Liverpool Parks and Grounds

'Restoration' victory for park villa campaigners

COMMUNITIES Minister Ruth Kelly is to force the sale of a row of derelict Victorian villas next to a historic park, against the wishes of Liverpool council.

In one of her first decisions since replacing John Prescott as the minister responsible for housing and planning, Ms Kelly has served notice on Liverpool City Council, meaning it could be forced to sell off the houses.

A letter to residents from then chief executive Sir David Henshaw stated the council had wanted to demolish the villas with money from Mr Prescott's New Heartlands programme.

Residents in Newsham Park had been campaigning to restore the large empty properties owned by the council and housing associations around the Grade II-listed green space.

Jonathan Brown, of Friends of Newsham Park, said the ruling could give hope to communities where publicly-owned land is left in derelict condition.

Residents said the council and housing association's failure to invest in upkeep is holding the area back in the middle of a housing boom.

Mr Brown had uncovered a piece of 1980s Thatcherite legislation known as a Public Request to Order Disposal.

It forces publicly-owned land that is harming the amenity of an area to be sold off to private developers.

This weekend he received a letter saying the new Communities and Local Government Secretary is "minded to agree" to his request, and has given the council notice that she proposes a direction "requiring them to take steps for the disposal of their interest in the land".

It means the council has 42 days to explain why it should keep the land before it is sold.

In a letter to the city solicitor, the Government Office for the North West's Director of Planning Jo Lappin says: "It appears that the land is not being used by the city council for the performance of their functions."

It says Ms Kelly "is not so far satisfied that the city council has any firm plans to sell, develop or bring the land into use within a reasonable timescale."

Mr Brown said "The council and housing associations admit that they have no plans to invest in any of these homes until after 2010. This decade of dereliction is far too long to wait when public property is left in such dangerous condition, blighting a beautiful conservation area.

"The Victorian villas deserve to be restored to help solve the city's housing crisis, and the money from sales 'ring-fenced' to invest back in the neglected historic park." The Friends of Newsham Park have already successfully pressed the council and social landlord Riverside Housing to sell two derelict villas on Judges Drive for £320,000.

Liberal Party councillor Steve Radford last night said: "We are really chuffed. We have been trying to convince the city council to sell or renovate empty council properties in Judges Drive as far back as 1998."

The city and housing association-owned homes around Prescot Drive have been a magnet for anti-social behaviour.

The Daily Post revealed that pupils at the flagship new joint faith Kensington Academy were being chaperoned to and from school after fears the area had become a vice zone.

Last night, a spokesman for Liverpool City Council said: "We have established a working group looking at bringing forward development proposals for the Newsham Park area in order to improve the quality of life.

"The working group is chaired by a local councillor and two of the registered social landlords who own properties in the are also actively involved in helping draw up plans."

adrianbutler@liverpool.com

It's a disgrace that the council are letting these houses rot away because this place is meant to be a "conservation area" can you believe that? Todays ruling is brilliant so I hope this forces them to renovate them,a house along there is where the captain of the "Titanic" lived! can you believe we're not exploiting this,it's criminal.

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Originally Posted by Paul D

It's a disgrace that the council are letting these houses rot away because this place is meant to be a "conservation area" can you believe that? Todays ruling is brilliant so I hope this forces them to renovate them,a house along there is where the captain of the "Titanic" lived! can you believe we're not exploiting this,it's criminal.

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I never knew that :PDT_Piratz_26:

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Originally Posted by Kev

I never knew that :PDT_Piratz_26:

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Could you imagine the Americans not exploiting such an asset,there's should be a "Blue Plaque" on that house and it should be part of a tourist trail,the Titanic is legendary and people would come here for something like that if it was capitalised on,we're so slow to take advantage of things sometimes.:disgust:

The park was one of the first Victorian Parks in Liverpool and was based on designs by Edward Kemp. An aviary was built to house exotic birds but was demolished in the 1930’s, the birds then housed in Sefton Park. There was also a band stand, a boating lake, a fishing lake and five fountains. Newsham Park was used for a lot of sporting events, and there were three bowling greens, two of which still remain. The park has two listed buildings in it, Newsham House and the Seaman's Orphanage.

Liverpool Seamen's Orphan Institution, Newsham Park

Newsham House was built at the end of the 18th century by Thomas Molyneaux. In 1868, it was bought by Liverpool Corporation for £80,000 to become the lodgings for judges in Liverpool.

Queen Victoria and her entourage stayed there on their last visit to Liverpool in 1886. The house was refurbished for her visit and was lit by electric lights. Other visitors to Newsham House included Princess Beatrice in 1886, the Duke of Connaught in 1892 and the Duke and Duchess of York in 1893. The house is still in use as judges' lodgings.

