Wetherspoons - 1-5 The Mount
The Society wishes to draw particular attention to a current planning application by Wetherspoons for 1-5 The Mount (pictured - formerly ‘The Exchange’). To view the application, Click Here.
This is a revision of the previously approved design submitted by Wetherspoons in which the beer garden at the side has been replaced by an extension which extends the façade facing the street, including bi-fold doors opening on to the narrow open seating area between the extension and the pavement on the Mount. The Society has a number of concerns but in particular, the application includes yet another attempt to extend licencing hours to 8am till 1am on Saturdays and 8am till midnight on all other days. These hours exceed those that have been tested previously by multiple previous applications and appeals, including a recent refused application by Wetherspoons. The Society will be objecting to the extended hours and will be seeking other restrictions on use of the extended area in the interest of nearby residents. Planning Reports
The latest monthly list of planning applications/appeals identified by the Planning Group or brought to their attention can now be viewed in the Planning section. Please note that these lists are regularly updated so it's worthwhile re-visiting them.
In order to keep members up to date with the work of the Society’s Planning Group in monitoring planning applications and taking action when necessary, the same monthly list of Planning applications together with monthly Planning Reports prepared for the Society's Committee by the Society’s Planning Group are now published within the Member’s Area. Friends of Whitfield Common
Friends of Whitfield Common is a newly formed friends group whose aim is to make Whitfield Common an interesting place for people of all ages. Their ambitions include renewing the tennis courts, making a Five a Side football pitch, possibly extending the cycle area as well as cleaning up and use of the existing building, provided they can secure Council support. They are full of ideas for future projects with local community, schools, scouts etc but they need support and will welcome anyone with energy, ideas and some time. In due course they will also need a chairman and board of trustees.
Cllr Andrew Hodson is co-ordinating names of those who would like to join in so please email andrewhodson@wirral.gov.uk if you would like to help in any way. Unfortunately, it was necessary to postpone a Litter Pick/Tidy Up event that was scheduled for Saturday 7 November in view of the Council's decision, in line with Government guidance, to suspend all volunteer activities in parks for the time being. Heswall in Bloom
The bed by the Catholic Church has now been planted out with shrubs. These are mainly perennials and together with the bark chippings, it is hoped to keep the weeds down and minimise maintenance requirements. Concrete bases for the benches to be sited beside this bed have now been installed. The Rotary Club of West Wirral and a member from the Catholic Church will be covering the costs. Winter planting of the flower beds and planters was also successfully and safely completed in November.
The estimated planting costs for the current year (summer and winter plantings) is £2000. This is based on the amount spent in 2020, but includes an approximate extra 10% increase. While current funds will partially cover this cost, it is not appropriate to ask our struggling local businesses for funding due to the current pandemic, and it is doubtful whether our councillors will be able to support us. We will therefore be relying on resident donations to boost these funds. If you can help, please forward donations, clearly marked for Heswall in Bloom, to Chairman, The Heswall Society, c/o Heswall Hall, 111 Telegraph Road, Wirral CH60 0AF. Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LJLA)
LJLA have just finished a public consultation on airspace transition. The consultation is a result of the airport changing from ground to GPRS satellite navigation for take-off and landing.
An investigation of the proposal by the Society indicated no real changes involving Heswall, at least in the short term, as the document contained no proposal to increase the amount of air traffic. It is believed that what these changes would result in, however, is that the approach to runway 09 (which is over Heswall) would result in further narrowing of the flight path. For this reason, and since all of the options involve this same approach when runway 9 is being used, the Society submitted an objection to the proposal. Arguments used were exactly the same as used in the Society’s earlier comments to the LJLA master Plan in 2017, namely - LJLA should maximise aircraft approach/landing along the Mersey. If flying over Wirral is necessary then the width of corridors should be as wide as possible to minimise disruption for any households. Flights should be better spread out during the day and there should be no flights during the night. **CORONAVIRUS**
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Meetings
Sadly, Coronavirus restrictions have necessitated suspension of face-to-face meetings. Instead, the Society has successfully resorted to video conferencing on the Zoom platform. After the success of the delayed AGM held in November, an Open Meeting was held by Zoom in January, to hear a talk by Professor Iain Jackson, on the work of the outstanding architect Herbert Rowse attracting a remarkable attendance of 80 people.
