Knotty Ash eco centre

Knotty Ash haven is to become an eco centre

Feb 16 2008 by David Bartlett, Liverpool Daily Post

A NATURE haven in a Liverpool suburb is to be converted into an outdoor eco centre after its future was safeguarded yesterday.

Liverpool City Council agreed to hand over the Thingwall House site in Thomas Lane, Knotty Ash to the Liverpool Lighthouse, a Christian personal development charity.

The Knotty Ash Nature Park Trust will now be set up to take care of the five-acre site, which is close to comedy legend Ken Dodd’s house.

The self-styled Squire of Knotty Ash and his partner Anne Jones will be patrons of the trust.

They have campaigned with local activists to bring the site back into use for years.

Liverpool Lighthouse now hopes to open the park to the public from September to December this year before an educational eco centre is built on the site.

The plans are also to redevelop the lodge which is currently occupied by a tenant into an eco house and visitor centre.

An amphitheatre to seat 200 people has also been proposed for the site.

The park is expected to close to the public in January next year for the work to take place, before a re-opening in July 2009.

About £1m is needed to fund the scheme and Liverpool Lighthouse is expected to take on a consultant to raise the money.

Last night Dr Tani Omideyi, chairman of Liverpool Lighthouse, said “We are excited and honoured that the council has trusted us with the task of developing such a project on behalf of the people of Knotty Ash and the city.

“The atmosphere in the park is unbelievable, so peaceful. It will be a fantastic resource when completed in 2009, a local park with a difference. It will of course be a challenge.”

Brill.About time some money went to something decent:PDT11

are they gonna fill in the jam butty mines, dickie mint would be the man to see once he's attended to the treacle wells