PLANS for two housing developments have been approved around Wirral despite concerns over a loss of privacy and lack of parking.

The first will see nine apartments built on land adjacent to Bolton Road East in New Ferry, formed of a single block of two and three-bed apartments.

The second will see seven homes built on the site of existing garages on Mallowdale Close in Eastham.

Both were approved unanimously by Wirral council’s planning committee last week.

In terms of the New Ferry development, the site is currently vacant land neighbouring an industrial plant yard to one side and homes to the other.

According to the application, the land has never been developed but “due to its size and proximity to existing residential units it was likely that an application for residential development would be supported”.

The plans were submitted by Grisedale Developments and the block will be built in brick with a tiled, pitched roof.

Approval came despite objections from ward councillor Warren Ward, who raised concerns about the effect on neighbouring properties because of overlooking, loss of privacy and overshadowing.

A total of 24 objections were also received by the council.

In response to the objections, the application said the development “is not considered to be excessive” in size, and will continue the “established building line” along Bolton Road East.

Speaking about the application at the meeting on Thursday, committee member Cllr Steve Foulkes said: “I think it’s quite a reasonable development. Looking at the map it nicely rounds off the area, and borders what is clearly residential use. I see no reason for objection.”

The Eastham development was submitted by Magenta Living, and will begin after the garages on the brownfield site are demolished.

It will see three two-bed homes, three three-bed homes and one three-bed bungalow, laid out in a semi-detached form facing Mallowdale Close.

It comes after a public consultation in February, when it was “clear” that parking in the area was an issue.

There was a petition of 34 signatures against the plans, and four other objections raising concerns including insufficient parking, emergency vehicles’ access and it being “out of character” with its surroundings.

But the planning report discussed by councillors said the “fairly standard” designs were considered suitable for the area, with an off-street parking space per home.

Supporting plans for approval, committee member Cllr David Elderton said: “I believe it’s a good use of a brownfield site.

“We should be encouraging approval of these types of development.”