Developer brings in hotel chain for Wirral resort scheme

Oct 9 2007 by Aaron Boland, Liverpool Daily Post

THE UK’s largest hotel chain, Premier Inns, has agreed a deal for a new Wirral development if ambitious plans for New Brighton are given the green light by planners tonight.

Neptune Developments, the company behind a series of proposals which they say will reinvigorate the Wirral resort, said a deal had been agreed.

The future of that development lies first in the hands of Wirral Council’s planning committee which will meet tonight at Wallasey Town Hall to decide on two separate, but controversial, planning applications.

Before they even look at New Brighton, planners will consider the Warrens Nursery site, which the Primary Care Trust hopes will be given approval for a new, enlarged, GP surgery.

Campaigners have strongly opposed the scheme, in Arrowe Country Park, which they say despoils part of the Green Belt.

But the PCT and local doctors say this is the best chance to modernise local GP practices.

Planning officers have recommended the scheme be approved, although the final decision will be left to the Government Office North West.

The same is the case with Neptune’s plans for New Brighton, which have also been recommended for approval.

Ambitious proposals for the development of the resort have had a chequered history.

Last year those opposing the scheme, which included building over the Marine Lake, won a planning inquiry.

Now Neptune has come back with what it thinks is a less controversial alternative.

In this new version the supermarket stays, but the focus is moved to the site of the former outdoor swimming baths.

The first phase of the development has already been approved and work has begun on revamping the Floral Pavilion Theatre. On the rest of the development, the apartments have gone, to be replaced with a budget hotel, and there will also be a cinema, bars and restaurants.

Neptune development director, Rob Mason, said last night he was “hopeful” the new outline planning application will get the backing of the council and Government Office North West.

He said: “Tuesday night is a really big step because if the plans are approved it means the local authority have bought our revised provision, although Government Office North West and the Secretary of State are the ultimate decision makers.”

The company hopes to develop detailed plans and possibly submit a detailed planning application by Christmas, if Government Office approves.

Mr Mason said: “That is not to pre-suppose the Government Office’s decision, but we’re hoping they will look positively on it because of the work we have done to address the Secretary of State’s concerns.”

Among those who still have reservations are the remaining members of the Heritage Action Group which opposed the original plans. They say they “want development – but the right development” and are expected to push for another public inquiry if Neptune’s application is approved tonight.

liammurphy