Moss Side Lake, a community lake in Maghull, Merseyside, is drying up, leading to the deaths of fish and birds and posing safety risks to children. Residents have expressed despair over the lack of action from developer Persimmon Homes, despite promises of remedial works.
Background and History
The lake, located between School Lane and Park Lane, is part of the Poppy Fields housing estate built on the former Moss Side Hospital site. The hospital treated World War I soldiers for shell shock, and the lake was used for their recovery. Persimmon Homes completed the development, but the lake's water table has been depleted since then, causing it to dry out periodically.
Wildlife Deaths and Safety Incidents
In July 2025, the Liverpool ECHO reported the lake drying up, resulting in dead animals decomposing in the water. In 2026, a second gosling was found tangled in fishing wire, following a similar death the previous month. Safety concerns escalated when a person had to be rescued by Merseyside Fire and Rescue after becoming trapped in mud up to waist height.
Kay Molloy, a resident since 2020, said: "Unfortunately Moss Side lake is drying out again and we are at a stalemate with Persimmon who have done nothing since last year, and sadly, the wildlife is dying again. Just this week, we found a second gosling with fishing wire tangled around it. One died last month because of the same issue."
Fencing Dispute and Administrative Error
After pressure, Persimmon agreed to fund Heras fencing and safety signage around the lake. However, the fencing was removed in January 2026, prompting renewed concerns. Residents were later charged over £8,000 for the fencing, which RMG, the management company, attributed to an administrative error. An RMG spokesperson said: "This was an administrative error that is being corrected and accounts are expected to show a surplus rather than the previously reported overspend. We apologise for the confusion and concern to residents."
Investigations and Persimmon's Response
A drainage survey found no damage to the drainage network, but the lake's inlets are not connected to any water source. A working theory suggests the inlets were historically connected to the old hospital buildings, which were demolished pre-development. Residents claim Persimmon has not completed promised works or conducted the required five-year Landscape and Ecological Management Plan review.
Cllr David Leatherbarrow, who lives on the estate, said: "Over the summer (2025), there were tonnes of fish that died there, birds and a Canadian goose were reported dead. We reported it, but nothing appeared to be done. Now we’re in a situation where it’s not fenced off anymore in any meaningful, safe way. If any kids go in there to fish, they’ve got a layer of water and silt which could go above their heads."
He added: "In early June I attended a meeting with Persimmon senior management... Although we have been assured a long term solution has now been found to control and maintain water levels into the future, it was disappointing to hear that no short term solution has even been considered."
A Persimmon Homes North West spokesperson said: "Responsibility for the management and maintenance of the site rests with the appointed management company for the estate, RMG. Persimmon has responded to residents’ concerns by voluntarily funding additional ecological works, investigations and temporary safety measures. Independent investigations found no defect affecting the pond and confirmed that water levels rise and fall naturally in response to weather and seasonal conditions. Despite this, Persimmon remains willing to fund and deliver further works to the pond at no cost to residents."
