Rivals ready for battle over derelict garden festival site

Oct 2 2007 by Liza Williams, Liverpool Daily Post

DETAILS of a public inquiry into proposals for Liverpool’s derelict International Garden Festival site were released last night.

Campaigners for and against the development are preparing to express their views at the inquiry which will take place at the Adelphi Hotel later this month.

The Government used special powers to “call in” the controversial application to build 1,308 flats and 66 houses on the land at Otterspool, which has fallen into neglect since the 1984 festival.

Environmental campaign group Save The Festival Gardens has rallied against the £250m mixed use proposal by developers Langtree McLean. But many residents are desperate for the area to be redeveloped.

Members of the Riverside Residents’ Association (RRA) want the development to go ahead and say the land is a haven for anti-social behaviour, noise and litter.

Plans include the restoration of the Japanese Gardens and park land.

Chairperson of RRA, Andrea Spyropoulos, of Bul- rushes Close said: “We have waited for so many years for this eyesore of a site to be developed and have seen four applications come and go. The site is a complete mess – there are bikes in ponds and rubbish is everywhere.”

RRA member Reg Cox, 78, added: “The proposed development can’t happen quickly enough as far as I’m concerned.” At Liverpool Council’s executive meeting on Friday, councillors endorsed the plans and rejected rumours the promenade would close.

The council also agreed to give 0.2 acres to the developers, a move which has upset members of Save the Festival Gardens. Chairperson Lucy Page said: “We are disappointed to see the council back-tracking on public assurances. It seems a politician’s promises given ahead of local elections don’t need to be kept afterwards.”

The inquiry starts on October 30, 10am, in the Sefton Room, Britannia Adelphi Hotel, Ranelagh Place, lasting for about 12 days, excluding Monday, and is open to the public.

lizawilliams