A PETITION has been handed in to Wirral Council raising concerns about a scheme to convert a six-bedroom house into "supported living" accommodation for teenagers leaving care.

Residents of Alexandra Road in Birkenhead say they are concerned the move will compromise their safety, lead to disturbance and noise and increase traffic problems.

However, a report to next week's planning committee recommends the scheme should be given the go-ahead.

The application proposes accommodation for "semi-independent living" for up to eight 16-to-18-year-old young adults to stay at any one time, sharing a communal lounge and kitchen area.

Staff would be on hand 24-hours-a-day to provide supervision.

The organisation behind the scheme has been established for the last five years and runs other similar properties in the area.

Notes attached to the report by the director of planning recognise that care homes can increase activity in terms of comings and goings and general noise.

Poor standard of maintenance "can also affect the character of the residential area".

The report states: "Highly-intensive uses can give rise to a level of activity out of keeping with the street and wear and tear on the fabric of the houses themselves could also occur.

"Transient populations may not relate to the established community."

However, the building is "considered to be of a scale that can accommodate the proposal".

The change of use would "not generate a level of activity which could affect the privacy and quietness neighbouring residents are entitled to expect"

Recommending approval, planners said: "The proposal is not considered detrimental to the character of the residential area, or cause nuisance to the surrounding residential areas by virtue of its scale and use."

Councillors will be asked to make a decision when the committee meets on Thursday night.