A LONDON PR company which specialises in winning over local people in cases of controversial planning applications has been put in charge of a one-day-only public consultation over plans to build over Sefton Park Meadowlands.
Public affairs heavyweight Lexington Communications has been drafted in for tomorrow's event by housebuilder Redrow which has been named as the preferred developer of the land which is being sold by the council for “executive homes”.
The event, which will include an exhibition of its plans, takes place tomorrow, September 16 event runs between 2pm and 7pm at Greenbank Sports Centre in Greenbank Lane, Sefton Park.
Opponents of the plan, which they say will “destroy a treasured meadowland in Sefton Park” were not comforted by the messages on Lexington’s website, fearing a slick PR operation to engage locals will be seen as an enemy at the park door. They described the event as a "box ticking exercise" to earn brownie points with the Government, should it decide to call the scheme in for scrutiny.
This is what Lexington boasts on its website: “Lexington helps businesses working in property and infrastructure to win planning consent and secure supportive local plan policies. Those in the sector know that identifying, establishing and demonstrating local support has always been important.
"We also advise some of the biggest companies in the sector on influencing national government policy and the political decisions which affect their business strategy, bottom line, and the progress of major projects.
"This track record of success includes some of the most controversial projects and promoting the case for business investment.”
Redrow promised a public consultation exercise after the company, owned by Garston born multi-millionaire Steve Morgan, was named by Mayor Joe Anderson as the builder of choice on the land which is described by the council as “incidental open space”.
“We see our task as opponents of the scheme in influencing the planning officers and bodies such as English Heritage, and also the planning committee.
“However the danger is the planning committee being influenced by the wishes of the Mayor, even though that shouldn’t happen. I think everyone knows what the mayor wants, you are a member of the mayor’s party.
Cllr Coyne said he was not surprised Redrow had hired a PR firm like Lexington to carry out the exercise, and campaigners are under no illusions about the Meadowlands issue.
“There is a risk the government will call in this scheme if the planning committee gives its approval, as in our view it goes against the council’s own local planning policy for maintaining green spaces."
He added: "Despite the fact almost everyone in Liverpool knows the site as Sefton Park Meadows, Redrow is currently promoting the site as land in Park Avenue. This is despite the perimeter roads of the site being Mossley Hill Drive, Queens Drive and Aigburth Vale. Park Avenue merely dissects the Meadow into two parts."
Redrow has a website which will allow people to learn about the scheme and comment, for or against, until September 23.
