Plans to improve Wirral football ground given green light ahead of new season

It is said the new stand may encourage more spectators to attend games

Andrew Spence Local Democracy Reporter

17:42, 18 Aug 2026

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The application for the football venue has been approved(Image: Jacob King/PA)

Plans to "enhance" a Merseyside football club's ground have been approved. A new stand is set to be built after plans, which "may encourage more spectators to attend games", have been given the green light by Wirral Council.

The new stand is set to be built at the home of Heswall FC. The 1891-founded club currently play in the West Cheshire 1st Division, with their home ground being Gayton Park.

The now approved application involves the demolition of an existing covered area, to make way for a new 63-seat football stand. The stand will be formed from a converted shipping container, which a council report into the plans stated "is common at similar amateur football grounds".

The three-row stand, which is said to have already been delivered to the site, has been painted yellow and blue to match the club's colours. The council's report says the newly approved stand "is considered an improvement in design terms from the previous structure on site". In addition to being seen as less visually appealing, the report adds that the existing structure "is no longer fit for purpose".

[Heswall FC's home At Gayton Park]

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Heswall FC's home at Gayton Park(Image: Google Maps)

It adds: "The site is already an established sports ground with spectator facilities and whilst the improvement to these facilities may encourage more spectators to attend games, it is not considered that the provision of a 63-seat stand would result in significant harm to the amenities of nearby residents given the established nature of the site, and distance from properties."

When the plans were submitted to the council, it was claimed: "The proposed structure will provide a safe, durable, and visually coherent facility for spectators, significantly improving the usability and appearance of the site." It also states: "The development represents a clear enhancement over the existing arrangement, which is temporary in nature, visually poor, and not fit for long-term use."

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