Redrow Liverpool miniature railway set to move to make way for Redrow development
A popular miniature railway in Calderstones Park, Liverpool may have to move to a new location to make way for a 51-home development by Redrow Homes. The railway has been run by the Merseyside Live Steam and Model Engineers Club for 75 years. Redrow's plans include restoring the Grade II-listed Beechley House to create six apartments and two duplex units, converting the summerhouse into one self-contained property and the stables into three mews properties, and building four new mews houses and 35 detached family homes. New sites will have to be found for Beechley riding stables and the CalderKids playground.

A popular miniature railway in a Liverpool park is set to expand when it moves to a new home.

The railway in Calderstones Park could move across the park to make way for a controversial Redrow Homes housing scheme.

The railway has been run by volunteers from the Merseyside Live Steam and Model Engineers club for some 75 years. They offer free rides to children most Sunday afternoons.

Club chairman Arthur Brooks says the proposed move – which will also give the railway its own clubhouse – will allow the railway to open more often and welcome more visitors.

The railway is currently based off Harthill Road, near the Beechley Riding Stables and CalderKids Adventure Playground.

The club has now applied for planning permission to move to a more central position within the park.

Mr Brooks said: “Our current facility is restrictive in its size and access, limiting the size of the engines we can use and visitors to the club.

“By relocating to an enhanced facility in the park itself this will increase the visibility of the club, encouraging more visitors whilst also permitting the club to run larger engines on the new improved track. The proposed new clubhouse facilities are welcomed by the club.

“The new layout of both tracks with larger radii will greatly increase the safety factor and, with the proposed new clubhouse facilities. It will make it more suitable for the disabled and people with walking problems to have full access.”

If the club wins planning permission, the club hopes to move by the end of 2017. Before then, the club will continue to operate the railway on most Sundays at 2pm.

Deputy mayor Cllr Ann O’Byrne said: “The Miniature Railway is a much-loved facility which has been used by generations of local families.

“This proposal would see it moved to a more prominent location giving them improved and enhanced facilities and enabling even more people to enjoy it in the future.”

Housing development plan steams ahead

The railway move is the first step in a scheme that would see a new housing development built in Harthill Road.

But that development has been opposed by some local residents.

Redrow Homes is planning to build 51 new homes on the site currently occupied by the railway, Beechley Riding Stables and CalderKids.

The council is planning to move the stables to a new home in Clarke Gardens, next to Allerton Hall. A feasibility study is ongoing.

Talks are also ongoing over moving the playground. The council said “its existing premises have already been deemed unfit for purpose” and added: “An appropriate venue has been identified for Calderkids and discussions with the landowner are ongoing”.

Redrow’s plans include restoring the Grade II-listed Beechley House to create six apartments and two duplex units, while its summerhouse would be converted into one self-contained property.

The stables would be converted into three mews properties while four “new build-mews” will be erected next to Beechley House.

Finally, 35 new detached family homes will be built alongside.

The Redrow scheme has been developed under the Liverpool Housing Partnership, a collaboration between the council, Redrow and Liverpool Mutual Homes that aims to build 1,500 new homes over five years. The council says the money raised by selling off the Harthill Road land will be used to fund the relocation of the stables, playground and railway. It will also fund “off-site affordable housing” and improvements within Calderstones Park.

But some local residents opposed to the scheme are trying to get the Harthill land “Village Green” status to protect it from development.

In August Rosemary Brice, chairman of the Friends of Harthill & Calderstones Park said: “Ever since 1914 when the Harthill Estate was purchased by the council to join with the Calderstones Estate they have been recognised as being one unit and as being one facility for local people.

“This land is much loved by local people and indeed by the people from all over the city who use it”.