Since the establishment of Hoylake as a seaside town by the late Victorians Hoylake was renowned for its golden sands – a beautiful amenity beach for use by young and old alike and also used by a variety of wading birds, which were attracted by the mudflats and feeding grounds that Hoylake amenity beach and Meols Beach offered.

In the 1980’s, Hoylake Beach was granted the status of Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) by Natural England. With the support of Wirral Borough Council’s (WBC’s) beach management programme, this meant that man and nature co-existed in harmony and in line with the demands of being an SSSI. Regular raking of the beach ensured that Spartina grass, which is regularly found in coastal salt marshes, did not become the dominant force on the beach.

Wirral Borough Council ended the beach management programme in 2019 after it made the fateful decision to spray the whole beach with chemicals against the wishes of all in Hoylake. Spartina grass is rapidly taking over inhabiting Hoylake Beach, having an impact on both birdlife and human enjoyment of the beach. Today the beginnings of a salt marsh is evident for all to see. As is the rise of toxic plants such as hemlock. Our campaign seeks to reinstate the amenity beach for the benefit of all, from King's Gap Slipway to the new Lifeboat Station.

Hoylake Beach Community believe that there’s room on the beach to accommodate everyone’s needs! Red Rocks already has a nature reserve and the beach at Meols is used by the birds for which the SSSI status was given to in the first place predating what is happening now. Meols beach is now being affected by the dreadful state of Hoylake Beach with the spread of spartina grass there affecting the mudflats and feeding grounds the birds previously had access to.

Hoylake Beach Community are seeking funds to help us work to restore Hoylake Amenity Beach for both us and for future generations. These funds will cover campaign costs and any professional/legal fees and legal challenge and any subsequent Judical Review that may arise from this. We may require. Funds are also needed for the regular maintenance of the beach should we be successful in our campaign and also the promande where the green netting was put up by Hoylake Beach Community volunteers which has successfully reduced the volume of windblown sand settling on the prom and roads. and of course in people's back gardens. The netting is maintained throughout the year.

Any leftover donations at the end of the campaign and when all legal bills and costs are paid for will be donated to Hoylake RNLI

Our official campaign website can be found here

https://www.hoylakebeachcommunity.co.uk

Thank You