Derelict former Upton school could be demolished

Nov 12 2008 by Lorna Hughes, Birkenhead News

Benedicts in Upton

AN EYESORE former school building on the edge of the Woodchurch estate could be demolished within weeks.

St Benedict’s School closed in 2001 and has since fallen derelict and become a target for anti-social behaviour.

With mounting concerns about the safety of the site and fears young people are able to enter the building, Wirral Council has now given its 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 extremely 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 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.”