Football pitches will now not be ready until the 2026/27 season
Springfield Park, Liverpool (Image: Liverpool ECHO)
New football pitches designed for a much-loved community park next to Liverpool’s world-leading children’s hospital still won’t be ready for another year. A decade on from Alder Hey Children’s Hospital opening its new site on parts of Springfield Park, the work to repurpose the remaining land has still not been completed.
The new hospital was completed as part of a land exchange agreement with Liverpool Council with changes made to the lay of the land. This was signed back in 2012.
After years of waiting and negotiations, it had been hoped that the full 9.4 hectares of land at Springfield Park would be handed back in full after work was completed to restore the site in November 2023. Now, 18 months on, it has been confirmed junior football pitches being installed on the site won’t be ready until at least 2026.
In December 2022, John Grinnell, chief executive, told members of the public the hospital trust would have “failed” if it hadn’t handed the park back on time. New planning documents have now confirmed further changes are to be made to the design of the site, including a controversial drainage system.
As part of the land exchange agreement, Alder Hey is obligated to return all of the land back to council ownership. The site’s multi-use games area and play area opened in January last year, alongside a Forest School.
Springfield Park play area which is located close to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital(Image: Alder Hey Children’s Hospital)
Initial work on two junior reserve football pitches for small sided games was completed in June but are not ready to play on. The documents now said they would be ready for use for the 2026-2027 season.
As part of the changes, which will be considered by the city council’s planning committee next week, the controversial swale drainage system, which has attracted criticism, will be reduced in size.
Alder Hey Children’s Hospital as seen from Springfield Park with the Monument to Nelson(Image: Liverpool Echo)
Officers set out their justifications for the design in their report to members.
It said: “While there may not be swales in other parks in Liverpool this is not in itself a reason for not allowing one as part of the current application. The principle of a swale has been established through the earlier permission and is considered an acceptable feature within the park.
Springfield Park with Alder Hey Hospital in the background.(Image: LDRS)
“There is no reason that the swale should pollute the park due to the chemicals and petrochemicals washed into the swale from the development. Oil interceptors are included within the design of the swale to prevent pollutants from entering the body of water.”
Councillors will consider the application on Tuesday, July 7, at Liverpool Town Hall.