History

The Gorsehill Reservoir Water Tower is listed as being of special architectural and historic interest, Grade II. The Tower was build 100 years ago at the height of a boom period for New Brighton when it could afford the lavish architectural details seen on the Water Tower. Then New Brighton had its own version of Blackpool tower, a pier, a regular ferry service, outdoor swimming pools, several fairs and tens of thousands of visitors a day. Now all of this has gone save for the Gorsehill Water Tower.

We, the Tower Action Group (TAG) and many local residents appreciate the Gorsehill Water Tower and its significance to the community. The Tower is a well known landmark, dominating the skyline, featuring in local postcards, maps and calendars and visible from much of Merseyside and even the North Wales coast. The prominence of the Tower on the Wallasey horizon is shown by Figures 4 and 5.

Yet its prominence also makes it a cheap and easy option for mobile phone companies and we have been battling to maintain its dignity. There have been 17 applications from mobile phone companies in past 3 years alone¹ and 8 more likely in the next year, not including this planning appeal.