Controversial New Brighton scheme faces more objections

Jul 29 2009 by Liam Murphy, Birkenhead News

DEVELOPERS behind the £60m revamp of a Wirral seaside town will face more objections as they attempt to clear the final hurdle before work can start.

Neptune Developments are awaiting detailed planning permission for the second phase of their ambitious New Brighton scheme, following completion of the first phase – the Floral Pavilion Theatre last year.

But they have again angered local protesters after submitting an application to vary a key condition of the permission they already have.

The entire scheme was redrawn when a public inquiry ruled against it in 2006 following a massive campaign opposing Neptune’s plans.

Compromise was later reached, and as part of its assurances the company agreed to a condition that one of the most controversial aspects of the scheme – a supermarket on the seafront – would be built after the rest of the project was substantially completed.

The entire scheme will see a revamp of New Brighton’s marine lake, a hotel, cinema, restaurants and bars as well as a lido and fitness centre and model boating lake.

However, the Wellington Road Conservation Advisory Committee (WRCAC) has now raised concerns about the application by Neptune to bring forward building work on the Morrisons supermarket.

It said: “Neptune’s application to remove conditions precluding the developer from proceeding to construct a supermarket until leisure facilities are completed raises substantive issues.”

WRCAC has also made formal objections to the detailed planning application, particularly highlighting the “impact, height, scale and mass of the proposed health/fitness centre will have on the existing free open air facilities which it would replace”.