Prenton plans head to Wirral committee
A 28-apartment block replacing The Dell pub and a McDonalds restaurant in Prenton, both of which have attracted significant local opposition, are set to be signed off by the council next week.
The larger of the two schemes is at The Dell, a 1960s-built pub on the corner of Goldsmith Way. According to planning documents, the pub has been suffering from “declining trade” but remains open.
In its place, Onward Homes and architect Paddick Johnson Partnership are proposing a four-storey block of 28 apartments, all of which will be available for affordable tenures. There will also be amenity space along Prenton Hall Road as well as 23 car parking spaces.
The plans have attracted a number of local objections with a 112-name petition put forward against the scheme, with issues raised including the height of the apartment block and the loss of the pub. Despite this, officers have recommended the scheme for approval at next week’s planning committee meeting.
Also recommended for approval is a McDonald’s restaurant on a vacant plot off Prenton Way. This has been in the planning process since 2017 and is also recommended for approval by officers.
The two-storey, 5,400 sq ft restaurant would be located on the North Cheshire Trading Estate next to Junction 3 of the M53. Other surrounding uses are primarily industrial and retail, while there are homes opposite.
Like the proposals for The Dell, there have been significant objections to the scheme with a 219-signature petition put forward against the scheme. Two local councillors, Cllr Tony Norbury and Cllr Sam Frost, have also flagged concerns around the project, particularly residents’ issues over anti-social behaviour and noise.
Local residents also raised concerns over an “increase in traffic” as well as “potential danger to pedestrians”.
Planners have again recommended the scheme for approval despite these issues, arguing it would create new jobs and employment opportunities in the area. Planners also said they were “generally supportive of alternative uses for the site” being brought forward given “the considerable period of time [it] has remained vacant”.
A decision on both schemes will be made on Thursday 30 May.
Hope no kids playing in park get hurt by the influx of more traffi
By Paul