Our West Lancashire is calling for fresh public consultation on controversial plans to demolish the ‘pagoda’ at Wheatsheaf Walk in Ormskirk.

Proposals are on hold after the demolition costs reported to councillors were found to be a gross underestimate; revised costs have not been quantified but could be double the original estimate of 'no more than £10,000'.

Council Independents, Our West Lancashire. have renewed their call for an effective and meaningful public consultation over the demolition plans saying there is now adequate time to do so.

In June, all 6 Labour councillors on a committee, none of whom represented Ormskirk ruled out a full public consultation on the demolition proposals overruling opposition councillors in a narrow 6-5 vote.

Our West Lancashire Knowsley ward spokesman, Neil Pye, himself a former Labour councillor said: “In the summer, the Skelmersdale-centric Labour Group pushed the demolition decision through in the face of a public outcry.

"The council’s previous consultation was so poor at engaging the public that only 28 responses were made, yet hundreds commented on OWL’s social media when the demolition announcement was made.

"This fresh delay gives the council plenty of time to organise an effective and engaging public consultation that will provide the updated costs of including the pagoda demolition in the Wheatsheaf Walk improvement scheme.

"We need to be sure that money spent in our town centres is spent wisely and people should be given their say on this.”

Oh no - not this pagoda again... You'd think it was Big Ben or the Eiffel Tower they way people go on about it!

Why was this thing built, and who built it? What purpose does it serve? Who will pay for its future upkeep if it remains in place?

And if OWL and their hundreds of outraged followers on their social media think this is such a huge issue given everything that's happening in the world at the moment, then they need to take a reality check.

Let's focus instead on trying to keep local businesses open and making sure people stick to COVID rules and guidance, instead of protecting this white elephant of a structure from demolition.

Originally Posted by rogerblaxall

Our West Lancashire is calling for fresh public consultation on controversial plans to demolish the ‘pagoda’ at Wheatsheaf Walk in Ormskirk.

Proposals are on hold after the demolition costs reported to councillors were found to be a gross underestimate; revised costs have not been quantified but could be double the original estimate of 'no more than £10,000'.

Council Independents, Our West Lancashire. have renewed their call for an effective and meaningful public consultation over the demolition plans saying there is now adequate time to do so.

In June, all 6 Labour councillors on a committee, none of whom represented Ormskirk ruled out a full public consultation on the demolition proposals overruling opposition councillors in a narrow 6-5 vote.

Our West Lancashire Knowsley ward spokesman, Neil Pye, himself a former Labour councillor said: “In the summer, the Skelmersdale-centric Labour Group pushed the demolition decision through in the face of a public outcry.

"The council’s previous consultation was so poor at engaging the public that only 28 responses were made, yet hundreds commented on OWL’s social media when the demolition announcement was made.

"This fresh delay gives the council plenty of time to organise an effective and engaging public consultation that will provide the updated costs of including the pagoda demolition in the Wheatsheaf Walk improvement scheme.

"We need to be sure that money spent in our town centres is spent wisely and people should be given their say on this.”

I agree that focus needs to be on Local Businesses and making sure people adhere to Covid guidance . To ' quote from the article ' Money should be spent wisely on our Town Centres and people should be given their say on this ' . The Pagoda was not consulted on properly and only had 28 replies ?? . If the Council wish to press ahead with this ( whether people like it or not ) it should go to a full and proper consultation as it will cost thousands and thousands and it surely isn't high priority at the moment .

Some £755,000 match funding has been secured from Historic England to deliver the 'High Street Heritage Action Zone' programme in Ormskirk.


See the article below by the leader of the council.


I wonder which Ally-way he intends to spend some of this money...... No! go on! Not the Ally-way with the Pagoda!


What extra walkways are required from the railway or the Bus station, both sited immediately adjacent to the town centre and how would this attract people to use public transport? not a word about catering for the up and coming Electric vehicles, to think people will give up these vehicles for the use of public transport may work to some extent in cities but in rural communities its simply pie in the sky.


The bus station does need a good refurb but is perfectly adequate for the towns requirements and the money better put to better use, or is this yet another attempt to develop this bus site and carpark by the back door to suit the requirements of Edge Hill.


