The council said the condition of the area is ‘disappointing’ and investigations have shown the issue is far more complex than first understood
Moss Side Lake in the Poppy Fields estate, Maghull(Image: Liverpool Echo)
A much-loved beauty spot in one part of Merseyside has a “danger lurking beneath the surface”, according to residents. In addition to their safety concerns, people said the area’s natural environment is deteriorating, presenting a risk to local wildlife.
The lake between School Lane and Park Lane in Maghull forms part of the new build Poppy Fields housing estate, which includes the former Moss Side Hospital site, where WWI soldiers received treatment for “shell shock”. The waters and natural tranquillity of Moss Side Lake were thought to be the ideal area for patients while they recovered and, more recently, an urban escape for families to enjoy.
However, the Liverpool ECHO reported on the drying up of the lake back in July 2025, and the result of a depleted water table, an ongoing problem since Persimmon Homes completed work on the development, culminating in a spate of dead animals being found decomposing in the water. The issue came to crisis point in August when someone was rescued from the lake after becoming trapped in the mud.
After some wrangling between residents, Persimmon and the area’s management company RMG, the developer agreed to pay for Heras fencing, with safety signage posted up around its perimeter. However, the fencing was removed earlier this month, prompting renewed concern among residents, who questioned what safety assessments had been carried out.
Moss Side Lake is part of the Poppy Fields estate in Maghull 2025(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
The ECHO understands the results of an initial drainage survey into reduced water levels at Moss Side Lake found there is no damage to the drainage network. However, the inlets into the lake are not connected to any water source.
One working theory is the inlets were historically connected to the old hospital buildings, and water that collected on the rooftops of these buildings would have flowed into the lake via the inlets. These historic hospital buildings were demolished pre-development.
The cause of the issue has yet to be confirmed, but what is known is the impact on the lake, and the repeated highlighting of the issue by local people.
The ECHO further understands Persimmon’s position is the health and safety risk associated with the lake’s depleted water table have been resolved due to the rise in water levels. However, residents say this is down to the wet winter months, and that the lake will again start depleting in spring and summer because of an unresolved drainage issue.
One of the people leading the campaign to improve the area is David Leatherbarrow, who lives on Poppyfields estate and also serves the community as a town councillor. He said: “We were walking past the lake recently, and saw the fencing being removed. You would assume that means it’s now been deemed safe, but there’s been no risk assessment. We’ve asked for a copy of the risk assessment, but we’ve had nothing.
David Leatherbarrow by the side of Moss Side Lake in the Poppy Fields estate, Maghull(Image: Liverpool Echo)
“Over the summer, there were tonnes of fish that died there, birds and a Canadian goose we reported dead. We reported it, but nothing appeared to be done, so we don’t know if that water’s clean. There was also someone who was injured as well, who fell into the water and mud up to waist high and they had to be rescued.
“Now we’re in a situation where it’s not fenced off anymore in any meaningful, safe way. If any kids go in there to fish, which they’re likely to do and they want to wade into the water, they’ve got a layer of water and silt as well, which could go above their heads.
“Everyone’s sick of it, sick of walking past it, it looks disgusting. It’s such a naturally beautiful place, but with the silt and rotting animals, there’s a real danger lurking beneath the surface.
“Also, in a vain effort to try and get the estate adopted quickly, Persimmon has planted a load of trees around the lake. Now, what they’ve done is they agreed last July that they turn this area over, because it was full of building rubble. This is where they used to store all of the building equipment.
“They’ve not done that, they’ve not removed the rubble, they’ve just buried it all and they’ve just planted new trees around bricks and rubble.
“What we want is, in the short term, for the fencing to go back up. Why? Because if it was deemed unsafe last year, it’s not safe now. When they’ve removed the fencing, there’s signs on there to tell people to stay out, because they deemed that to be necessary, but they’ve taken the fence away, with the signs as well.
“Second thing is, this lake has been fished for years and years, it’s always been used by kids and local anglers, but now that we’re aware of danger, where people have actually been injured or rescued.
Saplings planted by Moss Side Lake in the Poppy Fields estate, Maghull(Image: Liverpool Echo)
“It tells us that the silt at the bottom of the waterway needs to be investigated and maybe removed out.”
Responding to some of these concerns, spokesperson for Persimmon Homes North West said: “The temporary Heras fencing was erected due to low water levels at Moss Side Lake during the summer. Now the water has returned to a substantial level, residents were informed that the fencing would be removed.
“Signage is already in place reminding people not to climb over the existing fence and enter the lake. Additional signs will be installed soon and we would encourage anyone witnessing anti-social behaviour on-site to report it to the relevant authorities. Work is ongoing to explore longer-term improvements to the lake, and residents will continue to be kept updated on progress.”
People hope the solution will be found sooner rather than later, including Thomas Lyons, 74, who has lived on the Poppyfields estate with his wife Pauline, after they moved from Litherland four years ago. Thomas said they both love the area’s natural beauty, but they’ve become increasingly concerned about how the area is maintained, and the safety of the lake.
Referencing the safety fencing, Thomas said: “The major problem is, if they’re going to do something with the fencing, for security or whatever reason, it should be a permanent fixture.”
Pauline also highlights the longer term issue with the drainage. She said: “It’s so disappointing, and we know people are having trouble in their homes, as well as the effect on the lake, with water backing up and things like that. We just want a permanent solution so all this stops dragging on.”
Irene and James Catterall, 72, by the side of Moss Side Lake in the Poppy Fields estate, Maghull(Image: Liverpool Echo)
The Poppyfields estate in Maghull falls within the constituency represented by Bill Esterson MP who is aware of the ongoing issues in the area, ever since the development was first mooted. He said: “I’ve worked with lots of different Poppyfields residents on these issues for many years. Moss Side Lake was promised as a high-quality green space at the heart of the development, an asset central to the community.
“The lake should never have been allowed to deteriorate. It’s very sad that when the old hospital was demolished the water supply to the lake wasn’t retained.
“I’ve been challenging Persimmon about Poppyfields since the first homes were built, with all the problems of snagging that faced the early residents all the way through to today and I continue to do so.”
Mr Esterson added: “When I challenged Persimmon in the autumn, they reaffirmed their responsibility as landowner, agreed to cover the cost of the temporary fencing, completed surveys into the causes of the problem, and committed to producing a plan.
“It is now time for that plan to be presented and delivered, so Poppyfields residents finally have the safe, beautiful space they were promised.”
Responding to resident concerns about the site, Sefton Council leader, Cllr Marion Atkinson, said: “While the condition of the pond is disappointing, investigations have shown the issue is far more complex than first understood, and specialist engineers are now working on a permanent solution.”
Local residents by the side of Moss Side Lake in the Poppy Fields estate, Maghull(Image: Liverpool Echo)
These sentiments were shared by Cllr Phil Hart who is the representative for Maghull Sudell ward, and has been engaged with the issues at Moss Side. He said: “The pond issue is complex and frustrating, but it is being actively worked on by Persimmon Homes engineers.
“Alongside that, we have secured real progress across the estate, from safety works and biodiversity improvements to moving adoption of the estate forward. I will keep holding Persimmon to account and working with partners until Poppyfields meets the standard residents deserve.”