Wirral's independent local news website The consultation is about reintroducing the Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) that had been in place covering the industrial retail and residential areas around Riverview Road in Bromborough for the last three years That original order was introduced after complaints of anti-social behaviour involving large numbers of motor vehicles together with large numbers of spectators gathering and holding races along public highways in the area That order had been largely successful in addressing those complaints and reducing the number of incidents similar complaints of anti-social behaviour were starting to increase including Wirral Council and Merseyside Police with the support of businesses and residents in the area As well as causing nuisance and potential dangers the activity also resulted in damage to the highway and street furniture The area for the proposed renewal of the PSPO incorporates public roads bounded between A41 New Chester Road from Old Hall Road to Old Court House Road to the River Mersey this also includes private derelict industrial land It also covers public car parks on the Croft Retail Park along with multiple shopping and leisure venues including restaurants There is a map of the area covered by the PSPO on the consultation web pages A PSPO is a provision created by the Anti-Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014 It is intended to deal with particular nuisances or problems in a defined area that are considered to be detrimental to the local community’s quality of life It can do this by imposing conditions on the use of that area which will apply to everyone so that the majority of people can enjoy the public space The Council has the power to implement PSPOs with the purpose of stopping individuals or groups committing anti-social behaviour in public spaces do anything that the person is prohibited from doing by a Public Spaces Protection Order A person guilty of such an offence is liable to a fine on prosecution (currently a maximum of £1,000) Authorised officers can issue a Fixed Penalty Notice (£100) if appropriate Details of how to get involved in the consultation can be found on the Have Your Say consultation site Image: https://depositphotos.com/ Email us at news@birkenhead.news Sign our campaign for a grant funding review Plans from Grammont Group and Black Pearl Homes to redevelop a former biofuels site off Dock Road South into 975 homes are in line for approval next week The joint venture submitted separate applications to build the homes in 2022 Grammont controls a site earmarked for 564 homes while Black Pearl controls a site designated for another 377 and four-bedroom houses and 198 one- and two-bed apartments It would be built on a 35.5-acre portion of the site Black Pearl’s project would deliver 265 two- and four-bedroom houses and 112 one- and two-bedroom apartments This part of the scheme was originally going to be much larger but has been reduced by around 200 units since plans were first lodged The homes would be constructed on 22.4 acres of the wider plot The two developments would provide a total of six affordable homes well below the 20% set out in council policy which will be retested at a later date to see if more affordable homes can be delivered Wirral Council has recommended the projects should be approved subject to final sign off by the secretary of state GL Hearn is advising the developers on design and Cre8 Land and Planning is the planning consultant for both projects To learn more about these applications search for reference numbers OUT/22/00957 and OUT/22/00956 on Wirral Council’s planning portal Read our comments policy Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" if only there were better and more playgrounds and some more exciting architecture thrown in and what about primary school is everybody expected to drive to port sunlight you can do better and aim for excellence next to two listed villages : Price and Port Sunlight Less lazy computer plotting more imagination and vision Did the applicants submit prematurely with a half-baked submission or was this down to poor management by Wirral Council’s planning department Surely a development of this scale had some pre-application discussions to iron out anything prior to submission Surely if having affordable homes is one of the main goals we shouldn’t be wasting this opportunity by approving a project which does NOT meet the goals Where are there 1000+ new people going to register for a dentist/GP/school Maximise green spaces which at least have some evidence behind them for supporting better mental health Wirral Council do not have the local community at the heart of any point 6 social housing homes is a poor at best and negligence at worst Put a third party company’s profit over the people who the council are supose to be supporting It will be very interesting to see what else has been agreed in section 106 The roads in this area where for low volume industrial/light commercial traffic bromborough pool housing project and the old hall/riverside housing project all within a short distance of each other At the centre of this is the croft shopping area and commercial estate How are these roads expected to take the traffic Imagine the traffic at school run times as there are no nearby schools 6 Affordable homes isn’t good enough for a development of this magnitude Design choices aside it’s really good to see this long neglected brownfield site recycled If we want more recycling of brownfield the trade is things like ‘affordable housing’ For such a prominent waterfront site the design quality is hugely disappointing Do any of the people commenting on a website for property news understand how affordable housing provision works The developer effectively subsidies the affordable housing If the economics of the development don’t allow more than 6 affordable homes there is little the council can do – other than refuse the whole development and lose the benefit of hundreds of new homes Contractor J Freeley will begin what is expected to be an 18-week programme bringing down a municipal building at Seaview Road in Liscard to make way for affordable housing Plans are in for the development of a fitness and wellness club at Bidston Dock providing both indoor and outdoor facilities Register for free North West property intelligence Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value" Join more than 13,000 property professionals and sign up to receive your free daily round-up of built environment news direct to your inbox By subscribing, you are agreeing to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy. Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_3" ).setAttribute( "value" B8RE and Legat Owen are joint agents on the scheme The occupier has signed a 10-year lease on a 15,000 sq ft unit within phase one of Croft Trade Park Medequip has relocated from within Bromborough to Redsun Projects’ speculatively built scheme The company joins Lok’nStore (trading as Shurgard) which acquired a 24,000 sq ft industrial unit for self-storage a Starbucks café and Wendy’s at the development said: “To have successfully let phase one is testament to the high quality product which Redsun has created here “Whilst the scheme was designed as a trade counter development it is a great result to see phase one let as a whole given the lack of grade A availability in the local area.” The deal has also paved the way for the start of a second phase which will see 27,000 sq ft developed across six units Redsun’s design and project team includes Fletcher Rae A total of 242 homes could be built on the long derelict site off Old Hall Road in Bromborough The site was sold by Wirral Council earlier this year while another next door also earmarked for development was sold for £13m is behind the new scheme and said a new planning application as well as contracts with Wirral Council was a “significant milestone” in the project and four-bedroom homes with 20% of them being affordable The first homes could be finished as early as spring 2026 with new public open spaces as well as a play area The local authority approved nearly 1,000 homes near the River Mersey in Bromborough on 7 February indicating major changes could soon be coming to the area “Northstone remains dedicated to delivering high-quality homes that meet both current and future living needs This development not only regenerates a previously underutilised site but also aligns with the company’s vision of creating sustainable and well-connected communities “This marks the first of our contracts for this year but we are firmly in the market for new sites across the North West and whilst much of the pipeline to date has been from the Peel portfolio our sights are now firmly on growing beyond that as this contract demonstrates “We look forward to fostering new contacts and nurturing existing relationships to continue on our journey providing mixed tenure communities with homes for sale rent or shared ownership and also working with investors and RP’s to deliver choice and affordability.” A date has yet to be confirmed for the proposals to go before Wirral Council Lead image: What new homes could look like on the former Ministry of Defence site Plans from Grammont Group and Black Pearl Homes to redevelop a former biofuels site off Dock Road South into 975 homes were unanimously approved despite only six of the proposed homes being affordable due to viability constraints Councillors approved the two applications and attached a condition requiring the viability of the project to be retested at a later date to see if more affordable homes could be delivered the developers said they are in talks over securing grant funding for the scheme that would help them meet the 20% affordable provision set out in Wirral Council’s local plan The developers said in a joint statement: “This project has been years in the making and represents a significant opportunity to transform a neglected industrial site into a thriving riverside community “It was pleasing to hear the support from the committee and their understanding of the need for this type of regeneration project to bring new homes and amenities to an in-demand area like Bromborough.” Sign up to our campaign to tackle the viability crisis BOOK NOW: Liverpool City Region Development Update 2025 It is great to see another stretch of the Mersey become accessible to the general public councillors from all parties unanimously approved a new parking strategy for the borough that could generate £15m for the local authority in the long run Wirral Council said the new proposed charges were to help deliver this policy and in July a budget report said parking charges would be needed to help balance the local authority’s finances and close a £300,000 shortfall in its parking budget Those operating businesses in and around Bromborough Village Road and Allport Lane feel that the change could be another blow to the area after the loss of banks Bromborough Village Road and Allport Lane is dotted with a number of businesses and a butcher that people told the LDRS is still hanging on despite the competition of Croft Retail Park just down the road The area sits at a sort of political crossroads with council wards represented by Greens The new plans which look to bring in charges for the Allport Lane car park have prompted uproar in the town again with over 1,000 people signing a petition in 24 hours now has over 2,000 signatures with many believing the arguments for keeping it free are stronger than ever Like 21 other car parks and roads in three other areas where the changes could also be brought in rates will range from £1.20 for one hour to £6 for four hours or more A £1 overnight charge will also be brought in for anyone wanting to park between 6.30pm and 8am Phil Spencer who started the petition against the charges said it was the third time they’d had to do this Pointing to the loss of several banks on the high street “We lost the Civic Centre and the library recently and in some ways It’s not a picture postcard place but it just needs preserving as far as possible We feel what was a really thriving community has slowly suffered not necessarily due to the council’s actions but it’s just the way town centres have redefined themselves.” Mr Spencer felt like Bromborough was “a special case” given how close it is to the Croft Retail Park and the free parking available there While he said he understood the council is trying to encourage walking and cycling It’s not easy for some of the people to actually do any of these things They can’t ride bikes and they can’t walk very far or walk far to get the bus.” Several businesses are also supporting the campaign They aren’t going to come in and pay for parking just to pick up a greetings card We have been through three battles with the car park and we have seen it all they think you have forgotten about it and push again for charges Brenda Whitworth is a volunteer at a charity shop for the Claire House Childrens’ Hospice told the LDRS “This village will die because people will go over to the Croft It’s so wrong,” adding: “If you need a placard holding up said they would cover the cost of any parking for volunteers but this means around £110 or more could be spent a week covering this “It’s money coming out of the charity that doesn’t need to be.” She also worries the charges could add to a further drop in footfall following bank closures She said people used the car park too for nearby church events and weddings as well as the village fair “We are fighting to keep our community together Since the library went and the banks and two charity shops a family-run award-winning business that has been in Bromborough village since 1974 He said he and a number of his employees use the car park “It’s going to penalise the people working here for a start and the worry is the customers coming in too “That car park does get full and we even have customers who will come in the next day if it is everyone is against it so how can they possibly justify it?” Carol Molyneux who runs the Village Café said she didn’t know anyone in favour of the plans “I have worked here in the village for 30 years We have got a little bit quieter since Covid so it’s not going to help “We do have a lot of regular customers and we are quite busy and then you go outside and it’s like a ghost town.” posters are also up urging people to oppose the charges works for supermarkets and sees around 150 people visiting the company every week “It just seems like there’s no joined-up thinking,” arguing the council was trying to encourage people to shop local but then is thinking of bringing in the charges “There has to be some consideration given to the public You can’t just take and the council’s purpose is to give If you take away parking and you take away libraries Wirral Council has said it will monitor the impact on businesses as the charges are rolled out and cited a report done in 2023 which “showed that people who walk or cycle or take public transport may spend longer at the shops and spend more money” “The changes are designed to encourage a regular turnover of parking spaces so that the businesses can get a variety of customers throughout their business day and more people can have access to parking spaces.” Any objections