A CHURCH, kennels, riding school, warehouse and dozens of homes and shops could be knocked down as a flurry of demolitions hits Wirral.

They are among the applications currently going through Wirral Council’s planning system, but at different stages of the process.

Included in that list are proposals submitted to council for a church in Heswall to be knocked down and replaced with a brand new facility, while blueprints to demolish a kennels and indoor riding school in Raby are set for approval this week.

The Heswall plans relate to the Church of the Good Shepherd and Parish Hall on Telegraph Road.

They would see the current unit demolished and replaced with a “flexible and sustainable, modern” build that “meets the needs of the church and provides enhanced opportunities for community use and engagement”.

It will seek to be a “beacon in the community with a ‘shop window’, revealing the many community activities that already happen”.

The move is being made as the current building’s “unwelcoming facades fail to capitalise on the enormous potential to engage with the community they serve”.

The planning document, which was submitted to council last month, added: “The proposed new building will have a distinctive identity and a strong presence within Heswall, contributing to its setting through high quality architecture and materials, as well as the daily life and activity visible through the carefully positioned glazing.”

Elsewhere, a demolition of the kennels, cattery and indoor riding school is planned for a site on Raby Road, Raby, which would see eight detached homes built in its place.

There are objections to the application as the site, currently occupied by Woodville Kennels, Cattery and Stables is located within the green belt.

Those opposing it include the Wirral Society, who believe the plans “show a lack of respect for Green Belt land”, adding: “The applicant has not demonstrated very special circumstances for this development.”

The new homes would be in a “horse shoe” arrangement on site, and are recommended for approval by planners at a meeting on Thursday.

The accompanying document says: “The development proposed would remove a number of unattractive, large and bulky buildings and would remove the kennels/cattery from the site which has generated a number of complaints locally in the area.”

When contacted, a spokeswoman for the kennels, cattery and stables company declined to comment.

Other demolitions set to hit Wirral could include a large house on Brimstage Road, Barnston being knocked down to make way for eight apartments in a single block.

Plans for the site, which backs onto Heswall Football Club, have been the subject of 77 objections including fears over congestion, safety and that the design of the proposed development is “ugly”.

There has also been a petition of 36 signatures submitted to the council that the design is “unprecedented, unwanted, unsuitable and ill-sighted”.

They are also recommended for approval at Thursday’s meeting, and the planning document said the development is “considered to be of a scale that relates well to surrounding property and would not result in detrimental change in the character of the area”.

A further demolition is set to see 28 four-bedroom homes erected on the former Pershore House School Playing Fields, off Glenavon Road in Prenton, Birkenhead.

No 81 is set to be demolished if the plans, which are also recommended for approval subject to a referral to the Secretary of State for housing, are pushed through.

Also in Birkenhead, plans have already been approved for the existing retail units and apartments at 165 Bedford Road in Rock Ferry to be knocked down and replaced with 14 new flats.

The new development close to the railway station will be split between two three-storey blocks, and replace the empty units currently on site.

Nearby, proposals have been pushed through to demolish Birkenhead Lawn Tennis Club’s existing clubhouse on Sandy Way, Oxton, and replace it with a brand new one.

Finally, an employee purchase facility on Dock Road South in Bromborough has been given the green light to be demolished – to be replaced with an insulated metal clad building with storage, office and toilets, and retail on the ground floor.

The existing brick building for demolition has asbestos in the roof, and the plans, submitted by applicant Ronald Tinsley, “will enable him to further support his business”.