Government halts Tranmere Rovers FC’s plan for memorial field sell off

Nov 13 2012 by Liam Murphy, Liverpool Echo

A CONTROVERSIAL decision by Wirral council to allow houses to be built on a World War I memorial field was halted by the Government.

Secretary of state Eric Pickles is now reviewing the planning application by Tranmere Rovers FC to build up to 90 new houses on Ingleborough Field, in Birkenhead.

The move could result in a public inquiry into the decision by the council.

Campaigners had fought the scheme by the League One club, saying the site – a former playing field for the Birkenhead Institute school – had been left as a memorial to 88 pupils, including the poet Wilfred Owen, who died in World War I.

But last month Wirral council’s planning committee approved the scheme, along with a linked application by Tranmere to redevelop the Woodchurch leisure centre as their new training ground.

A spokesman for the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) confirmed a stop notice had been placed on the planning decision over Ingleborough Field.