CAMPAIGNERS are celebrating after winning a two-and-a half-year battle to save an historic Wirral playing field from being turned into a housing estate.

Birkenhead School, an independent school in Oxton wanted to sell off Noctorum Field and gain planning permission for up to 33 homes on the site. Along with its homes plan, the school said it would upgrade its existing sports hall and build an additional multi-purpose sports facility at its Bidston Road campus, featuring rooms for fitness activities, meetings and events. 

The proposal, which faced fierce local opposition was dealt a major blow earlier this year after councillors unanimously voted against it.

And this week, the Planning Inspectorate, the highest planning authority in England and Wales, dismissed an appeal lodged by the school in a bid to overturn the decision.

Wirral Globe:

How the school's new sports centre would have looked. Picture: The Birkenhead School

The Noctorum Ridge Residents' Association had campaigned to save the 115-year-old playing field from being redeveloped. Spokesperson Carmel Nolan said: "Our members are delighted that we have preserved both a playing field and the special character of this special green corner of Birkenhead.

"It is a victory for common sense, for the environment, for people power but mostly it is a gift we have retained for future generations of children who deserve the right to play and learn in outdoor spaces.

"Covid has taught us all greater respect for our outdoor spaces and we hope Birkenhead School will take this moment as a fresh opportunity to re-evaluate their options, renew their regard for much needed outdoor play and learning spaces and move forward graciously now and rethink how to make more for their pupil and business model than just money out of Noctorum Playing Field.

"NRRA members are a great bunch have brought much professional expertise and tons of goodwill to our campaign. We have saved the field, grown in neighbourliness and community spiritedness and have become an even nicer place to live as we have bonded in our shared cause.

"We owe thanks too to the 1600 plus people who signed our petition urging Wirral Borough Council to save Noctorum Playing field.

"And special thanks to our local councillors, especially George Davies who has worked with us from the beginning, to the protect green character of Noctorum and Claughton ward for all of us."

Wirral Globe:

How the new facilities would have looked. Picture: Birkenhead School

The Planning Inspectorate's final decision report says Birkenhead School's plans for the two-hectare playing field contravened both local and national planning policy frameworks which are "clear that existing open spaces, sports and recreational buildings and land, including playing fields should not be built upon unless a specified justification applies."

In making their decision, considerable weight was given by the Planning Inspectorate to The Wirral Outdoor Pitch and Sport Strategy(July 2021) which reports has been a significant increase in short fall in outdoor playing pitches" in Wirral since 2016.

Steve Foulkes, ward councillor and vice chair of planning committee: "This is a great decision by the inspector and reassures all residents that Wirral council has the policies in place to protect playing fields and open spaces as we introduce our new local plan".

Ward councillor George Davies described the decision as "A victory for local residents and common sense."

He added: "It has been a long fight but one we were determined to save this much-loved local space and we have! Lets hope the School make proper community use of this playing field in the future”

Councillor Gill Woods said: "I spoke on behalf of residents at the planning committee and like residents I am thrilled at the decision."

Speaking prior to the meeting about the school's reasons for going to the Planning Inspectorate, headmaster Paul Vicars said recently: "The proposals for Noctorum Field and the investment in a new sports hall are vital for both Birkenhead School and the wider community.

"Not only would they unlock new sporting facilities for local young people but they would also further improve access to transformational education, deliver much needed new homes outside of the green belt and increase local biodiversity."