Just to let you all know that Clare Skourpinska had passed away and her funeral was held yesterday (23rd).

Hello!
My wife Silvia and myself would like to send everyone our best wishes for Xmas and the new year.
Stephen Granger ex pupil (1962-1971)

Hello and l am so sorry to heard about Simon M died in Sept which l saw now late in the Birkdale New.

Hello everyone.

Im writing to ask if anyone went to the meeting regarding the School`s future which took place on the 18th of August. A public enquiry/meeting was taking place that day (see letter in the Guestbook section from a Granville road resident)

I sometimes look up on the Southport visiter paper to see if there is any news but no sign of progress? Tony do you have any updates at all?

I look for Mark Whitton who was ex-pupil at birkdale deaf school. We were at derby college for deaf. I heard he moved to Ierland. If one of ex pupils still keep touch with him. Tell him keep touch with me. Thank u!

Hi reading report on latest proposal for redevelopment at former school. This company is just trying to con people out,firstly school should be rebuilt to it former state as per Grade 2 listed building due to it history being a tank factory and bullet making factory during the war and then after the war was turned into one of the best deaf schools in uk .

now this company want to built houses on one of the best playing fields in Southport then it would put southport off the map !! Due to Waterlogging hence the school area was called Terance Nova .

Houses already on site has been flooded during heavy rainfall as the rain ran down steep drive way to the bottom of the embankment where the houses are .will be a big eye sore if houses are built on the playing field(how many ?)
who are the houses for ?

I’m a resident of Granville Road and I’m trying to oppose the plans put forward to build on the playing fields. Centremodel bought the school in 2006 and have since only been interested in obtaining planning permission to build houses on the playing field.

The field has a clause attached to it know as a "106 Agreement" between Sefton Council and Centremodel, and states that the field is to be kept for local sports activities such as cricket and football, and it is the responsibility of Centremodel to maintain the field, mark out pitches, and provide changing facilities.

S&B Cricket Club were using the field before the school's closure, and have since been refused access to the field.

Centremodel have told Sefton Council they need to build on the field and sell the properties to raise funds before they can rectify the fire damage to the main building as it wasn’t insured at the time of the fire. This is known in planning as Enabled Development.

It would seem stupid to have bought a listed building in 2006 costing millions of pounds with virtually no security or insurance to protect this asset?

It would seem the fire damage came at a convenient time and place. It was extremely fortunate for Centremodel that the fire was started by the arsonist near to the schierwater room, as the firewall in that room prevented the fire destroying the whole building. If that had happened, then there would be no justification for Enablement Development to build on the field.

Within 36 days of the fire, Centremodel had drawn up and submitted plans to the council for redevelopment of the school and building houses on the field. This included converting the main building into 26 apartments, and 5 detached houses on the existing outbuilding footprints, and 11 detached houses on the playing field.

I attended a viewing of Centremodel plans with other local residents, one of whom asked "What will happen if you don't get permission to build on the field" the Centremodel representative answered "Nothing will happen, the school will remain as it is"

The residents have no objection to the school being renovated into the 26 apartments and the five detached houses on the footprint but said no to the houses on the playing field.

The decision on the planning went to a public enquiry and then onto the High Court in London where the 106 Agreement was upheld and permission to build on the field was refused.

Because there has been a revision in planning regulations since the initial refusal, Centremodel have submitted further plans in December 2013 which now consist of 26 detached houses in the playing fields and four houses on the footprint of the outbuildings and 27 apartments in the main school building. Sefton Council are rejecting the number of houses on the field and because of this centremodel have now taken this to a public enquiry.

Again, their argument will be that they will have to build and sell all the houses before they can afford to convert the main school building.

This begs the question, how long will that take in this economic climate? Who would want to buy a house looking at the main school building in its present state? Will the school still be standing and be viable for conversion by the time Centremodel have the funds to renovate it?

It seems the conversion of this building is being used as a bargaining tool for seeking permission for something that wouldn't ordinarily be granted. My main concern is that this company may seek this permission in respect of the playing field and not fulfil their obligations in respect of the main school building. It would be a shame to see this company allowed to build on the field and profit from the same and eventually see the school destroyed. Our community losing out on both a playing field and such a beautiful building which I am sure holds great memories for many within the impaired hearing community also.

I am seeking support to oppose the plans put forward by Centremodel and would be very grateful for anyone who can make themselves available to attend the Public Enquiry which will be held on 18 August at Southport Town Hall, Lord Street.

I'm sorry but I won't be able to be at tommorows funeral as their are not enough staff at giles Shirley to take me

I am going to ask my staff, and try and get to Mr Henderson's funeral on Friday, though I have got an dentist appointment on that day

Sad to hear about Mr Henderson but he had had a good life and may he now rest in peace.