Wirral Partnership Homes promises to listen to residents’ concerns over new home plan for site of former council care home Pensall House

Oct 31 2012 by Lorna Hughes, Birkenhead News

FEARS have been raised over houses and apartments being built on a former council care home in Pensby.

Wirral Partnership Homes is developing plans for the site of Pensall House on Fairview Way, which was closed by Wirral Council last year.

The current proposed development would see the empty former care home replaced with a mix of 26 two-storey houses and apartments.

But residents living next to the site told the News they were concerned the planned apartment block was too big, too close to their homes and would block out light.

The plans are still at an early stage and no planning application has yet been submitted.

Lib Dem ward councillor Mark Johnston said: “I welcome a sensitive and sensible development of the site.

“However, I feel the area is basically a ‘retirement village’ and would therefore be best suited to increasing accommodation available for retired people rather than mixing in family accommodation.

“I understand residents’ concerns about the development and design and hope that WPH’s consultation exercise is genuine and allows for adaptation of plans in line with local residents’ wishes and concerns.”

A consultation event on the plans took place earlier this month.

Wirral Partnership Homes said concerns would be taken into account before a planning application was submitted.

A spokesman said: “WPH are keen to listen to suggestions and address any concerns, working to find solutions wherever possible as we have at previous developments.”

A SECOND consultation event will take place tomorrow (November 1) at 7pm in Pensall House.