How will the Councils current direction of filling the Town centre with inappropriate and ugly designed student accommodation be compatible with a Historic Ormskirk, I simply can’t see hordes of tourist alighting on the town to view and study student accommodation. There is already a heritage area within the town but WLBC has simply ignored this over the past ten years or so. Just how will this type of development attract tourism into the town.?


WLBC has a poor record as far as the town centre is concerned, they spent a fortune to resurface a good part of the town then did nothing to protect this investment by allowing student accommodation developers to dig it up for services then simply put tarmac down.


How will the cycle track from the railway station via the bus station benefit the residents and visitors to Ormskirk. If WLBC have a plan to incorporate cycles tracks in or around the town, then let’s here them, just closing a couple of hundred meter hear and there is meaningless.


As for residents taking part in yet more public relation exercises. I’ve been to so many I’ve lost count, and what about to the report that WLBC payed large amount of money to consultants for advice on the towns development, what happen to this and what did it achieve? So why would they?


WLBC has a poor record on listening and simply over rule what residents are telling them. WLBC, stop wasting hard won cash on political schemes there is little appetite for and start to put the needs of residents before the need of Edge Hill.

Originally Posted by reevsy

Some £755,000 match funding has been secured from Historic England to deliver the 'High Street Heritage Action Zone' programme in Ormskirk.


See the article below by the leader of the council.


I wonder which Ally-way he intends to spend some of this money...... No! go on! Not the Ally-way with the Pagoda!


What extra walkways are required from the railway or the Bus station, both sited immediately adjacent to the town centre and how would this attract people to use public transport? not a word about catering for the up and coming Electric vehicles, to think people will give up these vehicles for the use of public transport may work to some extent in cities but in rural communities its simply pie in the sky.


The bus station does need a good refurb but is perfectly adequate for the towns requirements and the money better put to better use, or is this yet another attempt to develop this bus site and carpark by the back door to suit the requirements of Edge Hill.


How will the Councils current direction of filling the Town centre with inappropriate and ugly designed student accommodation be compatible with a Historic Ormskirk, I simply can’t see hordes of tourist alighting on the town to view and study student accommodation. There is already a heritage area within the town but WLBC has simply ignored this over the past ten years or so. Just how will this type of development attract tourism into the town.?


WLBC has a poor record as far as the town centre is concerned, they spent a fortune to resurface a good part of the town then did nothing to protect this investment by allowing student accommodation developers to dig it up for services then simply put tarmac down.


How will the cycle track from the railway station via the bus station benefit the residents and visitors to Ormskirk. If WLBC have a plan to incorporate cycles tracks in or around the town, then let’s here them, just closing a couple of hundred meter hear and there is meaningless.


As for residents taking part in yet more public relation exercises. I’ve been to so many I’ve lost count, and what about to the report that WLBC payed large amount of money to consultants for advice on the towns development, what happen to this and what did it achieve? So why would they?


WLBC has a poor record on listening and simply over rule what residents are telling them. WLBC, stop wasting hard won cash on political schemes there is little appetite for and start to put the needs of residents before the need of Edge Hill.

Why not turn it into a cycle shelter? They need somewhere to keep their saddles dry now that everything cycle orientated

Originally Posted by reevsy

Some £755,000 match funding has been secured from Historic England to deliver the 'High Street Heritage Action Zone' programme in Ormskirk.


See the article below by the leader of the council.


I wonder which Ally-way he intends to spend some of this money...... No! go on! Not the Ally-way with the Pagoda!


What extra walkways are required from the railway or the Bus station, both sited immediately adjacent to the town centre and how would this attract people to use public transport? not a word about catering for the up and coming Electric vehicles, to think people will give up these vehicles for the use of public transport may work to some extent in cities but in rural communities its simply pie in the sky.


The bus station does need a good refurb but is perfectly adequate for the towns requirements and the money better put to better use, or is this yet another attempt to develop this bus site and carpark by the back door to suit the requirements of Edge Hill.