and comments will be reported back to the council’s Environment Climate Emergency and Transport Committee and any charges aren’t expected to be brought in until the winter As for how changes could impact areas surrounding car parks “It’s not possible to say exactly what might happen following the introduction of parking charges so each location will be monitored “Parking charges are being proposed for both car parks and on-street locations to help limit any displacement from car parks as both will then be just as favourable as each other in terms of cost “Additional traffic management measures such as residents parking zones and yellow lines will be considered where essential for the safety of road users.” Lead image: John Muff from Muffs the Butchers Wirral fears the parking charges could affect his business Eddisons is marketing the Bromborough police station on behalf of Merseyside Police Merseyside Police are looking to sell the two-acre site off New Chester Road with the goal of using the receipts to build a new hub in Wirral The plot of land includes the 26,900 sq ft police station The police station was built in the 1930s and has been deemed no longer fit for purpose by Merseyside police and crime commissioner Emily Spurrell Selling it for the guide price of £1.6m would enable the first responders to invest in a more accessible and modern police hub elsewhere in the borough The police are working with Wirral Council to find the perfect site for the facility with goals of exchanging on a plot of land in the next 18 months and to complete the build in five years “We’re taking the right steps to ensure the buildings we occupy right across Merseyside are in the best possible position to serve our communities,” Spurrell said “While Bromborough police station is no longer fit to serve the force it is a prime residential site and has real potential to be a valuable development for local people.” According to Merseyside Police’s 12-year estates strategy the Bromborough police station is one of 11 sites to be sold to make way for new buildings that are set to be more cost-effective The goal is for these sales to generate £21.6m for the force Also on the market is the police’s former Canning Place headquarters in Liverpool Colliers is marketing the Canning Place site while Eddisons is charged with finding a buyer for the Bromborough station A number of companies associated with the Southport business have entered administration as a City of London Police investigation continues Planning inspectors have told the local authority it can formally adopt what it bills as the country’s first brownfield-only Local Plan replacing a 25-year old development framework Wirral Council planning committee has been recommended to approve the 12-acre development from Persimmon Homes The site is on the former Croda chemicals site off the end of Pool Lane in Bromborough NJL Consulting submitted the application on the developer’s behalf It will be decided by committee on Thursday The developer has committed to the provision of 23 affordable homes and a further six homes as affordable rent The original planning documents stated an intention for the site to have 124 homes Included in the project is a riverside walkway Landscape Architect Ascerta was aided by TEP as the environmental consultant Waterco undertook the flood risk assessment Others involved in the project include JLP Surveying use the reference number APP/22/01890 on Wirral Council’s planning portal We are on the other side of Mersey were also promised a play area and a walkway seven years ago !!!!! The City Visitor Charge will haul in an estimated £9.2m over the next two years The council wants to appoint a multidisciplinary team to draw up a place strategy for the town aimed at harnessing “the power of Southport’s strengths” Bromborough Civic Centre in Bromborough Village was closed in 2022 as part of sweeping cuts approved in that year’s budget The library and hall had faced the possibility of reopening with two highly rated bids put forward to take it over Wirral councillors made the controversial decision to sell off the library during a meeting closed to the public The civic centre was previously valued by the council as being worth £600,000 The site was put on the market in 2024 but now is in the final process of being sold to McCarthy and Stone Retirement Lifestyles Ltd A report on the decision by Director of Regeneration and Place Marcus Shaw said the sale would generate more than £500,000 for the local authority Eight bids were received on the property and following assessments by Lambert Smith Hampton the council’s appointed property consultants it was agreed to sell it to McCarthy and Stone The offer is subject to detailed planning permission being granted as well as the sale allowing “for further unforeseen deductions which may arise during the planning process” Bromborough Civic Centre currently costs Wirral Council about £31,500 a year to maintain despite being closed McCarthy and Stone declined to comment while the process is ongoing what is planned for Bromborough could be similar to other plans put forward by the company The firm previously put forward plans for accommodation off Well Lane in Heswall which were rejected by Wirral Council This promised “high quality” living accommodation with a mix of private sale and rental options with “professionally landscaped gardens around the site” and balcony terrace alongside a 24-hour emergency call service Planning documents for the Heswall development said “As with every McCarthy Stone Retirement Living development a community feel is encouraged with communal spaces and a limited number of apartments so that residents can get to know their neighbours.” “We seek to ensure that all our developments have high-quality communal and private outside space for our residents to enjoy Our proposal for Heswall includes landscaped gardens as well as outdoor seating and improvements to the site boundaries “Our developments are designed to blend in with their surroundings We recognise that high-quality gardens and landscaping turn a good development into a great one and we are pleased that many of our schemes have won awards for their outside space.” boarded up” building “stood as a stark reminder,” adding the money made as a result was “a small but welcome relief for Wirral Council given its dire financial situation but will be less enthusiastically received by the residents of Bromborough” Cllr Phil Gilchrist who regularly shops in the village said that the now empty building that had been there for over 50 years was “a reminder of changed times” adding The plans by the new owner have yet to be unveiled I hope the new homes will meet local needs “It is a painful loss that we need to recover from It was one of the places to go to for a whole generation.” Lead image: GOOGLE  An £8m contract has been agreed for the delivery of a 77,400 sq ft warehouse for photo printing specialist Max Spielmann Work at the Power Road site has now started and comes 16 years after the family-owned Timpson Group acquired Max Spielmann and will see the development of a 9.5-acre site to create warehousing for storage and distribution with internal mezzanine offices and car parking Max Spielmann will be owner-occupier, having secured consent from Wirral Council in April last year for the AEW Architects-designed scheme The site previously housed an office block occupied by Epichem Caddick’s appointment marks the first time the Yorkshire-headquartered property group has worked on behalf of Timpson Group bringing together two prominent family-owned Northern businesses the development adds to Caddick’s growing pipeline