Sefton Park Meadowlands sale moves closer

THE controversial sale of Sefton Park’s Meadowlands has moved a step closer with the publication of a formal notice announcing the disposal of the site. 

The city council has placed an ad in the weekly Liverpool Post in the classified section as a legal notice - a necessary move before the sale can go ahead. 

Despite a petition signed by thousands of people and gaining momentum, Mayor Joe Anderson seems determined to press ahead with the sale, earmarked for executive housing. 

Although many people see the Meadowlands as a part of Sefton Park, the advert again describes it as a six-acre site of ‘incidental open space’ in Park Avenue, Liverpool 18. 

'Incedental open space'

The mayor, grappling with government cutbacks, says the sale of the site will generate millions of pounds and provide an attractive location for upmarket, executive-style housing in the city. 

Campaigners claim describing as the tree-land slice of parkland as "incidental open space" disguises its importance as a key part of Sefton Park. 

Park user and campaigner Paul Slater is lodging an official objection to the sale in response to the public notice. 

He said: "Like many legal notices, the proposed sale of the Meadowlands was detailed in tiny print at the back of a newspaper. I just hope enough people get to hear about it and respond if they feel passionate about this lovely area of the park. 

"Far from being 'incidental open space' the Meadowlands is identified as Greenspace in the council's own Local Development Plan, and is part of the Sefton Park Conservation Area.

Apart from that, it has been treated, and used, as a recreation and amenity facility by residents and visitors to the park for many years. You only have to stand there to grasp that the openess of the site contributes greatly to the character of the Sefton Park Conservation Area, with the open grassland contrasting with, and helping to complement, the wooded part of Sefton Park across Mossley Hill Drive. 

"It's also a recognised wildlife corridor, linking Sefton Park with other nearby green spaces. Its attractiveness greatly enhances this part of Sefton Park." 

Opponents also question the need for housing, citing council documents showing there are over 14,000 empty properties in Liverpool and 460 hectares of derelict land, with 15,000 new dwellings either under construction, or for which planning permission has already been given. 

Added Mr Slater: "The city council should adhere to its own environmental and planning policies.  If followed properly, the policies within these state that there should be a strong presumption against developing sites like the Meadowlands, and that they should be retained as open space. I urge as many people as possible to respond to the public notice - don't assume others will do this. We want the council to see the strong depth of feeling."