A gospel church in Wirral is to be demolished to make way for a three-storey apartment block.
The building, known as Gospel Hall, on Pensby Road, Heswall, was purchased by Liverpool-based housebuilder, Forth Homes, following a formal marketing campaign undertaken by estate agents Savills.
Standing on 0.5 acres of land, the site was sold subject to planning permission and is expected to comprise of a 23 residential apartment scheme, built over three storeys.
It is understood that all the apartments are due to be offered on an affordable tenure basis.
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When Wirral Council granted permission there were a number of objections from residents, with the local authority receiving some 57 letters from people who were against the proposals.
One resident, a Mr Hubbard, voiced his disapproval at the meeting. He said: "Our petitions [against this development] have received 393 signatures, this should not be granted. For a start it does not comply with the council's own planning policies."
He was also not convinced the development - which will consist of four one-bedroom and 19 two-bedroom flats - would provide much-needed affordable housing.
At the meeting Cllr Kathy Hodson said: "We are often presented with plans that involve building on precious green belt, this is where we are sort of lucky here.
These flats will be 100% affordable housing on brownfield. The applicant also plans on retaining green space and keeping the rhododendron bushes at the front."
Cllr Stuart Whittingham also welcomed the proposal, saying the 'affordable housing is much needed'.
Speaking today, Jay Duffield, associate in Savills development division, who led the sale, said: "This disposal is one that we are very pleased to have been involved in and represents an exciting future for the site, creating much needed affordable housing within Heswall.
"What the sale has indicated, and indeed underlines what we are seeing throughout the North West, is that there is growing confidence in the market and that demand is incredibly strong for development land – notwithstanding the effect Covid-19 has had on the market.
"This demand, coupled with an expected increase in land values over the next 12 months and our longer term forecasts for mainstream house prices, paints a very positive outlook for the region’s future."
It is not yet known when work will begin on the site or when it is expected to be completed.
