Bromborough housing plan scaled down

Jun 18 2008 by Lorna Hughes, Bromborough and Bebington News

Croft Retail Park homes plan

MAJOR changes have been made to plans for more than 100 new homes at a Bromborough retail park in a bid to resolve residents’ concerns.

The owners of the Croft Retail and Leisure Park, USS (Universities Superannuation Scheme Ltd) recently held a public exhibition to outline their proposals for 5.6 acres of redundant land, which was previously part of the park’s car park.

The scheme has now been scaled down and redesigned and would see a maximum of 105 housing units built - reduced from an earlier maximum of 115.

An existing landscaped “mound” at the west of the site will also stay, in line with residents’ wishes.

USS’s portfolio manager for retail property, Fergus Egan, said: “This change is specifically aimed at addressing a fundamental concern raised by residents living opposite the site who want the landscaped mound to stay.”

He added: “We are grateful to everyone who attended the public exhibition regarding our proposals and returned completed comments forms to us.

“We have carefully reviewed all the comments made and tried to take account of the views expressed wherever possible.”

Other changes to the scheme include the introduction of a gateway road-narrowing feature at the entrance to the development and a 20mph speed limit.

A number of residents suggested access for the new housing should be via Stadium Road but USS believes this would be ruled out by planning officers.

However construction traffic would enter the site via Stadium Road during building.

Bromborough councillor Steve Niblock said: “I welcome the fact that USS has listened to the consultation and the views of local residents.

“However, this is still at an early stage and clearly the final details of the plans will need to be looked at to ensure that all considerations and concerns are taken into account.”