Wirral’s first webchat is a big success as readers grill West Kirby ‘The Sail’ developers Carpenter Investments

Jul 16 2008 by Laura Jones, Birkenhead News

WIRRAL NEWS' first ever webchat last week saw readers logging on to grill developers about a controversial hotel development planned for West Kirby.

David Brewitt of Carpenter Investments, the development company behind “The Sail” proposal, came into the News office, accompanied by Gill Rutter from Wirral Council, to answer your questions live.

Debate raged as members of the public, West Kirby homeowners and even the odd ex-pat quizzed Mr Brewitt about Carpenter Investment's vision for the site.

The News ran its own poll during the webchat, and asked: “Do you support The Sail project?”

An overwhelming 77 per cent of those responding voted “no”, while 23pc voted “yes”.

These results contrasted with the findings of a previous survey carried out by developers at a consultation at West Kirby concourse, in which 46pc of people responded in favour of the scheme, 36pc against and 18pc were undecided.

Questions about the consultation at West Kirby Concourse, safety and policing, car parking and the building process flooded in.

To read Mr Brewitt's responses to these issues and more log onto www.wirralnews.co.uk - here are just some of the views put forward:

Billy Kay: “It is so sad that in this day and age there is such continuous negativity - why can't anyone see that the developers are trying to make this area a better place?

“Better facilities better views better trade better jobs for people and helps to put this area on the map for all to appreciate - why are people in this area so afraid of change even when it is for the better for them and their families?”

RobertP: “It seems to me that the developer and the Council stand to benefit financially from the scheme, but to the disbenefit of many residents of the Wirral.

“In short it appears a scheme to benefit the comparatively wealthy few and to disadvantage the less well off majority.”

l We are hoping to hold more webchats over the next few months – who do you think should be next in the hotseat? Tell us by emailing newsdesk@wirralnews.co.uk or visit our forums at www.wirralnews.co.uk/forums