FARR HALL DRIVE RESIDENTS GROUP
22 Farr Hall Drive
No 22 (Faraway) FHD
Update December 2024
Dear Friends and Neighbours,
You will remember that the Council has refused permission to demolish this attractive thatched cottage and build a block of flats in its place. The developer appealed to the Planning Inspectorate (PI) to have the Council’s decision overturned. Many of you wrote to the PI, supporting the Council’s decision and asking for the Appeal to be dismissed. This was successful.
However further applications have been submitted and vigorous objections have continued.
Currently it is awaiting review by Wirral Planning Committee but a date for that review is still pending.
Many thanks for all your continuing support.
Residents Publicity Campaign
Please get involved and write or email. Don't let the developers destroy this wonderful house.
HISTORY
A planning application (APP/19/00910) was submitted in June 2019 to knock down this attractive thatched cottage (one of a pair) and replace it with a block of flats. Again, many local residents opposed the application and an objecting petition with over 400 signatures was submitted to Wirral Council.
On 20 March 2020, the Council REFUSED planning permission, stating:
The proposal would not provide an adequate living environment for prospective occupiers without compromising the amenity of the surrounding residences contrary to UDP Policy HS4, the Supplementary Planning Document for Flat Development and the National Planning Policy Framework. In reaching this decision, the Local Planning Authority acknowledges the current shortfall in housing, however, the limited benefit of allowing this development would not outweigh the adverse impacts of allowing this proposal the proposal is therefore considered unacceptable and recommended for refusal.”
The Applicant submitted an Appeal against this decision to the Planning Inspectorate and this appeal was also refused.
In February 2023 some miinor changes were made to the planned development and a further application was submitted (APP/23/00233). This has again been vigorously opposed by the community. A date is awaited for discussion of this at the Wirral Planning Committee. Your support at this meeting would be appreciated.
New owner cuts down trees on Farr Hall Drivebridleway verge
On the 29 March 2019, residents of FHD became aware that mature trees outside No 22 (Faraway) were being cut down. These trees were outside the property border, on the bridleway verge. The property had recently been sold and according to the tree cutter, the new owner had instructed him to cut them down.
The owner and another gentleman appeared outside the property. These were the same men who had been seen earlier that day flying a drone up and down the North side of Farr Hall Drive over all the houses and gardens. When asked why he had cut the trees down, he said that they belonged to him and they were diseased and a danger. When he was challenged over these points by the group of residents who had now gathered, he added that the trees were not attractive and also said that as the previous owner had cut the grass verge of the bridleway, the trees now belonged to him.
These statements were refuted by the residents and it was obvious from looking at the sawn trunks, that the trees were perfectly healthy.
Phone calls from a number of concerned householders followed and the Wirral Council Tree Preservation Officer attended without delay. It seemed clear that the trees were healthy before being cut down. Immediately following this an emergency preservation order was made for the whole of the Drive and its properties.
Recently, the owner has put in for planning permission to demolish the thatched cottage to build six flats and a car park for nine cars with a new entrance.
