By Total Tranmere
September 8 2011
The Tranmere Rovers Trust have announced today that they have added their support to Rovers’ plans to redevelop the Ingleborough Road playing fields amid public controversy over a War Memorial at the site…..

The Tranmere Rovers Trust (The Trust) has today officially added its support to Tranmere Rovers’ plans to redevelop the Ingleborough Road Playing Fields and the linked redevelopment of the Woodchurch Leisure Centre site.
The Trust’s board met this week to discuss the issue and resolved to fully support Tranmere Rovers’ planning applications. The board believes that the developments offer a great opportunity to enhance the sporting infrastructure of the Wirral and also to improve the status of the memorial to those former pupils of the Birkenhead Institute who lost their lives in WW1.
At present the memorial, which has recently been the figure of protests from some local residents, is little known and hidden away within the pavilion. The proposed development will allow the memorial to be re-sited in a landscaped garden, therefore allowing full public access.

The Trust Board believes that the related development of the Leisure Centre in Woodchurch will also enhance the sporting facilities for residents and local sports clubs and schools, as well as offering Tranmere Rovers the opportunity to improve the training facilities for both the first team and the club's extensive youth system.
Speaking of the development plans and the Trust’s decision to support the ideas, Trust chairman Ben Harrison said:
“We are aware of the issue of a war memorial at Ingleborough but we think it is in the interests of the community, the club and supporters that the two developments go ahead. We welcome the development at the Woodchurch Leisure Centre which can improve the sporting facilities for people in the area. The community as a whole should benefit.”
“The other important issue is that this scheme reduces the club’s level of debt. This will help to ensure the long term stability of the club. Tranmere Rovers FC is a great ambassador for the Wirral as a whole, providing publicity for an area that is often overshadowed by its proximity to Liverpool.”
“The club also contribute much towards the local community, with engagement at local schools and charities. We hope that the wider benefits of this scheme are properly considered. Tranmere Rovers have clearly gone to great efforts to preserve the integrity of the war memorial that is currently unavailable for public viewing. This development will enhance public knowledge of and access to the memorial.”
The Trust board is encouraging those both for and against the proposals to add their comments via Wirral Borough Council's website at www.wirral.gov.uk/planning. The application number is: OUT/11/00897.
The Trust is also currently running a campaign to raise funds towards a potential buyout of Tranmere Rovers’ majority shareholder Peter Johnson. Supporters can choose from a Gold Option (£300), Corporate Option (£500) or Basic Option (£50). There will also be the facility to pay for the Gold Option with monthly payments.
Online payment options can be found on the Trust’s website www.tranmereroverstrust.co.uk
Further information can be obtained on the website or by e-mailing info@tranmereroverstrust.co.uk

Quote:Total Tranmere
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