Knowsley Online

Kind Huyton Students up for national award

Kind hearted pupils from a Knowsley school have won an award for helping their neighbours fight crime and their fear of crime.

Anti social behaviour was causing some problems for residents of a sheltered housing scheme near Huyton Arts and Sports Centre for Learning.

Some pupils had been using Marshfield Close as a short cut to and from school and this had caused some damage and made the residents anxious.

The students realised that fear of crime had become the problem and this  stemmed from a lack of any relationship between the two groups.

They set up a project to promote a positive image of young people and invited the residents to come to some of the after school activities.

The residents held sessions to teach the young people how to knit and the students entertained them with acting, singing and bingo.

New plans for Kirkby now on display

Plans for the redevelopment of Kirkby town centre will be on display from tomorrow for the entire community to view.

Knowsley Council has set up a ‘Kirkby drop-in shop’ in the heart of the town centre to give the community a chance to come and view the proposals, ask questions and share their views on the application submitted by Spenhill, the regeneration subsidiary of Tesco.

The consultation will take place in the town centre at 24, St.Chad’s Parade on the following dates:

• Wednesday 20th October 2010 (10am – 3pm)
• Thursday 21st October 2010 (10am – 3pm)
• Friday 22nd October 2010 (10am – 3pm)
• Saturday 23rd October 2010 (10am – 3pm)

Nick Kavanagh, Knowsley Council’s Executive Director of Regeneration, Economy & Skills commented:

“The people of Kirkby have always been clear that they want to play a part in the redevelopment of their town and we are keen to let them do that. We have already asked the community for their views on what they would like to see in a new and improved town centre and now we are giving them a chance to see the proposals that have been submitted to redevelop the town centre.

Stockbridge Village Apprentices Building a future

Young jobless people are to start building apprenticeships thanks to a partnership between Knowsley Council and construction company Morgan Sindall.

The six apprentices will work on the major regeneration of Stockbridge Village and Park Brow Primary School project with Morgan Sindall.

Candidates for the posts were assessed and interviewed by Knowsley Works - the council team that helps the long term unemployed into jobs. Morgan Sindall selected the final six.

Two of the young people will train to be technical staff. The other four will learn a variety of different trades to become multi-skilled operatives.

The two-year apprenticeships will be spent mostly on site and the trainees will learn about all aspects of the construction industry.

The multi-million pound regeneration of Stockbridge Village will also create other opportunities for local people in trade and labouring.

“It’s so important that local people get a share of the work that’s created in their area,” said Cllr Dave Lonergan, Knowsley’s cabinet member for regeneration, economy and skills.

Stockbridge Village regeneration gets the go ahead

The multi-million regeneration Stockbridge Village centre has been given the formal go ahead by Knowsley Council’s Planning Committee.

The committee agreed unanimously to approve the proposals that include the creation of a new swimming pool, state-of-the-art gym and leisure facilities, learning resource centre, police access point, primary school, Children’s Centre and Family Centre, multi-use games area (MUGA) and a supermarket.

Cllr Dave Lonergan, Knowsley Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Economy & Skills commented:

“This is fantastic news and I am delighted that these ambitious plans have received the stamp of approval by the planning committee. This regeneration project will completely transform Stockbridge Village centre and provide first class facilities and spaces for the local community to enjoy.

The redevelopment of Stockbridge Village has long since been a major priority for the council and we have worked extremely hard with our partners to bring to life the aspirations of the community.”

Work has already begun to clear the site and prepare the area for redevelopment. Building work to construct the new facilities will commence later this month with the new primary school due to be the first completed part of the scheme in autumn 2011.

“This regeneration will make a real difference to people’s lives,” said Knowsley’s Executive Director for Regeneration, Economy and Skills, Nick Kavanagh.

“We worked long and hard to find out what local people felt they needed and the planning approval means we can now realise a long held ambition to make a difference here.”

“This is an exciting project for the Stockbridge Village community and we are thrilled we have been chosen to deliver these major improvements which will transform the everyday lives of residents,” says Barry Roberts, Morgan Sindall area director. “These changes will have a tremendous impact on the local economy during the construction process and upon completion by generating local job opportunities.”

