PHIL MAXWELL

The Art Of Self Isolation (27)

June 20, 2020

‘Spitalfields (2)’. Mixed media on card. April 2020.

Save Oglet Shore In Liverpool

June 18, 2020

I’m reposting this blog from June 2018 as the issues raised in it are as important today as they were two years ago.

The Oglet Shore (Anglo Saxon: “oak by the water”), is a magnificent designated green belt area in Liverpool. It is now under threat because of plans to cover much of it with concrete in order to extend the runway at the loss making John Lennon airport. If the plans go ahead it will destroy the habitats of wildlife including bats, barn owls and many ‘red list’, endangered, farmland birds. Peel holdings, who own the land are keen to develop the runway. Liverpool City Council have pledged to protect our parks and green spaces and also have a duty to protect and preserve this important coastal habitat, so why threaten it in the vain hope the airport will become profitable?

Last Monday evening I was invited to join a group of locals and bat expert Charlie Liggett to explore this magnificent threatened habit of wildlife. Charlie, the Chair of Merseyside & West Lancashire Bat Group, was able to confirm the presence of bats.