Welcome to “Sunday Snippets” a weekly feature from birkenhead.news. It is a round-up of important local news stories from the last seven days. Click or tap on each story to read the full article.
Floral Pavilion’s future to be reviewed
Wirral Council will review the future of a historic theatre on the Wirral as it continues to lose money.
The Floral Pavilion in the coastal town of New Brighton has existed in some form since 1913 though the current building has only existed since 2008. The theatre is currently the largest multi-purpose venue on the Wirral but has continued to see losses in income over recent years.
It has been described as a “centrepiece” in New Brighton, which “brings enjoyment and no small measure of pride to thousands of residents throughout the borough.” Many famous artists such as Cilla Black and Sir Ken Dodd have appeared at the theatre.
Wirral’s recycling rate ‘dismal’
Recycling rates in the Wirral have dropped even further with progress being slammed as “dismal.”
The latest figures from a Wirral Council environment and transport committee report showed the recycling rate for Wirral decreased in 2022 compared to the previous year with only 30.7% of waste recycled.
This was a further decline with the council now recycling more than 5% less than it did in 2013. In 2021, more than 90,000 tonnes were not recycled and Wirral came 285th out of 338 councils in England.
Brackenwood Golf course to reopen
A community golf course that could be a “vital site” in the search for the battle that “gave birth” to England will reopen.
Brackenwood Golf Course was closed in 2022 by Wirral Council as part of sweeping budget cuts that year. Since then, its future as a golf course has remained uncertain with a long process to get a successful bid to take it over.
After 14 months, Brackenwood Golf Club will take over the course after agreeing to provide six sports pitches which will see it finally reopen.
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RNLI hovercraft crew rescue sheep chased into sea by dog
A sheep was rescued from Leasowe Beach by Hoylake RNLI hovercraft on Monday 24 July after being chased into the flooding tide by a dog.
The sheep’s farmer had called the Coastguard to raise the alarm and seek assistance as he planned to rescue the distressed animal. Hoylake RNLI hovercraft Hurley Spirit was requested to launch by HM Coastguard at 2.29pm.
The hovercraft launched with her volunteer crew and soon arrived on scene alongside the Wirral Coastguard Rescue Team and RNLI Wirral Lifeguards.
Letters to the Editor: Royden Park toilets ‘need sorting ASAP’
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Revamped roads for safer, healthier streets in Bebington
Two new cycle lanes and a major revamp of roads and parks could be coming to Bebington.
The changes are part of a major project called By Ours Bebington that is currently being carried out by cycling charity Sustrans in partnership with Wirral Council and the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.
It is being funded through the Freshfield Foundation and is one of two community projects in the Liverpool City Region “working with residents, businesses and schools to create safer, healthier and more attractive streets for everyone.”
Leverhulme appeals rejection of planning permission for 240 houses on Greasby greenbelt
A controversial developer has made a final push to see 240 homes built on greenbelt land.
Leverhulme Estate has confirmed it’s appealed a unanimous decision by councillors to reject 240 homes being built near Greasby.
The homes would be built on Appleby’s or Greenhouse Farm by Leverhulme and are part of major plans that could see nearly 8,000 homes built.
Landscaped Greenway corridor unveiled at Wirral Waters
A major green public realm and streetscape project, which surrounds the Mea Park neighbourhood at Peel L&P’s Wirral Waters, is now complete.
The Greenway, which forms part of the Liverpool City Region Freeport and runs along the north side of Beaufort Road and the east side of Wallasey Bridge Road, provides an attractive and sustainable travel corridor, comprising a walkway and off-road cycle route, for those living, visiting or working in the area.
The Greenway is separated from the road via an attractive landscaped corridor, incorporating sustainable drainage systems, native tree species and a wildflower meadow, and will provide a sustainable boundary to Mea Park.
Final approval for Birkenhead public realm improvements
New cycle lanes, walking routes, and some major changes to Birkenhead town centre have been given final approval.
The plans are expected to cost nearly £12m with a number of public realm improvements and changes to Grange Road West, Grange Road, the Charing Cross junction, Europa Boulevard, and Conway Street. This is after an initial consultation found public support for the schemes.
Part of Grange Road West is expected to become a trial low traffic neighbourhood with new public spaces and planters reducing the road down to one lane. New cycle and walking routes would be installed around Conway Park train station.
Derelict pub could become a ‘go-to destination for locals’ if plans go ahead
A derelict pub could become a “go-to destination for locals” if plans go ahead.
The former Royal Swan Hotel, later known as the Blazing Stump, and nightclub Bonkers, first opened in 1878 and was known for its “unusual and interesting atmosphere due to the variety of locals and overseas workers who would be visiting at any one time.”
After the decline of the Birkenhead docks with fewer ships passing through, the pub on Dock Road closed for good in the early 1990s.
Birkenhead Park friends fundraising to ‘make a difference’
A community group “looking to make a difference” in Birkenhead Park is raising money to help it secure world heritage status.
The Friends of Birkenhead Park are a group of volunteers working with Wirral Council staff to look after Birkenhead Park which first opened in 1847. The park is sometimes known as the People’s Garden and is the first publicly-funded park in the world.
The park is currently on a tentative shortlist for UNESCO World Heritage status. If it gets this award, the park is expected to get more than 5m visitors a year up from nearly 2m currently.
Hoylake resident ‘furious’ that people may have parked illegally during The Open
A Wirral resident was left furious at parking issues during The Open golf championship in Hoylake.
The Open was held at the Royal Liverpool course with 250,000 estimated to have enjoyed one of the most prestigious competitions in golf, won by American Brian Harman.
During the tournament, Wirral Council urged people to travel into Hoylake by public transport, with parking restrictions brought in to try and manage traffic.
Wirral Police weekly news round-up
This is the Birkenhead News weekly round-up of police activity in and around Wirral during the previous seven days.
What’s On? Guide
Visit our “What’s On?” guide for Wirral and the surrounding areas in the coming weeks.
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