CONTROVERSIAL plans for a 'fun factory' pub and restaurant have been approved by Wirral Council despite protests by councillors and members of the public.

Wallasey Tory councillors Kate Wood and Lesley Rennie led objections against the proposed development at the former Derby Pool site, Wallasey

Lib Dem leader Coun Phil Gilchrist, with colleague Coun Pat Williams, also wanted more time to debate the proposal in the public interest.

Mayor Barney Gilfoyle had to warn Wallasey residents in the public gallery to be quiet during the debate. Wallasey Labour councillor Melanie Iredale made her maiden speech supporting the pub project and Labour voted it through.

New Brighton Labour councillor Pat Hackett recalled the days when the Derby Bathing Pool was a busy place with chalets and amusements: "It was far from peaceful then. The new pub, in contrast, would be, and would be properly run for families." It was not a club, or near houses.

Former Spinner, Coun Mick Groves, agreed, also recalling his youthful days down at the Derby Pool when it was full of 'teenage tearaways'.

Coun Jeff Green, Conservative member for Thurstaston, supported Couns Wood and Rennie criticising the art deco toilet design of the new pub.

Wallasey resident and Leader of the Council, Coun Dave Jackson, also recalled the days when the Derby Pool catered for 1,000 bathers, with a cafe roof for 200 sunbathers. "There is nothing wrong with having a pub at each end of the front, at New Brighton and Harrison Drive."

New Brighton Community Partners and Wallasey Civic Society put in written objections against the approval of plans for a licensed pub, restaurant, children's fun factory, flat and car parking.

Planning chairman Coun John Cocker (Lab) told Council the site had been earmarked for tourism development for many years. To claim it would be a loss of green space was nonsense, he said. In 1990 a planning brief was prepared, indicating a hotel or restaurant.

"Don't forget the adjacent site was originally a swimming baths and therefore has a history of being a public place with a potential for noisy fun." He accused some of the Conservative councillors of 'parochial racism'. "We are all Wirral councillors and must act in the best interests of Wirral," he added.

Despite trouble with 'gremlins' in the new electronic voting board, all objections to the pub were voted down by the Labour Group.

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