Residents of Hartley's Village, a historic model community in Liverpool, are battling against an 'illegal' fence and plant equipment that appeared overnight on their communal square. The land, which has been used as a recreation space for over a century, is now blocked off, sparking outrage and a council enforcement notice.
Heart of the Community Blocked
Hartley's Village was built by William Pickles Hartley for workers at his nearby jam factory. The square behind the 49 homes once featured a tennis court and bowling green, which were replaced by hard standing in the 1970s. Residents have used the space under an agreement that anything placed on it can be removed. The entire village is a conservation area due to its Victorian-manufacturing philanthropy significance, meaning strict planning rules apply.
Stephen Lancaster-Frankland, chair of the Hartley's Village Residents Association, said: "It is quite literally the heart of our community. We haven't had a single letter from anyone to say this was going on." He noted that in December 2024, people measured the land, and in April 2025, equipment was dumped. In June, the fence was erected despite claims of planning permission for overspill storage.
Council Enforcement Notice Issued
Liverpool Council's enforcement team visited the site and issued a notice on June 28, 2026, ordering the removal of all fence posts, panels, and gates by July 28, unless an appeal is made. The notice states the fence contravenes the village's design principles by undermining the conservation area's significance and adversely impacting its character.
According to the Land Registry, the land was bought by NWMS Property Ltd from Paul Waite and Gerard Waite in September 2024 for £35,000. The company is registered at an address on London Road, Liverpool, linked to Nationwide Management Services. Directors Jennifer Farrier and Tracy Riley signed the documents, though Farrier denied any connection to NWMS when contacted by the Liverpool Echo.
Residents Fear for Safety
Alison Coppack, a 13-year resident whose home backs onto the square, said: "We don't know what's being brought in. They're going to have the alley gates open but there are lots of pets, children and vulnerable people around here, it's dangerous." Lancaster-Frankland added: "This is the biggest threat we've had in the 20 years that I've lived here. Everything we're trying to do in terms of regeneration will be delayed by this."
A Liverpool Council spokesperson said: "The contractors and landowners have been advised that the erection of the fence is not acceptable and is undertaken at their own risk. We will take further enforcement action if it is not removed."
