New Brighton scheme hit by economic slowdown

May 20 2009 by Liam Murphy, Wallasey News

ONE of Wirral’s key regeneration schemes has had a key element shelved because of the economic slowdown.

Neptune Developments has confirmed it will hold back on the rest of the development which had been planned to be built along with the new Floral Pavilion theatre, in the first phase of the development.

But the company has now agreed to rent the land to Wirral Council for a nominal fee to be used as a car park.

The apartments had been marketed as the “Rococo Square complex” and was intended to create a new town square on Victoria Parade along with family-orientated restaurants and bars.

However, Neptune insisted that the second phase of the development – anchored by a Morrisons supermarket – still remained on track.

Neptune has outline planning approval for the second phase of their ambitious redevelopment of the Wirral seaside town, won after a public inquiry threw out the original scheme following fierce opposition from locals.

Rob Mason, Neptune’s development director, said: “Phase one of our plans for New Brighton included the Floral Pavilion Theatre and Conference Centre, which was opened to great public acclaim late last year, and a number of apartments.

“Due to the current global economic slowdown, we have put the plans for the apartments on hold and, in the meantime, are working with Wirral Council to arrange for them to temporarily use this land for extra car parking for the very popular theatre next door.

“We will be submitting the detailed planning application for phase two of the scheme very shortly and we will continue with those elements of phase one once the market improves.”