Bench used by ‘local alcoholics’ branded ‘not suitable’ for new outdoor gym

A Wirral town is in “furore” after comments were made about “local alcoholics” using a bench outside a former library building.

The confusion arose after a planning application was submitted, which would see the former Hoylake Library on Market Street turned into a new gym. The plans were submitted by Peter and Jennifer Hackett. Reports associated with the plans suggested the applicant wanted two trees and a bench outside the building removed.

A planning statement outlining the plans said, while their removal was not necessary, “the bank’s popularity with local alcoholics does not sit well with the applicants’ business model”. Mr and Mrs Hackett said they were not behind the comments in the report, nor were they aware of them.

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A proposed layout of the site as part of the application also said “the street trees and bench will be relocated” following consultation with Wirral Council. However, the plans were met with a petition, signed by hundreds of local residents, against the removal of the trees and the bench and it is understood the planning application has now been updated to remove any reference to this.

Ms Hackett hopes to establish a new health and wellbeing center called NOMAD within the former library, a building which dates back to the 1960s and closed in 2022. If approved, the center will include a gym, new changing rooms, access for wheelchairs. , and changes in parking.

It hopes to “provide a destination for the people of Wirral”, with “a unique mix of physical and mental wellbeing not currently offered in the Merseyside area”, which is “attractive to everyone, including professionals, students, children and local residents. “

The plaintiffs behind NOMAD have now distanced themselves from the comments, apologizing for the offence, claiming they had not had the opportunity to read the report before it was submitted.

A petition calling for the application to go to Wirral Council’s planning committee now has almost 1,500 signatures after two days. The petition was launched by Hoylake resident Jane Turner, president of the Wirral Green Party.

She said several people had contacted her about it, adding: “It was quite bad that the people of Hoylake lost access to their library. They were then threatened with the loss of some of the few street trees in the area and an important recreational space.

“This was unacceptable. Any planning permission granted should ensure that the public realm is enhanced, not further degraded. I am pleased to hear that the applicants do not agree with the part of their own application which caused the uproar and look forward to it being removed. I wish them every success in their business.”

However, the petition attracted criticism from Hoylake’s Tory councilors, who called on people to “move on”. On Facebook, they claimed it was never intended for the trees and bench to be removed, adding: “This is a business looking to invest and open in Hoylake, something that sounds like a great deal.”

Cllr Andrew Gardner said: “This is another attempt to gaslight the people of Hoylake by the Green Party. The trees are not part of the application nor on the application land. No one wants to lose trees and these trees will remain I am sure.

“The petition must be removed. We welcome investment in Hoylake and this Internet pile-up started by the applicant Green Party shows that the Greens are unfit to represent the people of Hoylake. Hoylake ward councilors will make representations to Green Party leaders.”

Following the changes to the application, Dr Turner said he would stop the petition, thanking NOMAD “for responding so quickly to public concerns”, adding: “It will be great to see the building being used again.”

Philip Barton, the independent planning consultant who wrote the report, said: “The formulation of this statement is due to a misinterpretation of the instructions I received from my client, who is actually happy for the bench and trees to remain in place.” . adding: “While I have personally seen street drinkers using this bench, I accept that my choice of words could have been more judicious and I apologize for any offense caused.”

Jennifer Hackett, who lives in Wirral, told the ECHO the wording was not at their request and was “in no way a reflection of what we believe”. She apologized “for any confusion this planning application has caused”, adding that they would not be removing the trees and planned to restore the bench to “give you some attention”.

She said: “The concept of Nomad is built on connection and we want to create a facility where everyone can connect with each other as well as with their own mind, body and soul. We’re really trying to create a harmonious place that helps the community with physical and mental well-being,” adding, “Again, we apologize for any offense caused, and we hope that moving forward, you’ll be able to see the good things that we we want. to deliver to the community.”

When asked why she did not read the planning application before it was sent, Mrs Hackett said: “We have used this planning consultant before when we were considering another space on the Wirral and we saw that full planning application , but he added that in this new request. without our permission. However, when you hire a professional to handle something this complicated, you expect it to be done right.”

People can voice their opinions about the app until May 16, 2024.

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