How will the Councils current direction of filling the Town centre with inappropriate and ugly designed student accommodation be compatible with a Historic Ormskirk, I simply can’t see hordes of tourist alighting on the town to view and study student accommodation. There is already a heritage area within the town but WLBC has simply ignored this over the past ten years or so. Just how will this type of development attract tourism into the town.?


WLBC has a poor record as far as the town centre is concerned, they spent a fortune to resurface a good part of the town then did nothing to protect this investment by allowing student accommodation developers to dig it up for services then simply put tarmac down.


How will the cycle track from the railway station via the bus station benefit the residents and visitors to Ormskirk. If WLBC have a plan to incorporate cycles tracks in or around the town, then let’s here them, just closing a couple of hundred meter hear and there is meaningless.


As for residents taking part in yet more public relation exercises. I’ve been to so many I’ve lost count, and what about to the report that WLBC payed large amount of money to consultants for advice on the towns development, what happen to this and what did it achieve? So why would they?


WLBC has a poor record on listening and simply over rule what residents are telling them. WLBC, stop wasting hard won cash on political schemes there is little appetite for and start to put the needs of residents before the need of Edge Hill.

Change the damn tune for once in your life!! I used to enjoy battling with you over your incessant agenda against the University but it is now truly becoming tedious. This post has absolutely nothing to do with the University or students but like always you continue to drag them into it. You’ve had a poster on here counteracting every single point you’ve made over the cycle lanes with facts but you continue to ignore it.

Knock the thing down, it’s ugly and it’s pointless but do it when the time is right. Right now focus needs to be on protecting the businesses that are here. They will struggle greatly with less students in the town keeping them alive during term time and with no students here there will be less to entice companies to open in Ormskirk so concentrate on supporting them. Then we can knock this stupid pagoda down. Or we can sit here and argue about edge hill like we only ever seem to do.

Maybe if Mr Reeves had a business in the town he would have better things to worry about !
I’m glad peoples biggest worry is a bloody pagoda that isn’t even a pagoda
meanwhile my business has just been hit with massive restrictions
but that pagoda is more important !

Originally Posted by minorityvoice

Change the damn tune for once in your life!! I used to enjoy battling with you over your incessant agenda against the University but it is now truly becoming tedious. This post has absolutely nothing to do with the University or students but like always you continue to drag them into it. You’ve had a poster on here counteracting every single point you’ve made over the cycle lanes with facts but you continue to ignore it.

Knock the thing down, it’s ugly and it’s pointless but do it when the time is right. Right now focus needs to be on protecting the businesses that are here. They will struggle greatly with less students in the town keeping them alive during term time and with no students here there will be less to entice companies to open in Ormskirk so concentrate on supporting them. Then we can knock this stupid pagoda down. Or we can sit here and argue about edge hill like we only ever seem to do.

Well-said Minorityvoice - bullies don't like it when people stand up to them, and Reevsy is someone who deliberately spouts half-truths and downright prejudiced propaganda in his unending campaign against Edge Hill, and then goes quiet when he's challenged.

To take each of your points in turn Mr Reeves:

