PLANS for 33 new homes in Birkenhead have been thrown out over the loss of a disused sports field which has been described as “a quiet oasis in the middle of Birkenhead.”

The plans had been put forward by Birkenhead School for the second time.

The new homes are largely the same as a previous application for a former sports field off Noctorum Lane which was rejected by Wirral Council but with a greater contribution towards local sports facilities. However, the Planning Inspectorate, which reviewed a second decision to reject the plans, sided with the council again, arguing not enough had been done to offset the loss of the sports facilities.

The plans have divided opinion. In Noctorum, they were heavily criticised with 850 people signing a petition by the Noctorum Ridge Residents Association (NRRA) against the current plans. More than 1,600 people signed a petition against the previous application.

However, over at Prenton RUFC, there’s widespread support as money from the development would be invested into new facilities there. This could have seen a new building developed on the site with a public gym and café, better drainage and new floodlit pitches as well as a new sports hall at Birkenhead School.

However, the Planning Inspectorate, in a decision issued on August 16, rejected the plans, adding: “Whilst there are some benefits to the scheme these do not outweigh the harm I have found in relation to playing field provision in Wirral. The proposal therefore conflicts with the development plan as a whole and does not represent sustainable development.”

The application had been refused by Wirral Council for a number of reasons though the issue of it being a green space was dropped by the local authority after it lost an appeal in Grange Road over a similar issue. However, one of the main issues was whether the lost playing field would be replaced by the equivalent or better options elsewhere.

In its decision, the Planning Inspectorate said there was no evidence the pitch at Noctorum couldn’t be used in the future as a playing field while pitches at Prenton were usable in the summer. In her decision, Siobhan Watson said: “As there is a deficit of playing fields in Wirral there is no obvious reason before me why it could not be brought back into use and maintained by a user as it was for generations before.”

While the government announced new proposed housing targets which could see more than 1,700 homes built every year on Wirral in July, the Planning Inspectorate said it was subject to feedback and wasn’t yet policy. However, if approved by Parliament, it would lead to the immediate preparation of a new plan which could see the plans brought forward again to meet housing need.

Following the decision, Birkenhead School said they will review it carefully. School bursar Mark Turner said: “This is a real opportunity lost for Wirral,” adding: “Birkenhead School has a long track record of working with local community groups and this was an opportunity to make a real difference across at least three communities.

“The Inspector’s decision noted the potential benefits to two community clubs, recognised there is currently no prospect of Noctorum Field’s use, and that it’s development would have no detrimental impact on highway safety, drainage or biodiversity. Notwithstanding this, the opportunity to achieve the proposed benefits now, sadly, appears foregone with this decision.”

However, the decision has been welcomed by Wirral Council. Wirral Council leader Cllr Paul Stuart, said: “We are pleased that the appeal made by Birkenhead School to overturn the decision to refuse a planning application to build 33 homes on a sports ground has been dismissed by the Planning Inspectorate.

“The proposal included demolition of a sports pavilion and pitches which have been used for rugby and cricket. The council, with Sport England, defended the decision to refuse the planning application under the intense scrutiny of a five-day public inquiry, which included extensive cross-examination by the appellant’s Barrister.

“The council’s planners successfully defended the council’s position. In dismissing the appeal, the Inspector is clear in her conclusion that the proposal to build the 33 houses would cause harm to the provision of playing fields in Wirral.”