Plans to build 33 new homes on a disused sports field in Birkenhead have been rejected. The field, described as “a quiet oasis in the middle of Birkenhead,” will not be developed.
Birkenhead School submitted the plans for the second time, aiming to build on a former sports field off Noctorum Lane. This new application was similar to a previous one that Wirral Council had rejected. The revised plan included a larger contribution to local sports facilities. Despite these changes, the Planning Inspectorate sided with the council, stating that the plans did not adequately offset the loss of the sports field.
The proposal faced strong opposition in Noctorum, where 850 people signed a petition from the Noctorum Ridge Residents Association (NRRA). A previous petition against an earlier application had garnered over 1,600 signatures.
Supporters of the plan, including members of Prenton RUFC, favored the development because it promised investment in new sports facilities. These improvements would have included a new building with a public gym and café, better drainage, new floodlit pitches, and a new sports hall at Birkenhead School.
However, on August 16, the Planning Inspectorate rejected the plans. The Inspector’s decision stated, “While there are some benefits to the scheme, they do not outweigh the harm related to the loss of playing fields in Wirral. The proposal conflicts with the development plan and does not represent sustainable development.”
Wirral Council had initially refused the application for several reasons, although the issue of green space was no longer a factor after a related appeal in Grange Road. The main concern was whether the lost playing field would be replaced with an equivalent or better option elsewhere.
The Planning Inspectorate noted that there was no evidence suggesting that the Noctorum pitch could not be used again in the future, while pitches at Prenton were usable in the summer. Inspector Siobhan Watson commented, “Given the deficit of playing fields in Wirral, there is no reason why the Noctorum field could not be brought back into use and maintained as it was before.”
The government’s new housing targets, announced in July, could see more than 1,700 homes built annually on Wirral. However, these targets are still under review and not yet policy. If approved, they could lead to new planning proposals that might revisit this site.
Following the decision, Birkenhead School expressed disappointment. School bursar Mark Turner stated, “This is a real opportunity lost for Wirral. Birkenhead School has a long history of working with local community groups, and this was an opportunity to benefit at least three communities.”
Turner added that the Inspector’s decision recognized the potential benefits to local clubs and acknowledged that the development would not negatively impact highway safety, drainage, or biodiversity. Despite this, the proposed benefits now appear to be lost.
Wirral Council welcomed the decision. Council leader Cllr Paul Stuart said, “We are pleased that the Planning Inspectorate has upheld our decision to refuse the application. The proposal would have resulted in the demolition of a sports pavilion and pitches used for rugby and cricket. The council, supported by Sport England, defended the decision vigorously during the five-day public inquiry. The Inspector’s conclusion supports our stance that the proposed homes would harm the provision of playing fields in Wirral.”