of projects across the North West which also includes Ark 42 at Trafford Park Road on behalf of Trebor Developments a residential project at the former Chorlton Leisure Centre site and JD Sports’ new Bury headquarters regional managing director of Caddick Construction North West said: “The new development at Power Road is a huge investment by Timpson Group and a statement of intent by the definitive leader in photo printing – a business that has impressively diversified in an evolving market our culture means a lot to us and we are very proud to be working in partnership with Timpson as a likeminded family-owned business “We have a relatively short build programme in which we’ll build brand new facilities for Max Spielmann and we are looking forward to progressing on site and building our wider industrial pipeline throughout 2025.” Timpson chairman and owner Sir John Timpson said: “I’m pleased that in Caddick we have formed an important partnership with another vibrant family business to deliver this development at Power Road “Exactly 16 years ago Timpson acquired the Max Spielmann business and since then it has developed a reputation for exceptional customer service and grown to become the UK’s leading photo service retailer with over 400 outlets “This new development on Power Road marks an important step in our plans to strengthen the Max Spielman business for its future growth and it is great to have Caddick appointed as main contractor to help us achieve this.” The site has existing planning permission for 249 homes linked to a further 217 homes on the Riverside Business Park next door It has not been made public how much money will be generated by the sale but the site has been valued above £500,000 A December report ahead of a Wirral Council Policy and Resources Committee meeting said the site’s sale alongside three other properties would generate £7.7m for the local authority Money from the sale will contribute to a total of £13,255,000 generated by the local authority from selling land and properties it owns This will be used to help pay off a government loan after the council requested emergency government funding in 2021 and 2022 The plan to sell off the site off Old Hall Road in Bromborough was approved by councillors in March 2023 and it was later put on the market in January 2024 Wirral Council’s director of regeneration Marcus Shaw agreed to enter into a contract with Northstone Development Limited Northstone is a Manchester-based development firm founded in 2018 that designs and builds homes in the north west of England and forms part of Peel Group stylish environments and communities where families will thrive” 13 bids were received after the land was put up for sale but Lambert Smith Hampton selected Northstone as the preferred bidder and the council said their bid “reflects market value for the site” The offer put forward by Northstone is conditional subject to a number of planning issues being sorted to allow the development to go ahead as the site was bought by the council using government funding this will be clawed back from any final sale price The site has been vacant for more than 20 years with no buildings on the site and previously was used as a fuel storage facility by the Ministry of Defence Planning permission for the site was unanimously approved in November 2022 which is linked to plans for 466 homes in the nearby area Concerns had been raised by local councillors about the application but it was also described as an “exciting step forward for both of the sites” and a “major regeneration and planning opportunity” A Housing Trajectory published in September 2024 as part of the council’s Local Plan suggests the first homes will be finished by March 2026 on both sites Work on all 249 homes is expected to be finished by 2032 Lead image: Approximate boundaries of the two sites. Credit: GOOGLE which also makes rice crispies and cornflakes for all major supermarkets Despite the Bromborough factory being profitable the company plans to close the site and move production to its site in Staverton “This is a deeply worrying time for GMB members and their families CPUK has been at the heart of this community providing good jobs and supporting countless businesses “Three hundred skilled workers facing an uncertain future is simply unacceptable secure fair treatment for workers and explore all potential options to mitigate the impact of this closure “We demand urgent talks with management and call on the company to engage with us to make sure workers’ voices are heard Image: GOOGLE  Three buildings on the site were constructed under a previous 2005 application an 18-acre site in Bromborough with consent for more than 200 homes Persimmon’s Southwood Road site has had outline planning permission for up to 217 houses since 2022 when Wirral Council granted approval for the project plans were to develop the land as a seven-building business park resulting in only three buildings being constructed fixed charge receivers from Watling Real Estate were appointed by the secured lender Persimmon will need to agree on reserved matters with Wirral Council before it can begin work It is understood Permission will press ahead with the already outlined and approved residential scheme Watling Real Estate worked alongside Colliers to market the site DLA Piper provided legal advice for the seller Persimmon Homes was advised by Kuits Solicitors The combined masterplans for the two Bromborough projects director in the Manchester office of Watling said: “Working with key stakeholders throughout the process the property was successfully promoted as a strategic residential site in Wirral’s new local plan and secured several planning permissions including consent to a change of use of the existing office buildings and outline consent for comprehensive site redevelopment for residential use.” Walker wished Persimmon Homes well and added that due to its prime location the site attracted interest from both national and regional housebuilders He continued: “Riverside Park is an excellent brownfield opportunity which will deliver much-needed family housing in the area “Coupled with the Wirral-owned former MOD site next door which is also consented for residential development this is the start of an exciting evolution of a former employment area on the peninsula.” the 19-acre site adjacent to Riverside Park a former Ministry of Defence fuel storage facility with planning permission for up to 250 homes Last March, Wirral Council’s economy, regeneration and housing committee, declared the site surplus to requirements and announced its intention to dispose of it Because the land has been sold with planning permission for development there’s no guarantee that development will take place in the foreseeable future a former school for the partially hearing with extensive playing fields that’s still not been developed though it’s been vacant for over 20 years The only sure way if development starting sooner than later is to impose a tax on land values (LVT) The financial loss of not developing the land would strongly incentivise the owners to develop A genuine hurrah for much needed new homes but don’t be fooled this is Wirral’s “employment land first” approach to delivering housing a proper Local Plan for WIrral or the next ice age No Local Plan led development for 2 decades and the Council wonders why it is going bust and has no tax base they’re more than comfortable in their 4 bed detached Will this £13 million help to reduce the £40/50 million deficit that the Council has been talking about!!! Great to hear unused land will be turned into housing but no one mentions the lack of school places lack