IRRAL NEWS W BIRKENHEAD EDITION
Borough pays tribute to fallen
THE PACT’S PROGRESS
REMEMBRANCE of the borough’s war dead crossed all boundaries and age groups as hundreds turned out on Sunday for the annual service of remembrance at the cenotaph in Hamilton Square. Deputy mayor Andrew Hodson led Wirral’s tributes joined by young people, armed forces and community groups. ● More pictures on Page 3.
Latest opinions on make-up of Wirral Council See page 4
EMMA IS TOP CHEF
Female winner at Wirral tourism awards
See page 5
IN MEMORY OF JAMES
www.wirralnews.co.uk
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
● Deputy mayor Andrew Hodson led the tributes as young and old remembered Wirral’s war heroes Code PH091108D-22/25
DEADLINE ON SCHOOL SITE
Derelict building faces demolition after spate of incidents Band release downloadable song for charity See page 7
AN EYESORE former By LORNA HUGHES school building on the edge of the Wood- With mounting concerns church estate could be about the safety of the site and young people are able to demolished within fears enter the building, Wirral weeks. Council has now given its
St Benedict’s School closed in 2001 and has since fallen derelict and become a target for antisocial behaviour.
owner 14 days to resolve the problems. A spokesman confirmed it was looking to demolish the building.
Wimpey was granted planning permission in February to build nearly 200 homes on the site - but no construction work has taken place and the company is understood to have pulled out in the summer. Upton councillor Tom Anderson said: “The site has been an accident waiting to happen and reports of young people accessing the site to practice free running are ex-
tremely worrying. “The council has dragged its heels for far too long on this and I’m absolutely delighted something is finally going to be done.” Two developers are believed to be interested in the site, one based in Ireland and the other on Wirral. The site is part of the green belt and outside the areas of Wirral designated by the
Birkenhead Court and Grange
New state-of-the-art residential care homes for the elderly. To look around the homes and meet the team, visit us on our
Open Day; Sunday 16th November 10.30am to 4.00pm For more information call 0845 603 7743 or visit www.orchardcarehomes.com 3 Challis Street, Bidston, Birkenhead CH41 7DH
council for new housing development. However, planners ruled earlier this year that it was previously developed land and the derelict school building was damaging to the character of the estate. A spokesman for Wirral Council said: “We hope that the issues pertaining to this site will be resolved in the next two weeks.”