• The bus station is not 'fit for purpose' as you describe it. It's a 70s monstrosity and a very poor entry-point into the town for visitors, with horrible toilets and the covered area being a favourite hangout for gangs of local scallies. If some of this extra money can be used to make it a safe and more welcoming facility, then why would you object to that?
• People don't visit the town to view student accommodation - they come to shop, study, work, go to the market, and visit local pubs, bars and restaurants. The student accommodation in the town centre is not intrusive (if you disagree, then please give me examples where you think it is), and has actually helped to launch new businesses in the town, such as The Old Post Office bar / restaurant where student accommodation is on the upper floors but with the bar on the ground floor for visitors to the town to enjoy. Would you have preferred the post office building to have laid empty and derelict?
• Regarding the heritage area in the town, then the planning department and committee will take that into account when deciding whether to grant planning permission. Again, please give me examples where they have allowed listed buildings to be demolished, or the historic character of the area has been damaged by planning decisions.
• "WLBC has a poor record as far as the town centre is concerned" - they've just secured £755k from external sources to spend on the town centre for God's sake! Instead of carping on about the ruling Labour administration, just stop and think about that - three-quarters of a million quid to spend on your beloved town! That's the result of hard work by Council officers and councillors to get that money - isn't that something to be celebrated?
• "How will the cycle track from the railway station via the bus station benefit the residents and visitors to Ormskirk?" Well, how about the fact that the path between the train and bus stations provides a safe, well-lit walkway from the train station into the town centre for visitors / tourists. Have you walked up the road from the train station and tried crossing over Derby Street during rush hour? And I yet again repeat that it was money from Edge Hill that paid for that path, which you appear to have conveniently forgotten...
• As for student accommodation developers digging up the town and not relaying sections properly, you're again being deliberately misleading here to try to turn people against Edge Hill, when it's utility companies who are to blame. For instance, how do you explain the poorly relaid sections outside Dorothy Perkins? What student developer was to blame for that?
• Consultation exercises work by taking into account everyone's views, and taking a balanced decision based on planning policies, funds available, and what is in the best long-term interests of people and town, even if not everyone agrees. It doesn't mean that the Council simply does what you want them to do Reevsy, which as we all know is to shut down Edge Hill, get rid of all cyclists and fill the town with more traffic, and leave town centre units empty and derelict when they could be developed for student accommodation with retail or hospitality businesses on the ground floor.

I know I'm going to get a load of anti-Edge Hill / anti-West Lancs Labour / anti-cyclist propaganda back from you, but I'll keep on challenging your prejudiced views and pointing out where you're wrong.

Spoken like a true politician!

Other historic towns/City’s manage to get the utilities to return the road surface to as was found, the example you gave does not excuse the utility companies, you’ve taken your eye off the ball and let them get a way with shoddy work.

You can’t on the one hand say everybody should walk, use a bike or Public transport then tell us you want to pull the bus station down and just use a couple of odd parking bays at one end of the plot as was preposed in your recently discredited plans. As to the state of the Bus Station and toilets. This is the responsibility of the Council who have done nothing in the way of maintenance for many years, you would sooner spend the money on stupid keep fit apparitions around the park that has never been used by anybody. How about providing proper organised youth facilities in the town or a cinema complex. If it’s good enough for Skem it should be good enough for a Ormskirk.


You still refuse to answer the question on how people with bikes are to get to the Rail/Bus station to be able to use a cycle track that simply goes to the University and already has good lighting, will they bring them on the Bus or Train, how! If WLBC have a plan for the Town including cycle tracks then put it forward. The very fact that the cycle tracks around Skem are over grown and in poor condition should tell you something.


The town side student accommodation could have been for residential purposes, single and small family occupation, you know!, people who pay council tax and live in the accommodation all year, locals also need accommodation.


As for Jester1 comment. What makes you think I’ve not got a business in the town. I do feel sorry for business such as yours however, over many years people have tried telling authorities that by allowing all these large national coffee bars into small towns such as Ormskirk, your putting all your eggs in one basket and the small, locally run establishment such as yours will suffer.


I never said WLBC had pulled down listed buildings.... they can’t do that. I should know....I live in one. The window frontage to the resent Student Accommodation on Moor Street was altered from original. It should have been replace with as was.


You ask if I’ve ever walked along the so called walk way...... YES! every single,day! Including Ruff Lane and a more pleasant walk would be hard to find...... I live there right in the middle of it all. So I can say, which is more than you have done.

Originally Posted by reevsy

Spoken like a true politician!

Other historic towns/City’s manage to get the utilities to return the road surface to as was found, the example you gave does not excuse the utility companies, you’ve taken your eye off the ball and let them get a way with shoddy work.

You can’t on the one hand say everybody should walk, use a bike or Public transport then tell us you want to pull the bus station down and just use a couple of odd parking bays at one end of the plot as was preposed in your recently discredited plans. As to the state of the Bus Station and toilets. This is the responsibility of the Council who have done nothing in the way of maintenance for many years, you would sooner spend the money on stupid keep fit apparitions around the park that has never been used by anybody. How about providing proper organised youth facilities in the town or a cinema complex. If it’s good enough for Skem it should be good enough for a Ormskirk.