of dentists or the fact it’s land right next to a busy industrial estate The local developer has submitted proposals for a £12m project comprising 20 properties on a prime site in the south Liverpool suburb Advertise with us Video Services One Stop Shop now being offered at Wallasey town hall Liverpool FC’s 20th league title becomes most engaged Premier League win in history info@theguideliverpool.com +44 151 702 0143 Calendar Food & Drink Picante launches new Margarita Masterclasses Liverpool restaurant week returns next weekend with hundreds of dining deals Nightlife New Kapsule music venue opening at Invisible Wind Factory this weekend 20 things you can do this week in Liverpool (28 April – 4 May 2025) Tate Liverpool unveils Chila Kumari Singh Burman retrospective as centrepiece of 2027 relaunch Mel Giedroyc returns to Liverpool for a night of Eurovision Classics at the Philharmonic Hall Family Mum creates chilled Scandi style play cafe that parents will love as much as kids Find out the free family entertainment happening at Smithdown Festival this weekend Directory The Northern Guide Advertise The Guide Liverpool: Getting Ready for the BIG dates in 2025 12 ways The Guide can help support your business in 2025 this station has served the force for more than 90 years and comprises the main police station as well as two traditional detached houses which were used as offices The 2.09-acre site is positioned in a prominent location close to Bromborough town centre with direct links across Wirral including the Birkenhead tunnel and M53 motorway The sale is part of the Police and Crime Commissioner’s 12-year Estate Strategy focused on modernising and updating Merseyside Police’s stations and buildings to ensure officers and staff are in the right places and best equipped to serve communities across the region The strategy focusses on putting more money into frontline policing by selling old out-dated and inefficient buildings and replacing them with more cost-effective A key part of the plan is to open a brand-new visible and accessible police hub in the Wirral Due to be completed within the next five years the new development is set to reduce the force’s annual running costs and selling Bromborough police station will help generate the money to deliver this state-of-the art new police base we will generate money which will be used to continue to transform the police estate making sure our stations are fit to serve our officers and staff so they are fit to fight crime now and into the future “We’re taking the right steps to ensure the buildings we occupy right across Merseyside are in the best possible position to serve our communities “While Bromborough police station is no longer fit to serve the force Bromborough is one of 11 old stations due to be sold during the 12-year plan. It comes after Canning Place went on the market earlier this year with the deadline for bidding closing in October More than £21.6m is expected to be recouped from selling these stations.   The Guide Liverpool proudly shares regular stories from in and around Liverpool Our editorial team is made up of trained journalists and media professionals meaning you will never miss a moment from the city region Sign up today to be the first to hear exclusive Liverpool news & offers Download it today to be the first to hear exclusive Liverpool news & offers This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page Wirral Council’s Planning Committee approved plans to revitalise redundant sports facilities at Pool Lane Ellesmere Port-based Elan Homes and Bromborough & Eastham Junior Football Club have expressed their delight at the planning committee’s decision to approve the application the developer said that without approval for the linked housing development at the former Octel Sports Club site the sports facilities may never be delivered Planning officers had recommended that the planning application should be refused due to the use of part of the site for car parking and the size and location of the car park within the Bromborough Pool conservation area a majority of councillors on the planning committee disagreed and voted instead to approve the proposals The proposals will provide new football pitches at the former Prices Sports Club at Pool Lane in Bromborough Pool and the derelict clubhouse will be transformed into a community centre with multi-functional spaces and changing rooms External works include the creation of two new sports pitches Bromborough & Eastham Junior Football Club will operate and manage the facility to serve the club’s 600 young players representing boys and girls of all abilities aged between 4 and 16 including participation in various leagues The club facilities at Bromborough Pool will also be available for the community to hire when not in use by the football club The sports proposals are intended as the improved replacement for the below standard pitches at the failed former Octel Sports Club in Bromborough A planning application is still to be determined for the redevelopment of the now derelict former Octel Sports Club site which will provide an attractive setting for 104 new homes Should the planning application for new homes on the former Octel Club site be approved Elan Homes will fund the revitalisation of the former Prices Sports Club which would then be provided on a long lease to Bromborough & Eastham JFC Further financial contributions from Elan Homes will secure improvements to local Cricket and Bowls facilities elsewhere in the borough Chair of Bromborough & Eastham Junior Football Club said “Naturally we are delighted that Wirral Council’s planning committee approved the application to revitalise the currently derelict former Prices Club building and create two football pitches for community use our football club has grown rapidly with over 600 members across 37 registered teams catering for children of all ages and abilities there is huge demand placed upon existing pitches in Wirral recognises an urgent need to improve playing pitches and youth football facilities and finds that only 3.3% of local pitches meet ‘good quality’ standards yet council space is simply unable to meet this demand Without transformation of the former Prices Club we may be forced to turn children away—something that no community club wants to do “We are grateful to Wirral Council’s planning committee for approving our plans to try and secure a new home for the club We see this as a vote of confidence in us as a club and recognition of the positive work we do in the community.” A spokesperson on behalf of Elan Homes said we have worked closely with officers at Wirral Council to bring forward a high-quality new housing development on the former Octel Club site we also intend to provide replacement sports facilities elsewhere in the area Approval by the planning committee for the Pool Lane proposals is a great first step “If the linked planning application for the former Octel Club is now approved this will enable the Council to satisfy demand for new housing in the short-term reducing the pressure for Green Belt land to be released for future housing development and generate funds to address the recognised need for dedicated local sports facilities without approval of housing on the former Octel Sports Club there will be no funds to invest into the fantastic sports proposals at Pool Lane as well as the improvements to local Cricket Tennis and Bowls facilities elsewhere in the Borough We look forward to the application being presented to the planning committee for a final decision.” The new development will include 116 new homes as well as a new children’s playground next to the River Dibbin