Almost 20 years have come and gone since promises were made about the former Cottage Homes playing fields
17:21, 14 Jan 2026Updated 17:34, 14 Jan 2026
The site on Aintree Lane has become a dumping ground over the last two decades(Image: )
After almost two decades of neglect, progress could finally be coming on a massive green space turned into a “dumping ground” on the Liverpool-Knowsley border. Almost 20 years have come and gone since promises were made of a health and fitness centre, angling lake and BMX track on the former Cottage Homes playing fields at the junction of Aintree Lane and Longmoor Lane.
Owned by Liverpool Council, the majority of the land actually falls within the boundaries of the metropolitan borough of Knowsley. It is a quirk of the map that is replicated along the adjacent Copplehouse Lane, where the further down you go, the bins change from maroon to purple and sometimes back again.
Now, as rubbish begins to accumulate and damage is done to the large green hoardings that border the land, a future may be in store for the derelict space that has cast a shadow over the area of north Liverpool for 19 years. Cllr Debbie Cooke, who represents Fazakerley East, has been lobbying both local authorities on the issue since she took up her seat.
In 2007, around 20 acres of land was deemed surplus to requirements by Liverpool Council with a hope it could be repurposed. Rather than the promised new sporting facilities came years of fly-tipping of hazardous waste, detritus and neglect. A meeting of Liverpool Council’s executive board in August of that year deemed the land – designated as greenbelt – to be surplus to requirement after the site was not used as formal playing fields for more than two decades prior to that point.
The rubbish left dumped on land off Aintree Lane(Image: )
A board report set out then it had already become a hot spot for anti-social behaviour. A Knowsley Council planning committee was told in October 2013 how the site had been abandoned and there was no sign of work resuming.
In the almost 12 years that have come and gone since, weeds have run amok on the green metal hoardings that envelope the site, while two large concrete blocks have been placed outside to stop cars accessing the land to fly tip. It has still proven to be a popular route for dog walkers but has long been an eyesore along the 2.6 mile road.
Cllr Cooke took to social media to provide an update on the site. She said: “Some of you know I have been working to try and get something done with the land at the back of the Shell garage which over the years has become a dumping ground.
The rubbish left dumped on land off Aintree Lane(Image: )
“It is complicated because although the land belongs to Liverpool Council (taken back from the failed developer) it sits within Knowsley. Liverpool Council have agreed to implement a long-term solution for the site that will require a change in the current designated greenbelt (Knowsley) and open space (Liverpool) uses of the land.
Representation has been made to Knowsley Council and is due to be made to Liverpool as part of the refresh of their respective Local Plans. As this is a statutory process unfortunately a decision on any change of use is not expected in the short term.”
Cllr Cooke revealed a funding request had been made to the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority for site remediation with a decision potentially to be made in March.
Damage to the barriers on the site(Image: )
She added: “Soft market engagement with housing developers will also be undertaken to inform the future marketing of the site.
“I have reported there has been recent damage to the fencing and fly tipping so Liverpool Council are arranging for this to be repaired.”