DEVELOPERS planning to build on land used by Wirral children are being opposed by the leader of Wirral Council.

Councillor Phil Davies has opposed the development - which would see grassland at the top of Simpson Street and Parkfield Avenue turned into a car park - for a number of reasons.

He said: "If the plans are approved it will result in an amenity loss for a large number of children who live around the Simpson Street and Parkfield Avenue area. 

"Many children regularly play in these streets and walk along them to access Conway Street to go to school or to visit Europa Pools. 

"A number of these streets in the past were officially designated as 'play streets'.

"I am also extremely concerned that the large increase in the volume of vehicles using these streets to access the proposed car park will endanger the safety of the young children who live and play in the area."

Cllr Davies: "The same applies to a large number of pensioners who live in the surrounding area.

"I also oppose the development on the grounds that there is little evidence of a shortage of official car parking spaces in Birkenhead. 

"Until evidence is shown to the contrary, I hope the planning committee will side with the children and pensioners and turn down this application."

Cllr Davies has also made a formal request that the applicatio be taken out of delegation and dealt with by officers so that the full planning committee can consider it at a meeting in the near future.