CONSULTATION is getting under way today over a new plan to rebuild St Julie’s Catholic High School in Liverpool.
An original plan to move the Woolton girls school from its existing site on Speke Road to Beaconsfield Road, caused uproar in the village. It was withdrawn in June following concerns from residents over traffic.
Now an alternative proposal has been drawn up which would see the school building built partially on the existing site and partially on a small part of a neighbouring site which the council is calling ‘High Street field’ on High Street in Woolton.
The woodland that adjoins the site would be unaffected, says the council, and it is proposed that there will be investment in the field to improve footpaths to Woolton Woods, and recreational facilities for local sporting and leisure groups that use the area. There will be no change to vehicular access to the school site.
Woolton High Street
A drop in event is being held at St Julie’s on Speke Road today, July 18, from 4pm-7pm for local people, parents and pupils to look at a number of different options. There is another in September.
The council says the comments and feedback will be reviewed and considered, and developed into a "preferred proposal".
Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson said: “We are committed to holding genuine and meaningful consultation, which is why we have come up with this alternative proposal.
“We have simply got to find a new site for the school as there is no way it can be rebuilt completely on its existing site and a move to another building temporarily would not be practical for pupils and cost too much.
“We are working with the school and local residents to come up with a workable solution, and I appeal to the local community to come along, see the facts about what we are proposing and work with us to come up with a fantastic new facility which will benefit generations of young people and the local community as well.”
Headteacher of St Julie’s, Tim Alderman, said: “Providing a 21st century learning environment that includes the latest technology as well as cutting edge resources is becoming increasingly difficult and expensive in our current school building.
“We are all really excited at the prospect of working with the city council to deliver a school so close to our existing site that will deliver real benefits for the local community.”
A complete rebuild on the existing St Julie’s site is not considered feasible due to the tight site constraints, disruption to pupils during construction as they would require temporary accommodation, and the prohibitive cost.
The project is part of the Liverpool Schools Investment Programme, which will see at least 12 new schools built. It was devised as a rescue package following the scrapping of Wave Six of Liverpool’s Building Schools for the Future (BSF) project, and is one of the Mayor’s key pledges.
If you go down to the woods tomorow - be sure of a protest picnic
Simon O'BrienWoolton Woods/Camphill is the venue this Saturday (19th July) for a protest picnic, organised by ex Brookie actor Simon O'Brien.
He and other local residents are against the proposal to build on "High Street Field" which they describe as a much loved green space but which the council say is underused.
A mass photo fun day and picnic comes under the auspices of the Save Woolton Woods steering group. O'Brien said: "This event is a great opportunity to show the council that this green space means so much to locals and the people in surrounding areas and that it is well used by everyone including myself and my family".
Mirna Juarez, a nearby resident and former Lib Dem city councillor, described the Mayor's proposals as "mean and nasty".
"Children as young as seven are painting posters to alert their friends about the threat to Woolton Woods," she said.
