Controversial New Brighton scheme faces more objections

Jul 29 2009 by Liam Murphy, Birkenhead News

A spokeswoman for WRCAC described the fitness centre as “spurious” and said it had “more to do with maximising the return to the developer’s profits than providing a realistic, sustainable leisure facility”.

She said: “Now, the requirement to build this block delays the overall re-development of the former bathing pool site.”

But Rob Mason, Neptune’s development director, pointed to the success of the new Floral Pavilion Theatre and Conference Centre which he said “confirmed our commitment to delivery and to quality”.

Mr Mason said they aimed to begin work on the rest of the scheme in late autumn and complete the new promenade and model boating lake within eight months of the start.

He said: “The new supermarket will be completed next, 12 months after the start on site, ready for fit-out by the operator, Morrisons.

“The new hotel, cinema and a number of the leisure buildings will be completed three months later, again ready for fit-out by the operators.

“The final elements, the rest of the leisure buildings and the Lido will be completed two to three months later, around 18 months after the start on site. The order of the programme means we are able to deliver all the public realm areas first and then we are completing elements of the scheme to meet the needs of the end users.

“We believe everything will be completed in 2011, making it an extremely significant and exciting year for New Brighton.”