Neighbors oppose Haverford School master plan proposal to close Panmure Road

Several residents told the board they oppose a Haverford School master‑plan concept discussed at a June 18 community meeting that would close a section of Panmure Road and convert it to playing fields.

Charles Birch, a 40‑year resident, read a letter explaining strong neighborhood opposition to closing the public roadway. Birch said closing Panmure would permanently eliminate a public street that belongs to township residents, create more traffic and noise near homes on Oakley Road, and set a precedent for private institutions to acquire public infrastructure. Birch also noted that the Main Line Arts Center had expressed opposition at the community meeting.

Susan Cannon raised additional concerns: closing Panmure would push neighborhood traffic to a crash‑prone intersection in neighboring Lower Merion, the proposed plan would lower new fields 6–8 feet and could increase flood risk for neighbors south of the site, and the plan may create a ‘‘flag lot’’ situation with remaining houses on Panmure. The transcript records that no formal application has been submitted to the township yet.

Commissioner Cavender (addressing residents) and other commissioners said they welcome further resident feedback and that any formal application would trigger the regular review process; Cavender invited residents to send comments to the school’s communications address and to the township.

What happens next: the Haverford School had presented the concept at a community meeting but has not filed a formal plan with the township; residents were urged to provide written feedback to the school and commissioners said they will monitor and participate in future application review if and when one is filed.