The plans were first put forward by Persimmon Homes and Dibbins Estates Ltd in 2022 will be built off Dock Road South in Bromborough near to the Port Sunlight River Park A riverside walkway will be built as well as a new play area with footpath and vehicle access to the new development through the Mersey View housing estate When the project was first put forward in 2022 for 124 homes developers said it would provide 35 construction jobs as well as 62 jobs indirectly and a future £3.3m spend every year from people living in the homes in local shops 10 full-time jobs in the local economy and £2.39m in council tax over 10 years The former site was previously a candleworks as well as being operated by UniChem Cllr Steve Foulkes said when it was a candleworks workers had to walk from Chester and camp out on a field nearby Councillors praised the scheme for its design mix of housing which will include apartments and town houses as well as its use of a brownfield site which will go towards meeting housing targets and support the draft Local Plan It was also pointed out the estate would be close to amenities nine will be available for first-time buyers and six will be rented at affordable rates Half of the total number of homes will be three- to four-bed family homes and roads will be 20mph within the estate Concerns had been raised by people in a neighbouring estate about traffic but councillors said any impact was outweighed by the benefits and would need to be severe “We’re delighted that Wirral Councillors have approved our plans for 116 new homes in Bromborough “This development will provide a range of homes helping to meet local housing needs while also regenerating a brownfield site that has been empty for some time “Homeowners will benefit from easy access to local amenities rail and bus connections as well to Port Sunlight River Park “In addition to delivering much-needed housing this development will secure significant investment for the Bromborough community.” A children’s home was also unanimously approved in Oxton despite concerns about the change of use of the building on Alfred Road and a neighbouring derelict property that “has allegedly been used for drug dealing.” The applicants for the home said it would seek to replicate a family setting and they would work with neighbours Another application for a property extension on Stanley Road in Hoylake was also approved unanimously The family who lived in the property said the extension was to accommodate a son who was disabled The application had faced opposition from 22 people with two in support Councillors praised the extension for improving the look of the building and providing for the family’s needs Cllr Kathy Hodson moved it for approval saying she “wholeheartedly” supported it “I am not sure why anybody objected to be frank.” said the opposition was likely as a result of controversial changes to nearby buildings which people felt the area was “at threat so we get a situation where people will object to any alteration to the area” An application for six new flats in Heswall on Farr Hall Drive was pushed back Image: Plan for the 116 homes in Bromborough Pool Wirral's approach to the redevelopment of sports facilities is frustrating developers Elan Homes has urged the council to give plans for 104 properties at the Octel Sports Club site the green light claiming it has waited since the beginning of 2023 for a determination conversations around the site’s redevelopment began four years ago and culminated in the submission of two applications early last year; one for the homes and another for replacement sports facilities The replacement sports facilities include new football pitches at the former Prices Sports Club at Bromborough Pool and a clubhouse for Bromborough & Eastham Junior Football Club the statutory time limit for determining an application has long since passed prompting Elan to put pressure on the council to make a decision “Elan Homes is now asking that the two planning applications are taken to planning committee for a decision at the earliest possible opportunity,” a spokesperson for the developer said “We believe that approval of the two planning applications will enable the council to satisfy demand for new housing in the short-term reducing the pressure for Green Belt land to be released for development and addressing the recognised need for dedicated local sports facilities.” The spokesperson thinks approval of the schemes would “send a clear message” to landowners and developers about the council’s willingness to develop brownfield sites in the borough The pressure on all local authorities to up their game when it comes to delivering homes has ramped up following the recently announced change to how the government calculates local housing need Labour’s new algorithm suggests Wirral needs to build 1,755 homes a year up from 728 calculated using the previous method said the authority is “aware” of the proposed increase in housing targets he said that national planning reform “does not propose changes to the approach in which a loss of sports facilities should be considered by the council” “The Octel Sports Club site has not been allocated for housing in either existing Unitary Development Plan or emerging Local Plan,” he said “The site has been progressed by Elan Homes as a windfall development.” He added that there is “no intention” to release any further as part of the emerging Local Plan “The council remains committed to development on brownfield land,” he said A decision by the Planning Inspectorate to refuse permission for another sports club to housing scheme in Birkenhead “robustly supports” the council’s approach “We are pleased that the appeal made by Birkenhead School to overturn the decision to refuse a planning application to build 33 homes on a sports ground has been dismissed.” The school said the sale of the disused playing fields on Noctorum Lane would have unlocked investment in a range of community sports facilities “The inspector’s decision noted the potential benefits to two community clubs recognised there is currently no prospect of Noctorum Field’s use and that it’s development would have no detrimental impact on highway safety drainage or biodiversity,” said school bursar Mark Turner the opportunity to achieve the proposed benefits now appears foregone with this decision.” Highly ambitious of Wirral Council to believe that everyone will want to live in Wirral Waters Why would families (a) want to live in apartments over homes with gardens; and (b) move to an area with limited wider infrastructure Wirral council’s problem is that it is politically deadlocked with conservatives Libs opportunistically and now active greens opposing all developments not on brown field sites the Labour Party to scared at the possibility of losing council seats It will take government intervention to sort it out Just as happened a few years ago .But they soon slipped back into there old ways of In a peninsular already heavily built on that has a narrow ‘neck’ to join to north Cheshire I can’t imagine where 1.7k homes a year If the mortality rate has risen nationwide and birth rate has fallen I don’t think so many homes are needed The plan is one of a number of new developments that could see new homes built close to the River Mersey The plans have been put forward by Lovell Partnerships and Susan Daniel who want to build on abandoned industrial land off Dock Road North in Bromborough The development is close to the Port Sunlight River Park and runs close to the banks of the Dibbinsdale brook The plans are recommended for approval this week at a Wirral Council planning committee meeting on 12 December but