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Historic Bidston lighthouse to be preserved in development plan

2 June 2003

A property company has been chosen to potentially develop the site of the Proudman Oceanographic Laboratory (POL) at Bidston.

The company, which cannot be named at this stage, will preserve the appearance of the historic listed buildings on the site. They propose to redevelop the observatory building into flats and build new houses on other parts of the site. Most of the existing trees and green areas within the walled site will stay.

The lighthouse and adjacent unoccupied cottage have been offered at a peppercorn rent to the Bidston Preservation Trust. The lighthouse has in the past been opened to the public only on high days and holidays. If the Preservation Trust agrees to manage and maintain it, the local community will be able to enjoy regular access to the historic building.

The Proudman Oceanographic Laboratory, part of the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), is moving in September 2003 to a refurbished building on the University of Liverpool campus. The collaboration with the University will create a centre of excellence that will raise the profile of oceanographic sciences in the region to a much higher level.

John Hansford, Director of NERC’s administrative centre, says "The move to the University campus will provide great scientific opportunities for POL but we are also very conscious of the heritage of the Bidston site. We wish to work in partnership with other interested parties to protect and preserve it."

Converting the site to housing will preserve the appearance of the listed buildings and help deter vandalism as people will be living there. Planning permission will be sought from Wirral Council during the summer.

Further information

NERC Press Office
Natural Environment Research Council
Polaris House, North Star Avenue
Swindon, SN2 1EU
Tel: 01793 411561
Mob: 07917 557215

Notes

1. Discussions about the move of POL from the Bidston site started in the summer of 1999. Local MPs were informed of the proposals in the early autumn of that year and an initial press announcement was made in March 2000.

2. The name of the developer cannot be released yet as negotiations for the planned development are still underway between the developer, NERC, the Borough Council and the University.

3. NERC leads in providing independent research and training in the environmental sciences.

Press release: 08/03

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