Wirral extra care scheme returns to committee 

Proposals from NHS Property Services and contractor Anwyl Construction for a 53-home retirement scheme in Liscard, Wallasey are earmarked for approval after being refused against officers’ recommendations earlier this year. 

Wirral Council  refused the plans in April due to concerns over the loss of 30 protected trees at the 1.2-acre site off Greenheys Road. 

An amended application, to be decided on later today, states that the developer will plant new trees to make up for those lost under the plans, and also include provision for an extra 13 trees. 

The applicants want to build a part two-storey, part three-storey development containing 53 extra care units to provide supported living accommodation for residents with off-site, 24-hour care. 

Of the homes, 45 would be one-bedroom units, while eight would be two-bedroom units. The scheme would also have space for car parking and associated landscaping. 

The site contains two vacant single-storey buildings, previously occupied as residential care homes, most recently Sycamore Lodge Nursing Home.  

The existing buildings would be demolished to make way for the new structure under the proposals drawn up by planning consultancy Hive Land and Planning. 

In March, Place North West reported that Magenta Living, a Wirral-based housing association, was in advanced talks with Anwyl on an £8.5m deal to operate the facility, which has been designed by John McCall Architects. 

Magenta is operating another Anwyl extra care scheme, a 21-apartment development in Pensby, which completed in July.