car park subject to a number of things being agreed. The application had been recommended for refusal by officers but called in by Bromborough councillor Jo Bird.
It is linked to an application for homes on the former Octel Sports club. However officers said this link was not a consideration for councillors and the council has already indicated it would reject the Octel Sports club plans.
