Glegg Arms Saved from Demolition
The Council Planning Committee has voted to refuse Whitbread’s application (APP/26/00734) to demolish the historic Glegg Arms in Heswall and replace it with a new hotel bedroom block. The Heswall Society’s efforts, supported by the Wirral Green Space Alliance, heritage consultant and local councillor Kathy Hodson, were instrumental in opposing the proposal. Councillor Hodson successfully ensured the application went before the committee and spoke against demolition, while the society’s Planning Officer Roger Lane presented a strong case for preserving the building. The campaign highlighted the Glegg Arms’ historical significance, including its former public weighbridge office dating back to at least 1898 and its remarkably well-preserved façade, which has changed little in over 180 years. Despite being identified as a candidate for local listing last year, the building’s heritage value had been questioned by the Council’s planning and heritage team. The Society argued that demolition was unnecessary because additional hotel rooms could be accommodated elsewhere on the site while retaining the inn’s historic frontage. This decision represents a significant victory for local heritage preservation and the community’s campaign to save the Glegg Arms. The Heswall Society is grateful to everyone who contributed to the campaign. Heswall and the surrounding Wirral are constantly under threat. Developers only have to win once to spoil our Wirral home. We must win every time to preserve it. Peak Cluster 
Our Green Belt is under threat from the proposal by Peak Cluster to run a CO2 pipeline through the centre of Wirral and build an above ground facility at Moreton. KEY REASONS FOR OPPOSITION:
In summary, concerns centre on safety, environmental impact, the use of Green Belt land, and the perceived effectiveness of carbon capture technology. The Wirral Green Space Alliance (of which the Heswall Society is a member) has set up a petition which we would encourage you to sign. The link to the petitions ae below. Please sign both There are a number of groups other than ourselves opposing this proposal. These include:
Defend Wirrals Green Spaces No CO2 Pipeline Wirral Barratt Homes Threat to Green Belt
Heswall Society oppose Barratt Homes application for 295 homes on Green Belt land
Barratt has applied for outline planning permission for up to 295 new homes on Green Belt land off Chester Road in Heswall Ward. Wirral’s new Local Plan 2045, which is currently being developed, will determine whether any Green Belt land needs to be released to meet new government-imposed higher housing targets and what infrastructure is required to support major developments. The Heswall Society will oppose attempts by developers trying to pre-empt that strategic process by exploiting loopholes and cherry-picking Green Belt sites. Until the new Local Plan is finalised, development efforts should focus on meeting the ambitious housing targets already agreed in the current Local Plan or areas in urgent need of regeneration. Please submit your comments on the application online at https://online.wirral.gov.uk/planning/index.html... by 31 October and share this post with anyone who wants to protect Heswall’s Green Belt Industrial Scale Solar farm Threatens Wirral Green Belt
SAY NO TO INDUSTRIAL SCALE SOLAR FARMS ON WIRRAL’S PRECIOUS GREEN BELT Not content with trying to concrete over our precious Green Belt with housing, Developers are now eyeing up Wirral’s Green Belt to enable them to maximise their profits via Industrial Scale Solar Farms. Whilst we support the use of solar power to help the UK achieve its net zero targets, we believe they should be constructed in the right places, i.e. on carparks, supermarkets, factories, municipal buildings, private family homes, etc. NOT on productive farmland, with important, supposedly protected landscape and ecological value. We are calling on Wirral Borough Council to SAY NO TO INDUSTRIAL SOLAR FARMS ON WIRRAL'S GREEN BELT and to use all their powers to direct solar panels / farms to be installed on Brownfield land, as required by Wirral’s Adopted Local Plan. Currently, there is a proposed Solar Farm in the pipeline which would consume 70 acres of green belt land at Rose Cottage, Station