It is recognised that video conferencing is neither attractive nor practical for some members, and this we very much regret. However, these are exceptional times and your Committee feels that this is the best way to at least try and deliver some meeting benefit to members. The next virtual meeting is on 24 March 2021 when the Daniel Adamson Preservation Society Talks Team will give a talk on ‘The Story of the Manchester Ship Canal’. This will be preceded by a short 2021 AGM. Although only four months from the last AGM, we are keen to revert to our usual timing. Details on the Events page. The Society is working closely with Heswall Hall to develop meeting safety protocols that will allow us to start our face-to-face Open Meetings again. We are hoping that we’ll be able to hold the first in November. Cherry Cottage, Wall Rake
The Heswall Society has long been concerned about the old sandstone wall in front of Cherry Cottage in Wall Rake. The planning permission to rebuild this property permitted part of the wall to be temporarily removed to aid construction, but it was required to be fully restored when construction was completed.
Planning applications were then submitted to seek approval to move the entrance to the front of the property from its original position on the side road , meaning that the continuous sandstone wall at the front would now be permanently breached. The Society strongly objected to this as it would have a negative impact on this part of the Lower Heswall Conservation area in which continuous sandstone walls are such an important heritage feature. For 18 months the council failed to respond to these applications whilst construction continued, which is surprising as agreement on the access was a condition of the original approval before work could start on the site. Under increasing pressure from the Society to make a decision, the council has now decided that removal of the wall does no harm to the Conservation Area and approved the new access. We would like to know your views. Join Us!The Heswall Society is the local amenity society for Heswall and Gayton, formed just over 60 years ago by some far-sighted residents. For more information, Click here.
below Heswall
New members who share our aim to retain the quality of Heswall and Gayton, without opposing sensitive change, are very welcome. If you would like to join The Heswall Society please click on the red button below. Heswall WalksThe second of four walks in and around Heswall, originally published by Heswall Society in March 1989, is now reproduced on this website along with the first (see below). The series of four walks was initiated by a committee lead by Hugh Roper, Poppy Agnew, a local artist, and Ken Burnley, a well-known Wirral local historian and author. With the involvement of other committee members, publication of the walks happened over the course of ten years, and it's our intention to reproduce all of them via our website in due course.
The second walk starts from the Glegg Arms. It passes through the historic core of Gayton to the meadows alongside the River Dee, returning, via the Lower Village, over the last remnant of the 'black heathland' (The Beacons) to the starting point. Heswall Society Walk 1 Heswall Society Walk 2 Local Plan
In addition to consultations previously highlighted, the Society has recently responded to these further Consultations put out by the Council:
Government ConsultationsThe Society has recently responded to three consultations put out by the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government concerning:
Heswall Dales
Wirral Borough Council have recently published a Heswall Dales Management Plan 2020-2022. This plan is intended to provide a framework for the development and improvement of Heswall Dales.
Conservation Areas
Eight Conservation Area signs have been erected on lamp posts at the main entrances to Heswall Lower Village Conservation Area, and one sign at the entrance to Gayton Conservation Area
NewslettersClick Here to see the Society's Autumn 2020 Newsletter which has now been published and distributed to Members. Non members are encouraged to read it in order see and appreciate just how much time and effort the Society invests in protecting Heswall's built environment and public spaces for the benefit of its community, and we hope you will consider joining us!
Previous editions can be accessed within the Members Area. Lower Village Action Group
The Society was recently approached by shopkeepers, businesses and local residents of the Lower Village, for help in forming a group similar to the Heswall & District Business Association, but exclusively focused on reinvigorating the Lower Village by whatever means.
The newly formed Lower Village Action Group committee held its inaugural meeting in early January when ideas/thoughts flowed and from these, a number of possible initiatives are being pursued. It’s a case of ‘watch this space’ for developments. 
Trees
The Society now receives notification of all applications for surgery or felling of trees that are subject to Tree Preservation Orders or are within our Conservation Areas. Between January and August 2019, the Society received notification of six applications for tree works either to trees with Tree Preservation Orders attached, or to trees within our two Conservation Areas, and has objected in part to two of these applications.
Potholes!
The Government has given Wirral an extra £1.4 million to fix pot holes in our roads. Residents are invited to nominate a road for repair. To do so, Click Here. Now's your chance!
If you would like to help protect and enhance the unique character of Heswall please consider joining The Society.
GDPRPlease click on the Society's Privacy Notice to see how your data is collected and used by the Society.
Did you know that this logo was developed from a design by a pupil of Heswall Primary School in 1996? 
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