Irby, Thurstaston & Pensby Amenity Society
Registered Charity # 1150756
Wirral Green Belt under threat Again !!!!!!
There are plans for huge SOLAR FARMS on supposedly ‘protected’ Green Belt and
Best Quality Farmland on Wirral,
including a 70-acre Solar Farm from Thurstaston to the Wirral Country Park and Station Road to Caldy Golf Club.
The next decades would see disruption and damage during construction, harm to soil quality, loss of local food production and farming jobs, habitat destruction, protected wildlife displaced, wonderful views and walks despoiled for residents and visitors alike, harming the Tourist Economy,
Green Belt turned into Grey Belt,
and for what?
Profit for a Local Few and their
Chinese suppliers.
Community Action does carry ‘weight’
as shown before.
An Action Plan is coming but meanwhile please express your thoughts to Friends, Councillors and MPs.
Opposition to the Peak Cluster CO₂ pipeline
The project is designed to transport carbon emissions from cement and lime industries in Derbyshire and Staffordshire to the Irish Sea crossing the Wirral and Cheshire.
Concerns centre on safety, environmental impact, private land use, and the perceived effectiveness of carbon capture technology.
Key Reasons for Opposition
- Safety Risks and Asphyxiation: The pipeline will carry high-pressure liquid CO₂, which acts as an asphyxiant if a leak or rupture occurs. Residents fear that a "zipper" rupture could release a massive, invisible, and odourless plume, posing a lethal risk to nearby communities.
- Environmental Impact and "Scarring": The 200km pipeline threatens green spaces, wildlife, and landscapes across the region. Critics have described it as a permanent scar, with concerns about noise, construction disruption, and industrialisation of rural areas.
- "England's Exhaust Pipe": Residents in the Wirral are deeply concerned that their area will bear the brunt of the pollution, with an onshore facility potentially located near Meols.
- Eminent Domain and Land Access: Many farmers and landowners are being asked to sign access agreements for surveys. There is strong opposition to the potential use of Compulsory Purchase powers to force the pipeline through private land.
- False Solution to Climate Change: Opponents argue that Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) is an unproven, expensive "false solution" that allows companies to continue using fossil fuels instead of investing in truly green alternatives.
- Economic Question Marks: Critics point out that the project may not create significant long-term jobs in the affected areas, and that the technology has a history of underperforming.
Calls to Action
- Public Consultations: Residents are encouraged to attend Peak Cluster consultation events and submit feedback, as the consultation period runs until February 27, 2026.
- Seek Independent Advice: Landowners receiving letters from the project are advised not to sign anything without seeking independent legal advice.
- Contact Local Representatives: There are calls to write to MPs to express concerns regarding the project's impact on communities and the environment.
The Peak Cluster project claims the pipeline is necessary to decarbonise the cement and lime industries.
However, repeated failures highlights a deep concern as to the technology and its implementation.
IRBY Village rated in
TOP 8 UK villages
National Newspaper rates IRBY village in the
top 8 UK villages. ITPAS members and volunteers can be proud of their work.
Here is the original paper comment.
Or please click on the photo of the original paper.
HERE IS THE LINK TO THE PRESS PAGE.
6. IRBY VILLAGE, WIRRAL
Irby stretches back to Viking times but its name means 'Farmstead of the Irish'. Located on the Wirral, the village once hummed with industry: its mill ground grain to feed the community, while the quarry - now a place for climbers - provided much of the sandstone that shaped the region's buildings. 'Irby Village is a peaceful village in the heart of the peninsula,' says property expert Liam Gretton. 'It is known for Its low crime and close-knit community, all while offering easy access to the wider Wirral area and amenities.'
IRBY Primary School
During the week of 7th October IRBY primary school litter pickers completed a brilliant litter picking day. They completed the whole village
including around the car park and the Copse.
Well done to these splendid young people who were
so well behaved and really interested in keeping our village tidy.
Irby Library Reopening Confirmed
You are aware that for many years ITPAS, together with other groups, have been pushing, cajoling, campaigning and generally pushing any council official to reopen the IRBY LIBRARY.
After months of meetings it became apparent there was a saviour in the form of the Pioneer group.
You may have heard of them as the group that took over Pensby Library.
We continued to be in contact with Mark from Pioneer and our local councillors in order to help.
However for over six months of council delays we have been awaiting the announcement that the
asset transfer and therefore reopening would go ahead.
Finally the council finally agreed to the transfer and thus
IRBY LIBRARY WILL REOPEN.
Mark from Pioneer gave this comment:
“Please be assured we will retain a library service along the lines of what we do in Pensby.
We will not be having a coffee shop like our Pensby Community Library because we want to be good news to the village and not create unfair competition with the two existing coffee shops.
In addition to a Library space we will be setting up a high end charity shop, work bench space for arts, crafts and upcycling, a recycling point for bikes, tools and other targeted items and outside we will be establishing raised flower and veg beds. We will also create a relaxed space for Community to gather and run activities.
Time to opening? Very much in the gift of the Council as we need Planning to issue a change of use, Legal to issue the lease and Finance to issue a grant agreement.
Then we need to put in a kitchen area, new heating system, Library shelving and decorate.
We are committed to working with local community groups including Friends of Irby Library, ITPAS and Village Church.”
WATCH THIS SPACE.
Irby Village Flowers to be Replanted
Planters and Flower Beds replanted
The village flowers will need to be replanted with autumn and winter flowers.
We are sure you agree they look great so we need to continue during the colder months
Special thanks go to Christine and Dilys, our ITPAS flower ladies, who designed and planted ALL the flowers.
Thanks also to Freddy who supplied the muscle, carrying the 50L water tubs and the rubbish sacks !!!!!!
Also a big thank you to Thingwall Nurseries who supplied and delivered the beautiful plants and flowers.
We continue to hold events and activities and invite you to attend as many as possible.
We need your support and attendance
otherwise we cannot continue
Currently we hold multiple Irby Village Tidy-Up sessions and ITPAS talks providing really interesting and information presentations concerning our villages and Wirral areas.
Bins Cleared of VAPE Stickers
The unsightly mess of VAPE stickers on the bins has been cleared and notices placed on the bins. Although the bins are not completely clear,
they look at great deal better than before.
Irby Bins, Benches, Signs,
Notice Boards, Tree replacement
During our regular councillor meetings, we discuss the improvements and replacements needed in order to keep the villages looking their best.
Therefore you will have seen x3 new bins to replace the old and damaged ones. We are still pushing for the replacement of the remaining x5 bins.
We have been promised x5 new trees to replace the dead ones removed in 2023.
We also have started on the refurbishment of the Notice Boards.
We also need to replace / refurbish x5 wooden benches in Irby Village. These again have been put in the "ToDo" queue and we await a response.
If you can help let us know
We need to maintain our membership numbers to continue with our work.
We are all volunteers but we fund to pay for our activities.
If we fail to support our villages and amenities then the work we have completed to protect the wonderful areas we live in will be wasted.
Please ask your friends and family to support us by joining ITPAS HERE.
Also if you can DONATE to our activities please use this link.
The 20mph speed limit will go ahead over the next few weeks.
Parking in the Roslin Road car park will be subject to charges.
This will be introduced over the next month or so. However on road parking will remain as a 2 hour limit and it WILL be policed.