Half Baked Plan

It seems that there are several inconsistencies around how the council are planning to dispose of the green land at Sefton Park Meadows.

1. The Council's proposal clearly says that they want to sell the land for housing and yet they haven't done any of the investigations - like an environmental assessment - that would be needed before planning permission can be granted. However Councillor Malcolm Kennedy is telling people "In my view and at this time there does not appear to be any planning reason for the consent to be withheld" He should know - he's on the planning committee.

The worry is that senior Councillors have already decided to give planning permission before making the necessary investigations.

2. The council is saying that "This proposal is a potential means to raise resources which can be primarily aimed at investing in the park. Otherwise given the current financial constraints the park itself is likely to decline." But they have not put any such proposal to the Sefton Park Forum - which is the council's own committee to oversee the park. It is clear that they thought of this after they decided to sell off our green land.

The good news is that I have received a supportive email from Councillor Patrick Hurley (Labour) from Mossley Hill Ward.

We need to keep the pressure up.

Please write again to Councillor Malcolm.kennedy@Liverpool.gov.uk and mayor@liverpool.gov.uk

Also write to your own Councillors.

Councillor Malcolm Kennedy has written to say..

1. That they don't need an environmental impact assessment for a sale. You need that when planning permission is considered.

2. The money for the sale will be used to make improvements to the park.

My response is...

1. If environmental considerations are not to be taken into account until planning permission is considered, Why are they clearly saying that the plan is to sell the land for housing? You will obviously get a higher price is there is a high probability that planning permission will be given. The people of Liverpool would be excused for thinking that you are planning to sell off important assets without investigating what proper safe guards should be in place. You should either have a full environmental impact assessment before the sale, or remove any mention of selling for housing from the proposal. Ideally of course you should reject the proposal altogether.

2.  It seems from you reply that the plan to sell of these green fields is linked to some other spending plans, indeed this was mentioned in the Echo yesterday. It is very odd that this plan has not been mentioned within the proposal. Please will you publish the plans so that the citizens of Liverpool can evaluate the merits of the case.

Take Action

We only have a few weeks to save Sefton Park Meadows.

The worst case scenario is that the sale of the land is agreed by the Cabinet on Friday 22nd.

Greenbank ward councillors have the power to delay this by 'calling in the agenda item'. This means that the issue goes to the Regeneration Special Committee for discussion on 5th April.

The key people to influence are Malcolm Kennedy who is in the Cabinet and responsible for Regeneration.

Email Malcolm at malcolm.kennedy@liverpool.gov.uk

Also Mayor Joe Anderson, mayor@liverpool.gov.uk

It is also worth emailling your own councillors. There are 3 councillors in each ward and you can find the contact information - and email addresses at http://councillors.liverpool.gov.uk/mgMemberIndex.aspx?

Please email today. Time is short.

Please copy me (Martin Dobson) in with any responses saveseftonparkmeadows@gmail.com


Thanks

They want to use the money to build a stage

Liverpool Echo Post 19 March

Land sell-off close to Liverpool’s Sefton Park would pay for outdoor stage

Read more: Liverpool Echo http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2013/03/19/land-sell-off-close-to-liverpool-s-sefton-park-would-pay-for-outdoor-stage-100252-33016288/2/#sitelife-commentsWidget-bottom#ixzz2Nymp7znZ

Save Sefton Park Meadows

This blog is to provide information about the campaign to Save Sefton Park Meadows.

Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson is recommending that Liverpool City Council sells off a rare piece of Green land near to Liverpool City Centre to a developer for luxury Housing.

The land known as Sefton Park Meadows comprises of 2 fields bounded by trees adjacent to the end of Queens Drive, Park Avenue,  Mossley Hill Drive and Carnatic Road. See Map and Satellite image.

The plans were announced as an agenda item to be discussed by Liverpool City Council Cabinet on Friday 22nd March 2013. The agenda was published on March 14th. The Cabinet could agree to go ahead with the sale if one of Greenbank Councillors does not call the item in - in which case it will go to the Regeneration Select Committee meeting on 5th April 2013.

Cabinet meeting is here: http://councillors.liverpool.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=1201&MId=12694

And the report is here:
http://councillors.liverpool.gov.uk/documents/s117333/R31%20-%20Land%20at%20Park%20Avenue.pdf
http://councillors.liverpool.gov.uk/documents/s117334/R31%20-%20Appendix%201.pdf

It is important to protest against the sale of this land before it is too late.