THE planned transfer of assets from a Wirral housing association to a Liverpool trust moved a step closer to reality tonight after councillors backed the scheme.

Liverpool Housing Trust wants to take over management of assets of Beechwood and Ballantyne Community Housing Association for five years.

The proposal had been recommended for approval when Wirral’s ruling cabinet met on May 28.

But after a 250-name petition was received from residents concerned about the takeover, the decision was deferred pending discussions with protestors.

During a meeting at Wallasey Town Hall tonight, cabinet members voted in favour of the takeover and nominated a council officer to vote on the proposal at the association's forthcoming annual meeting.

Councillor Ann McLachlan,  a BBCHA board member for nine years, said: "BBCHA needs to be part of a plan to manage the estate long into the future.

"They felt they had not been consulted with. There was a public meeting on the estate on June 7, attended by 16 people.

"The meeting ended with all petitioners happy that their concerns were addressed.

"I'm satisfied as ward councillor that everyone of their concerns have been addressed."

The estate's community trust had been locked on collision course with the council.

Opponents had claimed they had been railroaded into accepting the scheme - and warned they won't give up without a fight.

Linda Finn, chairwoman of Beechwood Community Trust, told the Globe at the time: "I would like Beechwood’s assets to stay in Wirral and I'm a bit annoyed we weren't involved in early negotiations.

“It would be nice if the community had a choice - but we feel as if we're being pushed into this and we’re going to fight the merger plan.

“For me, it’s the fact that community buildings will be owned by a body in Liverpool which doesn’t know anything about the area.

“LHT don’t do communities, they do neighbourhoods. Too much hard work has been put into this estate by volunteers to see it all taken away. It would be heartbreaking.”

A questionnaire showed the majority of tenants are supportive of the transfer on the understanding that services they presently receive are not compromised.

Andy Williams, director of Neighbourhood Services at LHT, said: "LHT has a 50-year track record of providing homes and investing in the communities and neighbourhoods where we work.

"We already provide 489 homes on the Wirral and have been operating here for many, many years.

"We see this as a fantastic long-term opportunity to invest and further improve the BBCHA community.

"There would be no question of LHT walking away from the estate after five years – and local consultation that we have been party to has been overwhelmingly in favour of the proposed merger."

The cabinet decision will be ratified by full council when it meets next Monday.