FROM a unique new gym opening to an off-licence trying to win planning permission after it was recently refused, many decisions made by the council’s planners over new developments are not generally reported on unless they are particularly controversial or large in scale.
But that is not to say they aren’t important – these plans have big effects on the residents, visitors and businesses in their local communities.
Here, we have scoured the depths of Wirral Council’s planning lists to reveal seven important proposals that could soon become a reality near your home.
1. A fancy new gym is set to open in Heswall
A new gym promising 'never seen before' classes and state-of-the-art equipment will soon open in a Wirral town.
Advance Fitness Heswall will offer users facilities its owners say are not available elsewhere in the borough, with a focus on team exercise.
It will open on July 21 after its application to display its advertising sign on the outside of the building was approved by Wirral council’s planning officers.
Andrew Murray, director of the new gym, said: “We felt that Heswall needed a premium level, deluxe style boutique, user-friendly gym that it doesn’t have at the moment.
“The gym game at the moment is pushing more towards team exercise.
“We have had the site for a while now but didn’t know what to do with it, so we did a tour of gyms in London, York and Manchester having a look at different styles and ideas. There’s no other gym like this in Heswall.”
2. Shop plan for ex-car garage
Plans have been lodged with the council to transform a former car garage in Birkenhead into an off-licence and grocery store.
The plans for the Beckwith Street site, which have previously been turned down before an appeal was dismissed, have been resubmitted.
They were initially rejected on the grounds they would be 'detrimental' to nearby homes because of the opening hours and nuisance caused, and that it was an 'inappropriate' development.
To date, the application has had four objections from local residents, but in the application, submitted by Murugesu Gopinath, it said the new plans 'fully take into account' the previous refusal reasons.
They aim to introduce a new floor layout plus sound proofing, to help prevent the spread of noise and disturbance.
3. Five stables to be demolished and replaced with a home
Stables at an old farm in Bidston are to be demolished and replaced with a new home.
It will mean five of Bidston Hall Farm’s eight stables will be knocked down, and plans were approved last week to build a single-storey timber annex home in their place.
That will provide self-contained accommodation with two bedrooms for a family member at the site close to the historic Grade II-listed Bidston Hall.
4. Prenton Clinic is adding 10 spaces to its car park
The clinic on Prenton Village Road says the current number of spaces is 'completely inefficient for its current demand of visitors and staff.'
The single-storey clinic was erected in the early 1970s, and is now increasing its capacity for cars from four to 14 after permission was approved.
5. Ex-Post Office to become four homes
An old Post Office in Wallasey that has laid vacant for years is to become four flats, if a planning application is approved.
The large building, opposite the Saddle Inn on Withens Lane near Liscard will be transformed into two one-bedroom flats, one two-bedroom flat and a three-bedroom flat.
The first-floor homes will be accessed via a new steel staircase, which is to be built as part of the work.
6. More electric car charging bays for Wirral
A service station near Hoylake is set to add charging bays for electric cars.
The Hoylake Road Service Station will soon add two charging points for those drivers using the environmentally friendly vehicles, which have reportedly shot up in popularity recently.
According to charging point mapping website Zap Map, there are currently nine in Wirral, making the proposed development the tenth.
7. Flat plan for former Azzura salon
Liscard’s Azzura salon, which only closed last year, could soon be turned into a flat.
The move would see the existing shop front removed and reconstructed as well as new double glazed windows installed for the two-bed home.
There is already a self-contained flat on the first floor of the Seaview Road building, and plans were submitted to the council on March 26.
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