NOTES TAKEN AT THE PUBLIC MEETING, 24th May 2001 (continued)

Question: Am I right in saying that Flat 13 will adjoin the school?

Answer(IQ): Yes, but there'll be a thick wall in between.

Question: Are the flats to be sold privately, or rented out?

Answer (PH): The whole block will be sold to a developer, but covenants will be imposed on the leases. It's important to understand that the flat development won't be occurring for two years; otherwise the students would have to be decanted to another site.

Question: Will there be any access from the flats towards the park, or only to Church Road?

Answer (IQ): There'll be pedestrian access to Prince Alfred Road, as at present.

Question: Will the planners allow a two year delay?

Answer (IQ): Yes, planning permission lasts five years. Because it's a listed building, it's an involved process, so a developer probably won't want to start all over again and apply afresh.

Question: Aren't English Heritage involved too?

Answer (IQ): Very much so. It's a fine building, designed by the same architect at the same time as the Mersey Docks & Harbour Board building. The original features will be restored.

Question: What about the Chapel?

Answer (PH): It will be available for the use of the School, free of charge, but will not officially form part of it.

Mr Powell then described the proposals for the area marked blue on the plan: light blue being the North Wing of the existing building, dark blue being new build. The existing access road by School House will be widened, to serve the proposed new car park space and kitchen delivery area. He displayed a plan of the proposed floor layouts, pointing out that the existing lower ground floor does not extend under the front part of the building, and there is a steep change of ground level between Church Road and the existing playground. The proposed new build comprises a two-storey science lab, together with a sports hall; the current facilities not being up to national curriculum standards. It also incorporates a new kitchen and dining room, with sixth-form centre above, and changing rooms, a fitness studio and dance studio. Most of the rooms created within the existing building will be general classrooms; the exception being the existing dining hall which will become a Learning Resource Centre with extensive IT facilities This will be a flexible space. The DfEE award requires community use, and people from outside will therefore be allowed to come in and use the computers, etc. The playground area will be drastically reduced, but two new courtyards will be created and opened up as informal sitting and chatting areas. (Mr Powell reminded those present that the School will be co-educational from September 2003).

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(These notes were taken by a member of the Wavertree Society
and are NOT an official record.  E. & O.E.)

Key to abbreviations: CH = Chris Hallows, IQ = Ian Quayle,
PH = Peter Healey, ST = Sandy Tittershill, TP = Trevor Powell