have been called in by Bromborough’s three councillors Only six people objected to the application after 176 people were contacted and advertisements in the press and at the site According to planning application documents the location is “situated in a highly sustainable and accessible location and will make best use of underutilised brownfield land” The documents also said the new streets will prioritise pedestrians and cyclists with key views of the surrounding area A planning statement said the scheme is “sensitively designed to integrate with the new developments within the vicinity of the site positively responding to the character and appearance of the area through the delivery of the new high-quality residential development” The homes will be a mix of two- to four-bedroom homes either semi-detached or detached with garden space while two car parking courts and trees will be placed around the site It’s proposed 14% or 17 of the homes would be affordable though the aim is to provide 42 affordable homes if grant funding is secured The applicant’s employment market report said despite security measures being put in place following the site’s last use in 2017 “there were repeated break-ins and damage caused to the buildings with valuable copper and other wire stripped from the premises the buildings fell into disrepair and a decision was made during the summer of 2020 to undertake a ‘soft strip’ of the buildings The site has been marketed repeatedly for employment uses but no one was interested in taking over the site It’s not believed to be financially viable to refurbish the vacant buildings on the site due to their current state Council officers said the plans would deliver housing on a vacant piece of land with no real alternative with affordable housing provided and “sufficient mitigation to compensate for biodiversity loss introduce new trees and landscaping and improve visual amenity” Officers said it would offer substantial benefits and recommended it for approval six people have objected to the application raising concerns including about contamination and asbestos While officers did find asbestos in one of the buildings and potential risks around contamination Environmental Health has put forward a number of rules for developers which address these issues Bromborough’s three Green councillors Jo Bird and Kieran Murphy have also raised concerns calling the application in These include an “over-provision of parking,” new gas boilers Cllr Bird previously described it as “a massive cul-de-sac with only one way in or out.” A representative from Lovell Homes in 2023 said it was working with the local community adding “We are passionate about delivering the best possible solution to turn this disused brownfield site into a secure and thriving community.” Lead image: GOOGLE Owen Ellis designed the interior modifications at Bromborough Community Fire Station Bromborough Community Fire Station will boast a new roof and improved sustainability credentials thanks to a 30-week renovation project Seddon Property Services is the main contractor for the scheme which will see new M&E systems installed in the Wirral fire station The work includes removing the gas systems and boiler in place in the fire station and replacing them with more energy-efficient solutions The fire station will remain operational throughout the £1.6m work programme Seddon operations director Matthew Sargeson said; “Our team’s expertise in managing complex live-site renovations will ensure Bromborough Fire Station continues to serve its community while we deliver these crucial upgrades “This project aligns perfectly with our commitment to supporting essential services and promoting sustainability in the built environment.” The push to a more sustainable fire station is part of Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service’s wider decarbonisation strategy Anthony Holland has been leading on the Bromborough refurb for the service as the group’s estates development manager Holland said: “The newly refurbished and modernised fire station will provide an improved working environment for firefighters and improved facilities for the community.” The redesign of the fire station was drawn up by architect Owen Ellis Rider Levett Bucknall is the project manager Seddon is no stranger to blue light retrofits having renovated Staffordshire Police Station earlier this year is set to begin work this month on a significant renovation project at Bromborough Fire Station for Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service will enhance the station’s facilities and contribute to the service’s decarbonisation efforts The comprehensive upgrade includes re-roofing the whole fire station new mechanical and electrical services installations and implementation of sustainability measures to reduce the station’s carbon footprint Key to the project is the removal of gas systems and traditional fossil fuel boilers to be replaced with green energy solutions This shift towards renewable energy sources is a crucial step in Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service’s decarbonisation plan demonstrating Seddon’s continuous commitment to environmental sustainability The green energy upgrades will not only lower the station’s carbon emissions but also contribute to long-term cost savings and energy efficiency Another crucial aspect of the project is ensuring the fire station remains fully operational throughout the renovation Seddon’s experienced team will work closely with station personnel to minimise disruption and maintain emergency response readiness at all times This commitment to uninterrupted service underscores Seddon’s expertise in managing sensitive live-site renovations where maintaining functionality is key to public safety Operations Director at Seddon Property Services “We’re proud to partner with Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service on this important project Our team’s expertise in managing complex This project aligns perfectly with our commitment to supporting essential services and promoting sustainability in the built environment.” Estates Development Manager at Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service “The newly refurbished and modernised Fire Station will provide an improved working environment for firefighters and improved facilities for the community “As Estates Development Manager I am extremely proud to be leading on this key project for Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority the works have begun on site and are quite extensive “The scheme will run for approximately 30 weeks while we continue to operate as a live fire station Operational staff have been supportive and patient through the development of the scheme from feasibility to work commencing on site.” This project strengthens Seddon’s growing portfolio in the blue light sector following successful collaborations with other emergency services including Staffordshire Police The company is also poised to undertake similar decarbonisation projects at additional fire stations in the region Riverside Park at Bromborough is an 18.28 acre former office park with outline planning consent for up to 217 residential units Chris Walker and Andrew Foster of Watling Real Estate were appointed as Fixed Charge Receivers over the site close to the River Mersey and adjacent to Eastham Country Park “Working with key stakeholders throughout the process the property was successfully promoted as a strategic residential site in Wirral’s new Local Plan and secured several planning permissions including consent to a change of use of the existing office buildings and outline consent for