“We have considerable experience of delivering complex schemes like this and we understand the logistics involved in completing multiple phases on time and to the highest standard.”

The regeneration proposals complement other development projects in the area, including an extension to the health centre and provision of a new Play Pathfinder scheme in the heart of the village centre. This work also supports activity by the council and partners to improve the everyday life experiences and opportunities for residents.

Architect drawing of the proposed new look Stockbridge Village centre, including the proposed new supermarket.

 Architect drawing of the proposed new primary school complete with first floor playdeck (view from Custley Hey).

 

School children get creative in Stockbridge Village

Pupils from Nine Tree and Brookside primary schools in Stockbridge Village, have been showing off their artistic skills by designing and painting hoardings to surround the development of their new school.

The new Stockbridge Village Primary school development, which is part of a bigger project to regenerate the village centre, will create a new one form entry community primary school, Children’s Centre and Family Centre. This will replace the existing Brookside and Nine Tree primary schools and is due to open early autumn 2011.

The pupils were asked to come up with ideas of what they wanted their new school and village square to look like and imagine how they could use the facilities once built.

Ray Clarke is Senior Project Manager with Morgan Sindall, the appointed contractor for the development, he said: “We really wanted the school children to feel a part of their new school and this kind of project really helps to do that.

“By imagining the new space and buildings, the children are able to really think creatively about how they want to use the facilities and prepare themselves for the exciting changes to come to their area. The hoardings will be put up in the next couple of weeks and the children’s artwork will be on display for the local community to enjoy.”

Cllr Dave Lonergan, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Economy and Skills said: “I’ve been really impressed by the creativity the children have shown and how they have really brought their ideas to life in their paintings.

“The regeneration of Stockbridge Village project will be a great boost for the area and provide a range of facilities for the whole community to enjoy. We see young people as key to the future success of the area and therefore it is wonderful that we have been able to engage with them so early on in the building process. The community in Stockbridge Village have always been so supportive of our plans and we will continue to involve them in all aspects of our work here.”

  The primary school is part of the new village centre for Stockbridge Village. This major regeneration project will provide a range of new facilities for the community and transform the area, creating a vibrant village centre. This will include a Children's Centre and Family Centre, community facilities, and a new neighbourhood centre including a swimming pool, leisure facilities and library.

The multi–million pound project also includes retail premises and extensive improvements to public open spaces including a new bus stop, games pitches, play facilities, car parking and soft landscaping.

For more updates visit www.knowsley.gov.uk 

Cllr Dave Lonergan (right), Knowsley’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Economy and Skills and Ray Clarke (left), Senior Project Manager from Morgan Sindall with children from Brookside Primary School painting the hoardings.

Cllr Dave Lonergan (left), Knowsley’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Economy and Skills and Ray Clarke (right), Senior Project Manager from Morgan Sindall with children from Nine Trees Primary and their finished hoardings.

Schools Adjudicator approves new primary school for Stockbridge Village

Following public consultation Knowsley Council has been given approval by the independent Schools Adjudicator to establish a new 210 place primary school in Stockbridge Village. The school will form part of a new children and family centre as part of the council’s wider redevelopment of Stockbridge Village.

It is proposed that the new school will open on 1 September 2011 and be situated at The Croft, Stockbridge Village, Knowsley L28 1SU.

The new school will replace Brookside Community Primary School and Nine Tree Community Primary School. It is expected to open on 1 September 2011, with building work beginning over the summer.

Knowsley Council’s Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Cllr Graham Wright, said:

“Knowsley Council is committed to providing a diverse school system offering excellence and choice to all of the young people who live and go to school in the borough.

“Following the pioneering developments in our secondary sector, we are now taking forward proposals to modernise provision for primary school children.”

A glimpse of the future in Stockbridge Village Centre

People who live and work in Stockbridge Village have today attended an exhibition event that showcased new images of a major regeneration project that is set to transform their village centre.

The multi-million pound plans include the creation of a new swimming pool, state of the art gym and leisure facilities, a learning resource centre, primary school, children’s centre and family centre, outdoor play facilities, a multi-use games area (MUGA) and a supermarket. In addition, there are plans for enhanced bus facilities and work is already underway to extend the health centre.

