Retirement village plans submitted for former Comrades Club site in Ormskirk amid objections about lack of crown green bowling facilities in the proposals

Oct 4 2012 by Rob Pattinson, Ormskirk Advertiser

Retirement village plans submitted for former Comrades Club site in Ormskirk amid objections about lack of crown green bowling facilities in the proposals

PLANS for a 40-apartment retirement village on the site of the former Comrades Club have been submitted to West Lancs council.

McCarthy and Stone’s proposals for the Southport Road site would see a mixed development of 25 one bedroom and 15 two bedroom apartments, the majority of which would be two storey but with some three storey units.

But calls are now being made for the plans to be revised to retain crown green bowling facilities at the site.

One representation, submitted by Steve Walker, read: “At a time when bowling greens are disappearing for a variety of reasons this would seem to be an excellent opportunity to reverse the trend and encourage the growth of this community-friendly sport.”

And Eric Barklem, secretary of Halton Castle Bowling Club in Westhead, lodged on objection in which he wrote: “It is considered locally that the Comrades Club was left to the men of Ormskirk and the land if sold, a replacement club and facilities (bowling green) must be provided, those responsible for the Comrades Club should ensure the best solution for all is found.”

The private sheltered housing complex would cater for elderly people with a minimum age of 60 years old and would include 22 parking spaces for residents and visitors.

A house manager would be stationed on site during office hours, Monday to Friday while the proposals include a residents lounge, CCTV security monitoring system and landscaped gardens.

Fifty-six people attended a public exhibition to display proposals for the development in July as part of a consultation process that saw 49 responses received, with 31 supporting the plans and 12 objectors.

In documents submitted with the application the developer said that 63% of comments received through its feedback process were positive.

A website containing details of the proposals is available at www. consultation-online.co.uk/ ormskirk

McCarthy and Stone was unavailable for comment on the crown green bowling issue when the Advertiser went to press.