PLANS to scrap a community car park to make way for a possible housing development have been met with furious opposition from nearby residents.

More than 570 people have signed a protest petition against local authority moves which could see the car park in Field Road, New Brighton, being declared surplus to requirements.

Wirral Council has been putting out feelers across the borough to identify car parks no longer needed for local authority purposes.

The 11-space car park at Field Road has been deemed "appropriate for sale."

Magenta Housing has shown an interest in developing the site for housing.

They advised the council that door-to-door inquiries in Field Road and adjacent Sefton Road indicated that feedback from residents was "generally positive" and that most people were not too concerned about the loss of the car park.

The 575-name petition, however, was backed by claims that the car park was well-used by visitors to three health centres and a chemist shop, a local church and many local residents as most houses in the area did not have off-street parking.

A leading petitioner told the planning authority: "To take this car park away will have a devastating effect on local businesses and residents.

"It will also aggravate an already difficult situation between staff of the medical centres, patients and local residents over parking outside houses."

Planners say the council is satisfied that the proposal would not have a significant detrimental effect on local businesses and residents as survey showed that the maximum occupancy level on the car park was seven vehicles.

The insist that there is sufficient parking space available elsewhere.

Wirral Council's highways and traffic representations panel will tonight (Friday) study recommendations for the traffic regulation order on Field Road car park to be revoked.

The panel's decision will be given further consideration by the council's regeneration and environment policy and performance committee.