You still refuse to answer the question on how people with bikes are to get to the Rail/Bus station to be able to use a cycle track that simply goes to the University and already has good lighting, will they bring them on the Bus or Train, how! If WLBC have a plan for the Town including cycle tracks then put it forward. The very fact that the cycle tracks around Skem are over grown and in poor condition should tell you something.


The town side student accommodation could have been for residential purposes, single and small family occupation, you know!, people who pay council tax and live in the accommodation all year, locals also need accommodation.


As for Jester1 comment. What makes you think I’ve not got a business in the town. I do feel sorry for business such as yours however, over many years people have tried telling authorities that by allowing all these large national coffee bars into small towns such as Ormskirk, your putting all your eggs in one basket and the small, locally run establishment such as yours will suffer.


I never said WLBC had pulled down listed buildings.... they can’t do that. I should know....I live in one. The window frontage to the resent Student Accommodation on Moor Street was altered from original. It should have been replace with as was.


You ask if I’ve ever walked along the so called walk way...... YES! every single,day! Including Ruff Lane and a more pleasant walk would be hard to find...... I live there right in the middle of it all. So I can say, which is more than you have done.

Oh dear, oh dear... where do I start?

Right, first things first, I'm not a councillor, nor do I work for the council. You say to me that "You've taken your eye off the ball" when it comes to utility companies not properly relaying where they've dug up. Err, it's not my job to make sure the surface is put back as it was! I take it we agree then that it's not the fault of student accommodation developers?

Now onto the bus station - I've never said I want to pull it down and replaced by a couple of parking bays. What are you talking about??? I want to see money invested in it so it's a facility the town can be proud of - make it bigger and increase its capacity! Let's reinstate the manned visitor information centre in there too, and how about an exhibition on the history of the town in there as well... A great use of the heritage money the council have secured!

I was not responsible for the keep fit 'apparitions' (aren't they ghosts?) in Church Fields. Why are you suggesting I was??? And what have you got against people wanting to exercise? We're hardly talking millions of pounds to put those bits of equipment in anyway.

And if you'd bothered to look, the new Merseyrail trains coming in soon will have dedicated spaces in carriages for bikes, and people already travel with bikes on the network on the existing trains:

https://www.merseyrail.org/about-mer...ew-trains.aspx

So yes, students at Edge Hill, local schoolkids, and people working at the hospital and elsewhere could cycle to, say, Maghull or another station on the line, get the train to Ormskirk, and continue cycling on to their destination rather than doing the journey by car. It's called a joined-up sustainable transport system, rather than everyone just sitting in their cars in a gridlock on the one-way system. Or is that what you would prefer?

And just for clarity as you need it spelling out, I was talking about walking up Station Approach, not Ruff Lane you fool! You try walking (or cycling) up there at the peak of rush hour on a busy weekday and crossing over Derby Street to get into the town centre - you'll be waiting a while and it's not exactly safe. In contrast, you could walk or cycle along the shiny new Edge Hill-funded pathway between the train and bus stations which gets you into the town centre safely. A great facility for the tourists you're wanting to attract, all thanks to Edge Hill! And how about disabled people as well? Far better for them too, or are you going to add people in wheelchairs to your list of people you don't like, along with cyclists, Labour politicians, Edge Hill students, and the planning department of West Lancs Council?

Originally Posted by TowerAndSteeple

Oh dear, oh dear... where do I start?

Right, first things first, I'm not a councillor, nor do I work for the council.

Mr Reeves is obsessed with knowing who we are and loves to act like he has the first idea about the people who speak against him. He's never correct.

Omg, all this fuss about a pagoda when there is a worldwide pandemic and people are losing their lives and livelihoods!!! £20,000 to demolish it, REALLY??????

I will do it myself one weekend with a couple of skips for £19000 if they like!!

Mr Reeves the so called coffee chains don’t effect us it’s a different industry
but I would like to point out that not one objection was put forward to Wetherspoons opening in the town which has done more damage than any other , can you explain why none of the residents like yourself or resident groups that you are a member of didn’t object to this ? While any other application by independent operators had lots of objections?
further more if you have a business in the town centre ( not one that is run from your living room and doesn’t incur business rates and rent )
please do tell .