comprehensive site redevelopment for residential use “Riverside Park is a very well located residential opportunity which attracted strong interest from a number of national and regional house builders The availability of good quality deliverable housing sites remains a challenge in many areas across the Noth West “Riverside Park is an excellent brownfield opportunity which will deliver much needed family housing in the area Coupled with the Wirral-owned former MOD site next door this is the start of an exciting evolution of a former employment area on the peninsula We wish Persimmon well in its next chapter.” Law firm DLA Piper acted for the Fixed Charge Receivers with Kuits Solicitors in Manchester advising Persimmon Colliers’ Manchester office were joint selling agents with Watling Real Estate director of Residential Land at Colliers said “It was good to be involved assisting Watling Real Estate generate a high level of interest and secure a competitive capital receipt.” Image: GOOGLE has confirmed the force’s site in Bromborough was being placed on the market with money used from the sale to be used to help deliver a new police hub in Wirral The former police station on New Chester Road in Bromborough was built in the 1930s and has been used by Merseyside Police for more than 90 years The site contains the main police station as well as two traditional detached houses that were used as offices.  The sale is part of a 12 year plan by Ms Spurrell to offload  11 police stations and “ensure officers and staff are in the right places and best equipped to serve communities across the region.” This aims to put more police officers on the street “by selling old and inefficient buildings and replacing them with more cost-effective flexible and fit-for-purpose facilities” generating around £22m The money from the Bromborough sale will go towards a brand new police hub in due to be finished in the next five years The site has more recently become overgrown with weeds but it once housed a magistrates court and was reportedly used as a film set two years ago Eastham councillor Phil Gilchrist had been pushing for an update on what was happening with the site He said it was “an end of an era for Bromborough,” adding the station “was built for an era with few police cars hardly any radios and no mobile phones” but now “sits forlorn Cllr Gilchrist suggested housing or flats for the elderly could be a good use of the site Credit: Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner The village is an important hub for the charity hosting a range of residential and day services By NOTICEBOARD · 2 September 2024 Autism Together’s director of estates and facilities and Angie Kemp Autism Together’s director of business development pictured outside the Enterprise Centre in Bromborough Pool Village A range of restoration work is planned for this building A Wirral charity is sharing details of its continuing plans for the development and restoration of a range of buildings and sites in the historic Bromborough Pool Village following the gifting of three Grade II listed buildings to Autism Together the charity asked the Wirral community about their use of the village and what changes and improvements they would like to see were the village’s former school (now called the Enterprise Centre) Giles Shirley Hall and the former St Matthew’s Church building Having taken the results of the public consultation meetings and questionnaires into account Autism Together has drawn up a five-year plan for improvements that either the organisation or the public would like to see in the village said: “Following a community consultation in 2023 Autism Together appointed heritage-approved architects Paddock Johnson to design a master plan for the new buildings and land “This masterplan shows the exciting future potential of the area which will benefit Autism Together’s day services operating from these buildings and also the wider village and community as a whole.” Plans for the Enterprise Centre include repairs to its exterior stonework followed by a sympathetic reconfiguring of the building’s layout to provide a beneficial environment for the people the charity supports plus an accessible all-weather courtyard area with glazed roof The refurbishment plans include a multi-functional space for use by up to 50 people which would be available to book - free of charge - by community groups for events at evenings and weekends therefore increasing public access and use of these historic buildings Autism Together’s director of estates and facilities commented: “This development work will not detract from the external façade instead enhancing it by removing a linked section which is not in keeping with the building’s overall aesthetic “We plan to raise over £400k in funding for the Enterprise Centre’s exterior work alone which holds many memories for the local community remains an important part of the village.” Another vital planned change will be to improve parking by re-planning the existing car park area which sits adjacent to the charity-run Bromborough Pool café and shop to create a one-way system with drop-off area for people accessing day services This will minimise the impact of traffic on the village during drop-off and collection periods the entire car park surface would be resurfaced and improved The redevelopment work will also include changes to benefit the autistic adults who access Autism Together’s services within the village This will include internal development within the church building to create a multipurpose space and a re-zoning of the garden area behind the café and shop The latter redesign would provide a range of new activities There are also plans for an enhanced area to house the small animals that reside on site - rabbits Caring for these animals provides tasks and enhances skills for people accessing this service The animals are also popular with customers who enjoy petting sessions in the area behind the café to benefit people supported by the charity Another exciting addition for the village will be a community growing space the local community can adopt small plots of land to grow items Autism Together will manage the rental of these spaces with preference given to people living in the village the charity intends to create an urban garden zone at the north-eastern edge of the village This will involve the repurposing of an area owned by Autism Together which houses some old garages and a small parcel of land that is currently underused due to a lack of facilities The charity plans to remove the garages and build an attractive new single-storey property in keeping with the design of other buildings in the village This property would enhance the charity’s residential offer to autistic adults in the form of a new Supported Living service for eight individuals continued: “We are really excited to begin work on the next stage of our plans for Bromborough Pool Village we listened to what the public wanted and have already taken action to repair the village’s war memorial create more events for children and families and expand the range of goods sold in our café to include the likes of bread “In order to keep the local community informed and involved in our plans we will be posting image-led information boards in the village detailing our proposed changes and where they will be taking place “This information will also be available on our Autism Together website where the public can get in touch with any queries.” Find out more about the Bromborough Pool Village Project via the Autism Together website: www.autismtogether.co.uk/bromborough-pool-village-project/ LoadingDaily Email Updates {{contentTitle}}