The exhibition event, organised by Knowsley Council, was well attended by the community, both young and old, who came along to take their own glimpse into the future for their area.

Stockbridge ward Councillor Bill Weightman commented:

”It’s been a really exciting and positive event and it was a great opportunity for the community to come together and view the plans, new images and scale model.

Plans for new-look Village go on show

Plans showcasing a multi-million pound new look for Stockbridge Village go on show next Tuesday.

An event hosted by Knowsley Council at the Space for Sports and Arts, next to St Brigid's Catholic Primary School on Waterpark Drive will show residents images of their town’s future, which will include a new supermarket, swimming pool, library, primary school, children’s centre, play facilities and more.

Residents are now being encouraged to come along on Tuesday, March 16, from 12-7pm to view the plans and have their say.
On show will be a scale model of how the village centre will look and view images and artists impressions which will provide a clear vision of how the area is to be developed.

The multi-million pound plans include the creation of a new swimming pool, state of the art gym and leisure facilities, a learning resource centre, primary school, Children’s Centre and Family Centre, outdoor play facilities, a multi-use games area (MUGA) and a supermarket. In addition, there are plans for enhanced bus facilities. These improvements will complement the work already underway in relation to the Play Pathfinder and extension to the health centre.

The project is being led by Nick Kavanagh, Knowsley Council’s Executive Director Regeneration, Economy & Skills.

Future plans for Stockbridge Village open to the public

People who live and work in Stockbridge Village are being invited to an exhibition event that will allow them to take a look into the future for their area.

The event, organised by Knowsley Council, will showcase plans and images of a multi-million pound regeneration project that is set to transform Stockbridge Village centre.

The event will take place on Tuesday, March 16 (12-7pm). All members of the community are encouraged to attend, especially those who have been to some of the previous events in the area and played a part in shaping the plans to this point.

Local ward councillor Bill Weightman said: “The community have been so important in helping us to develop these proposals and we have been really pleased with the support they have given at the previous events we have held. We have asked residents what they would like to see in the area, developed plans around this feedback and gained support from the community to deliver this project.

“This latest event is a really exciting chance for residents to come together and get a first glimpse of how this development will transform their area.”

Those attending will be able to see a scale model of how their village centre will look and view images and artists impressions which will provide a clear vision of how their area is to be developed.

The multi-million pound plans include the creation of a new swimming pool, state of the art gym and leisure facilities, a learning resource centre, primary school, children’s centre and family centre, outdoor play facilities, a multi-use games area (MUGA) and a supermarket. In addition, there are plans for enhanced bus facilities. These improvements will complement the work already underway in relation to the Play Pathfinder and extension to the health centre.

The project is being led by Nick Kavanagh, Knowsley Council’s Executive Director Regeneration, Economy & Skills, who said: “This is an exciting and ambitious project and one that will make such a difference to the area and its residents. The planned development will create a range of new buildings and facilities to once again create a vibrant heart at the centre of the village.”

“The physical enhancements we have planned are part of a wider project with our partners to make meaningful social and economic improvements to the area. This work will involve a variety of concentrated activity over the coming years, including work to reduce crime or the perception of safety in the area to supporting the long term unemployed to access the right training to prepare them for work.”

Charlotte has the recipe for success

It was second time lucky for school cook Charlotte Baker when she entered the Knowsley heat of the School Chef of the Year competition.

Charlotte – catering supervisor at Nine Tree Primary School, Stockbridge Village, beat off the competition to take the top spot in the Knowsley heat held at Kirkby Sports College Centre for Learning. Having entered the competition once before, Charlotte was delighted when judges named her the winner – with a guaranteed place in the regional final in spring next year.

The competition called on the school chefs to produce, in just one and a half hours, a healthy, balanced main course meal and dessert that would appeal to 11 year olds in school. A maximum of £1.20 per head was allowed for the food.

And Charlotte wowed the judges with her Spanish themed meal of Frittatas for the main dish and Seville orange mousse for the delicious dessert.