Ambitious Strawberry Field plans set for green light

Ambitious plans to revive Liverpool’s iconic Strawberry Field site, the former children’s home which inspired one of The Beatles’ greatest hits, are on the verge of securing the green light.The Salvation Army Trustee Company’s full planning application to demolish existing 1970s buildings on a 2.7-acre site in Woolton and construct a new building incorporating an adult training centre, a visitor centre, a café and a gift shop are due to go before Liverpool City Council’s planning committee on Tuesday, 14 November 2017.The proposed training centre would accommodate 40 young adults with learning difficulties and additional support needs while the visitor centre would display the original gates and include information about the Salvation Army and John Lennon’s association with the site.The former Strawberry Field children’s home was the inspiration for Strawberry Fields Forever, with Lennon having played in its grounds as a child. The children’s home closed in 2005.The Hoskins Architects-designed scheme envisages keeping the famous Strawberry Field gates permanently closed to encourage visitors to take photos. However, a new pedestrian gate would be formed in the wall next to the gates.The vision has also been welcomed by Liverpool mayor Joe Anderson and The Beatles Legacy Group chairman Peter Hooton.This year marks the 50th anniversary of the release of Strawberry Fields Forever.