AN APPLICATION submitted by a school in West Kirby to build a sports hall on green belt land has been withdrawn.

The withdrawal comes after more than 80 objections from residents across the borough.

The proposal to build a sports hall on Anglesey Road playing fields next to West Kirby Grammar School was met with back lash from community groups who said the area was already congested and would be a dangerous location to build on.

A design and access statement listed the biggest disruptions and concerns the project could bring to residents as noise, mess, additional traffic, increased risk of health and safety issues and general disruption throughout the duration of the project.

The school stated that the 923 square metre building, which would have included storage, a classroom, toilets, and a doubling of on-site car park spaces, would be of “significant benefit to the local community” and provide “increased opportunities” for mental and physical well-being.

In a statement from West Kirby Grammar School's headteacher, Mr Simeon Clarke told the Globe that the school would be coming up with a new proposal that “meets the needs of the wider community”.

Mr Simeon said: “It remains the ambition of West Kirby Grammar School to develop a Sports Facility that is fitting to the needs of the school and its students.

“It is also intended that this facility be of significant benefit to the local community, providing increased opportunities to improve physical and mental wellbeing for local residents. 

“It was clear from the initial proposal that, despite the school's best efforts to offer a facility that would be of benefit to many including other local schools, that some local residents had concerns over the possible impact of the proposed development and, wishing to ensure that a positive relationship with the local community is maintained, the school will now be working with planners to assess ways in which more needs can be met through further developments of the proposal.

“The school will be working alongside planning experts to ensure that all concerns are evaluated and that a further proposal meets the needs of the wider community.”

To find out more about the proposal click here.