Road, Thurstaston: SAVE THURSTASTON’S ICONIC VIEWS - Stop the industrialisation of Wirral’s most treasured beauty spot! Why this matters to you.... Even if you don’t live in Thurstaston you’ve likely enjoyed a walk along the Wirral Way, taken in the breathtaking views from Thurstaston Hill or visited the Country Park with family and friends. These are the views that define the Wirral and attract over 250,000 visitors every year. Now imagine those iconic, much loved views destroyed by 70 acres of industrial solar panels. What’s at stake.... Chinese company CHINT Solar and the Landowner want to transform productive, protected Green Belt farmland at Thurstaston into an industrial solar installation: it’s a threat to everything that makes this area so special. • 3.5 metre high solar panels covering an area equivalent to 40 football pitches • Substations, transformers, constant noise from cooling fans • 2.5 metre high security fencing severing access to ancient wildlife corridors, forage and roosting opportunities • CCTV cameras and security lighting resulting in permanent surveillance and light pollution, causing significant disturbance for nocturnal animals • Destruction of habitat for sensitive and protected local and migrating wildlife • Disruption, danger and damage on local roads from heavy loads and machinery The Result: Industrialisation of an irreplaceable, protected landscape. We Must Act Now CHINT Solar have already submitted a Screening Request for a ‘Proposed Solar PV Development’ to Wirral Council, arguing an onerous and lengthy Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is unnecessary. WGSA, ITPAS and others objected to the truncating of the evidence process, and the Council has confirmed a full EIA IS required. Once the EIA has been completed a full Planning Application will likely be submitted. There is a better way - Leading Conservation groups like CPRE – The Countryside Charity (formerly known as Campaign to Protect Rural England) have identified the solution: rooftop solar, brownfield sites and previously developed land (PDL). We do not need to sacrifice our most precious landscapes when alternatives exist. If approved in this unique site, it would set a terrible precedent and open the floodgates for solar farms across Wirral. What We Are Asking - Sign this petition to tell Wirral Council to: • REJECT the Rose Cottage (Thurstaston) Solar Farm application • PROTECT our Area of Special Landscape Value (SLV) and the Thurstaston SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) Good News: Brownfield Only LocalPlanThe long expected letter from the inspectors has been received by the Council today.
Wirral Council has been told by the Planning Inspectors it can move ahead to formally adopt what is believed to be the country’s first Brownfield-Only Local Plan. It seems the government inspectors have accepted the required changes to the Local Plan (Main Modifications) and Wirral Council can now go forward and adopt the plan. The Local Plan is a vital document which sets out how the borough should be developed over the next 18 years – what Wirral will look like for the next generation and beyond. The fight to save our Wirral Green Belt may have been successful. The Heswall Society and Wirral Green Space Alliance have been fighting for this for years and it now seems we may have success in protecting our precious Green Belt. A note of caution to this good news, however. We need to review the news and report back once we have digested the report. In addition, the implications, if any, for Wirral Council having received the letter after the NPPF deadline (albeit by only one day) also needs also to be understood. Looks like very good news, but we need more information before we can be absolutely sure. Defibrillator Installed in Lower Heswall Village
We are pleased to announce that the Defibrillator presented by the Heswall Society and maintained by St Peters Church has been installed in the Porch of St Peters Church and is accessible 24/7.
In announcing this at the Society's Open Meeting in January 2025 Steve Anderson said "While we hope it is not required it's good to know that if it's needed it could save lives". Award for Harry Beswick Pub
The Harry Beswick Pub is awarded The Heswall Society Outstanding Building Award.