Buffalo Bill also brought his show to the park,more about that below.

http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/e...name_page.html

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Originally Posted by Kev

I never knew that :PDT_Piratz_26:

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I didn't either !

Of course, there should be a Blue Plaque, and as Paul has said - why are we so slow on the uptake !! :shock:

The Americans certainly would promote such a thing.

Those houses surrounding Newsham Park are lovely - like the ones by Sefton Park.

Plans have been unveiled to regenerate a key landmark on Liverpool`s waterfront in time for the capital of culture in 2008.

The city council is considering proposals costing £1.4m to rejuvenate Otterspool Park and Promenade.

The plans aim to make the park and prom a top class destination for local people and tourists.

They include developing the site so it can stage open air performances in the Capital of Culture year 2008.

A new park entrance would be built at Jericho Lane with a new play and fitness area, picnic tables and improved road surfaces.

The scheme will be paid for by the Mersey Waterfront organisation and European cash.

Liverpool council will discuss the plans at an executive board meeting on 16 June.

:celb (23):

source

At last, someone has seen sense, the Garden Festival site should also be given to the people of Liverpool and revamped for people to enjoy along with the Prom.

I think the mixed use plan is a good idea for the GF site with the restoraion of the main park area and a bit of new housing too.

The Council should be ashamed that such a prime site hasnt been touched since 1985 was it? :rolleyes: I would love to see some pics, someone get exploring.

When Otterpool looks good I'll jog aroundit to celebrate.:Colorz_Grey_PDT_16:

The first phase of the work, part of the Pride in Our Promenades project, will see the site developed as a major venue for open air performances in 2008 when Liverpool celebrates European Capital of Culture.

The plans include restoring the historic "otters plaque" seating area at the heart of the site, a brand new, welcoming park entrance at Jericho Lane would be created and there would be new play and fitness equipment, new picnic tables, and upgrades to path and road surfaces.

Cllr Berni Turner, executive member for Environment and Heritage, said: "Otterspool park and promenade is a hugely important part of our waterfront, a superb green waterside resource offering, arguably, the best view of the upper estuary.

"These improvements will bring thousands more people to the park, provide a wonderful festival and performance space and create a stretch of shoreline which Liverpool people can be proud of.

" Our ultimate aim is to bring the park and promenade up to Green Flag standard by 2008, and this project will help us do this."

Otterspool Park is hosting a number of open-air performances this year as part of the Liverpool

Performs 2006 celebrations, including the popular Theatre in the Park event.

Cllr Peter Millea, Executive Member for Regeneration, said: "This is fantastic news. These improvements would make the park an even more vibrant, attractive place."

This is brilliant news it's about time,I was just thinking the other week what a great place it would be to put a load of picnic tables.All of those seats along the promenade need replacing,what a stunning vista we have at Otterspool.:celb (23):

RE: Newsham Park Area

NEWSHAM Park Hospital could finally be restored after a pledge by its owner.

New proposals are being drawn up for the regeneration of the derelict landmark.

Two newbuildings could also be created on the site.

The development will include family accommodation and affordable housing.

John McKenzie, of Gateway Properties, told yesterday's Stop the Rot meeting he was sorry the hospital had been left decaying.

He said: "I apologise over what's happened. We were going to pass it on to another developer, but that didn't happen.

"I was working abroad, but now I'm spending 100% of my time in the UK, and we've decided to do it ourselves."

What a beautiful building that is its about time that happened,I want to see concrete plans though before I get too excited.

Thousands are expected to watch some of the most famous faces of tennis battle it out at Liverpool's 6 day International tennis Tournament.

This tournament, now in its 5th year, will see local qualifiers play alongside some of the biggest names in tennis, showcasing the tennis talent the region has to offer.

Tennis In Pictures

Day one included play from twenty year old Gemma Bisson from Childwall and local Allerton lad Ken Skupski who beat Argentina's Agustin Calleri in a thrilling match.

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Xavier Malisse in action

Vetertan tennis stars Mansour Bahrami, Ilie Nastase, Peter McNamara and Henri Leconte kept the crowds entertained with the Legends Doubles match with play returning to a serious game as Belgium's number 2 Xavier Malisse and Scotland's Jamie Murray, brother of Britain's top seed Andy Murray, took to centre court.

The match had to be abandoned however as referee Alan Mills was forced to suspend play and cover the court as the rain started.

The tournament runs until Sunday and Thursday and will see other famous faces including Wimbledon star Pat Cash and Goran Ivanisevic as they clash on Thursday in what promises to be an exciting match.

Schedules have been altered to accommodate the abandoned games from day one. For up to date play schedules and ticket information visit the tournament website. Liverpool Tennis Website


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