PLANS to demolish a Wirral pub to make way for an affordable housing scheme have been submitted to the local authority.

If approved, Warrington-based GallifordTry's scheme will see The Millhouse in Millhouse Lane, Moreton, demolished and 40 apartments for the over 55s built in its place.

The application is to be considered by Wirral planning committee, although no date has been set yet.

A public exhibition to discuss the plans will be held at Moreton Community Centre in Maryland Way, Moreton on Friday, June 20 from 4-7pm.

The scheme has raised concerns from councillors, who fear the proposed buildings are too high for the area. They also believe it could worsen parking problems.

In a letter supporting GallifordTry’s application to the council, Euan Kelly Property Solutions wrote: "Galliford Try is a top five UK house-building company and Top 10 UK contracting business with annual revenues in excess of £1.5bn.

"The development proposals make specific provision for older persons, (over 55s), residential accommodation and comprise 40 residential apartments, of which 15 units will be one-bed units and the remaining 25 will be two-bed apartments.

"All of these units will be made available for affordable rent and will, accordingly, respond to local housing needs."

Conservative councillor for Moreton West and Saughall Massie, Chris Blakeley, said: "While I am not opposed to development in this area, I am not sure that this application is right for this location.

“Millhouse Lane is made up of two-storey houses, detached, semi-detached and town houses. This proposal is for a complex of 40 units for the over-55s and is  two and three storeys in height. It does not appear to fit in with the existing residences.

“I am also disappointed that the applicant appears to have ignored the advice of planning officers who raised concerns about a three-storey building on this site.

“I have some concerns over the parking arrangements with only 22 spaces for a block containing 40 units, does the applicant think if you’re over-55, you don't drive?

“Millhouse Lane and the roads off already suffer with some on street parking problems. This development, if approved, would seem to only exacerbate those problems.

“However it's not really about what I think, it's about what local people who live near to this proposed development think and that's why I, and my colleagues Cllr Steve Williams and Bruce Berry, are leafleting the area.

“We are very keen to hear what local people think, we are here to represent their views and we will do that to the very best of our ability."

Darren Leary, develppment director for GallifordTry, told the Globe: "Through the pre-application process with the local authority planning department we have worked to try to deliver a residential solution to the proposed site that addresses the local character and respects the proximity of nearby buildings in accordance with planning guidance.

"We feel our submission achieves this, however we can fully appreciate any concerns local residents may have.

"To try and allay any concerns we have arranged a public consultation meeting for June 20. We hope, with all the plans on display and members of the design team and GallifordTry present, we can address any concerns of local residents in respect of the proposal."