COMMUNITY leaders warned it would be a question of “when not if” a major accident took place after councillors approved plans for a major care home and nursery at a traffic hotspot.

Ashbury Care Solutions wants to build a 95-bed care home, 23 sheltered flats and a nursery off Rose Lane, Mossley Hill.

But residents and councillors warned Liverpool Council’s planning committee the location was entirely unsuitable.

They said traffic was already a nightmare and would only get worse with the volumes of people working there or picking up their children.

Resident Dr John Goldsmith, 86, said cars had twice careered into his property causing substantial damage to his garden walls.

He added: “It is OK if you are turning left, but if you are turning right you cannot see what is coming over the bridge.

Mossley Hill councillor Ron Gould said the pavements were narrow and it was currently impossible for two people pushing prams to pass each other without one stepping into the road.

He added: “It was a very disappointing decision for the residents and I feel very sorry for them. It is a matter of if, not when.”

Ashbury Care Solutions argued it was confident the development would not create excessive traffic levels, while council planning officers said traffic data did not show it was an accident blackspot in recent years.

The committee approved the application, despite a call by member Cllr Peter Millea.

He argued the development was much bigger than a previous proposal and another site visit should take place.