DOZENS of homes could soon be built on the site of a Rock Ferry sports club and bowling green, as well as a former dance school in Birkenhead.

Separate planning applications have been submitted to Wirral Council which could see the Laird Sports Club building in Rock Ferry demolished, with 49 new houses and apartments built in its place by a housing association.

The other would see three apartments installed inside the existing dance school at the old Post Office building in Argyle Street, Birkenhead.

In terms of the Laird plans, the application, submitted on behalf of Pine Court Housing Association, would mean homes are built on both the site of the sports club building and bowling green, even though the latter lies within the Rock Park Conservation Area.

The application said: “We feel that the scheme will have a positive impact in this area as a direct result of its design and appearance.

“We feel that a quality scheme can be delivered with a client who is fully committed to positive interventions and has an vested interest already in the area.”

It comes after a reported decline in the number of club members, and consequently, the application said, 'the facility has become less attractive as its environment falls into further disrepair with its outdated, basic facilities.'

Wirral Globe: The plans include apartments at the old Post Office building in Argyle Street

Laird Sports Club approached the housing association as it could no longer afford to sustain the running and maintenance costs of the ground on St Peter’s Road, it added.

It said the scheme would not only benefit the community but the club too, helping it afford improved facilities to 'meet current standards.'

That 'in turn shall provide an opportunity to attract new members and ensure the club can be sustained', it concluded.

The site in question is across the road from Cammell Laird 1907 FC’s pitch, and will see a parking space per home, with the buildings a mixture of two and three storeys, if approved by planners.

Discussing the dance school plans for Argyle Street, the application said the school had occupied the site 'for some years', but due to a lack of support was closed around a year ago.

The ground floor has remained vacant since then, it added.

A general access and design statement for the plans, submitted earlier this month, read: “The Dance School was a good facility, but having closed, we feel that the use proposed is ideal for this location, creating a beneficial presence to this area of the town.

“The building is well located in central town situation.

"It has excellent transport links to both bus and train stations, at less than quarter mile distance, and has a local taxi rank just across the road.”

According to the plans, submitted by applicant Norman Baker, the first floor of the building already contains two flats, with its exterior thought to be in 'good condition.'

It added: “The vacant property has deteriorated slightly, by lack of use, and requires minor maintenance.”

Parking will be provided by on-site space for three cars, as well as 'adequate' facilities adjacent the site.