A derelict warehouse described as an “eyesore” will be knocked down and replaced with three houses.
The three homes will be built on Rake Lane in Liscard despite being opposed by a number of people whose houses back onto the site.
Those against it said they were worried about the proximity of the houses to their properties and that this wasn’t in line with planning regulations.
READ MORE: Council approves application for hundreds of homes on old Ministry of Defence site
Councillors and officers argued that the development would improve the site and despite the close proximity of the new houses, these would be an improvement on the existing warehouse currently there.
Wirral Council had voted to reject an application for four houses on the site in 2008 but this was later approved on appeal. The number of houses was then reduced to three and the height of each house from ten to seven metres.
When asked whether it was too close, Mark Loughran, the council’s development management manager, said: “It might not comply with standards but it isn’t much worse or much better than the existing site.”
He added: “In the circumstances, they are just about okay and overall benefits far outweigh what is there at present.
The application said the new houses will be “combined with private parking, gardens and ecologically friendly land-scaping to support recovery of the local natural biodiversity.”
Councillors approved the application 11 votes for and one against on the conditions details about cycle storage and areas set aside for parking and servicing are determined.
An application to build 27 flats on the banks of the Mersey was also approved despite being opposed by some residents. 11 councillors voted for it with one abstention.
The new flats will be based in the Mariner’s Park in Egremont in Wallasey and would be for retired sailors.
Those opposed described it as “huge” and claimed it would harm wildlife such as foxes who live in the area and use the site itself.
Eileen Buckley, who spoke against the application, said: “The proposed building is huge. It is massive,” adding ''this building will tower over all the other buildings.”
As the apartments will face out over the river and the distance between the development and nearby houses, the impact in the area was considered to be less than the benefits provided by the flats.
Leon Armstrong, an agent for Nautilus International’s application, said the development would have a 70% biodiversity net gain and there will be 30 replacement trees for mature trees lost during construction.
Mr Anstrong said the flats’ supported living arrangements “provides flexible care where it is needed and provides benefits for residents offering a safe living environment.”
The applicants said there was already a waiting list of 80 retired mariners and would meet growing demand for homes for the elderly.
Cllr Steve Foulkes said that the application was within the council’s local plan and planning policies but “I do take on residents’ concerns. Where they live is the most precious thing to them and we do want to try and protect the environment.”
He said one side effect of the council’s draft Local Plan to prioritise brownfield development was more pressure on developments for those who don’t live in Wirral’s green belt.
READ NEXT:
Jennifer Ellison shows off slim figure but fans are distracted
First picture of police officer charged with attempted murder of woman in hotel
'Kind and loving' mum died while working at The Range
Police vehicle responding to emergency call crashes into car at busy junction
Concerns grow for missing woman, 26, last seen at train station