This prestigious award was presented to Hydes Brewery at The Harry Beswick pub on Monday 18th November at 11am. The award recognises the Brewery’s commitment to preserving and revitalising a historic building that has been an integral part of Heswall for generations. The Harry Beswick, the former site of Heswall Police Station, is named after its local architect known for his Edwardian designs of public buildings. The award celebrates outstanding achievements in sensitive architectural design and preservation of heritage sites in the Heswall area. Located in the heart of Heswall, The Harry Beswick, was constructed incorporating the local stone that was once common in the construction of such buildings on the Wirral. Originally built in 1911, the building has long been a much-loved local landmark. Through meticulous renovation efforts, Hydes Brewery has succeeded in not only preserving the building’s architectural integrity but also enhancing its appeal and functionality for modern-day patrons. “The Harry Beswick pub is a shining example of how heritage sites can evolve to meet contemporary needs while respecting their original features” said Dr Steve Anderson, Chair of the Heswall Society. The project included restoring the stone plaque above the main entrance, the Ruabon brick façade and sandstone together with the mullion windows and gables. The award serves as a reminder of the importance of safeguarding historic structures and encouraging their transformation into vibrant spaces that continue to serve the community. By valuing and preserving history, projects like this inspire future generations to engage with and cherish the architectural heritage around them. Roy Wilson, general manager of The Harry Beswick, added: “We’re delighted to have been presented with this award. We have worked hard to establish a strong relationship with the local community since we opened last November and this continues to go from strength to strength. Becoming an integral part of the local community is of great importance to Hydes. “The Harry Beswick was Hydes’ first property acquisition since 2018 and its first new establishment to open in five years. The response from customers and the local community has been tremendous and we look forward to building on the success of our first year in Heswall.”
The future of Dawstone Park is under treat. The Friends of Dawstone Park was set up in April 2015 to ensure the flowers beds in the Park were maintained as the Council was no longer prepared to do this. Over the past 9 years the committee has been largely unchanged. New volunteers are now needed to continue the work.
To find out how you can help and what’s involved please contact Paul Leidecker on 0151 342 8570 or via email [email protected] The Outdoor Gym
The Outdoor Gym Due to the recent council elections and the Council officers busy dealing with the Local Plan examination and Leverhulme Estates inquiry, there has been no further progress at the time of writing. The design has been agreed with the Council officers (a surfaced pad containing four items of fitness equipment) as has the position on the Puddydale. The next steps are to finalise costs and raise the required 4 amount of money. Our Councillors remain confident that the gym will be in place by the end of the year
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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.
Heswall in Bloom. Planting in the Rain!Undeterred by heavy rain the Heswall in Bloom volunteers do their bit to keep our Wirral home special. To find out more about Heswall in Bloom see their Facebook Page
Castle Buildings Flower Beds
CThe Heswall Society/Heswall in Bloom are hugely grateful to The Mill Shop, Claire House, Hallmark and Cain of Heswall who have each agreed to 'Adopt a Bed' outside their shops in Castle Buildings. The beds are planted and maintained throughout the year by volunteer members of the Society, lead by Angie Mounsey.
One of the major difficulties we face is keeping the beds adequately watered, particularly during dry spells, without a readily available tap! Because of this, it has been necessary for volunteers to bring large quantities of water with them by car which can be extremely onerous. Now, by adopting the various flower beds, these four businesses have very kindly agreed to share the job of watering between them, for which the Society is immensely grateful and has donated some bright red watering cans! Hopefully all those who enjoy the flower beds will also show these businesses how much their work is valued. Volunteers Needed Book Share Kiosk
For the full story on how our Telephone Box was rescued and repurposed click here
Update on Risk to Wirral Green BeltSolar Panels in Conservation Areas
Wirral Council has recently updated its policy on Solar Panels in Conservation Areas - including, of course, Gayton and Lower Heswall Village. See Details
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. There is also a "Treasure Hunt" suitable for primary school children accompanied by an adult. Free Down Loads Public Footpaths and Bridleways
The Government’s deadline to register historic paths by 2026 (that members were alerted to) was repealed by DEFRA in March 2022 following the Welsh government’s lead. Public rights of way that did not appear on the Council's definitive map by 1 January 2026 had been at risk of being lost forever.
Nonetheless, everyone is encouraged to look at the definitive map and bring attention to any known footpaths and public rights of way that are not shown. Once recorded as rights of way, and added to the definitive map, paths are protected under law for people to use. For more information on this, including a link to the definitive map, and how you can help, Click here. |
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