A MERSEYSIDE village has been “saved” after councillors voted to remove its “vital” car park from the area’s local plan.

Bromborough car park was set to be released for housing development but the proposals were subject to fierce local opposition, with more than 3,000 Wirral people signing a petition against them.

It’s been claimed “the slightest hint of damage” to the car park will “bring the village down”, with fears over competition from the neighbouring Croft Retail Park, which offers free parking and dozens of national shops and restaurants.

The petition was last night discussed at the full meeting of Wirral Council, where elected members from all parties voted for it to be removed from the local plan, as well as to reassure the community that Bromborough is still a “highly valued district centre”.

Addressing the meeting, lead petitioner Phil Spencer called the car park the “heart” of the village, adding: “It’s our circulatory system which feeds people through our shops and businesses day after day. For us to have a free accessible car park is essential to Bromborough’s social and economic future.”

The initial proposals came as part of Wirral Council’s local plan consultation, which set out to review “all potential development options” across the borough including the green belt, with the Bromborough car park – and the civic centre – among the hundreds listed.

But Mr Spencer said that decision was “born out of thrift rather than diligence”, adding: “The only factors considered were the revenue it generates and housing that follows. We understand these are factors but not the only factors.

“Relieve us from the worry that we’ve carried for months, and at the same time leave Bromborough village to thrive as it should.”

Campaigners behind the Change.org petition against the plans said last year the loss of the car park would “kill” the area off – and be remembered as a “disaster of epic proportions”.

Addressing the meeting, Cllr Cherry Povall said the plans had caused a “great deal of concern”, and that it would be “nothing short of criminal” to allow development.

She added: “If we lose Bromborough that would be the start of the rot. We see how New Ferry has fared. We cannot allow Bromborough to end up with unused and derelict shops.”

Cllr Dave Mitchell said residents “rely” on the village centre.

“[The village] does need supporting. The slightest hint of any damage will bring the village down.”

Cllr Irene Williams added: “There are plenty of sites on Wirral which could be used to build residential properties without the need to use up valuable parking space or green belt.”

The move has come despite the UK Government this week saying Wirral’s local plan must include 803 homes per year until 2035 – far higher than the 500 figure many in the borough were hoping for.

A motion voted through by councillors on Monday will ask the council and cabinet to remove the car park from the local plan.

Here it is in full:

To protect the amenity and the financial stability of Bromborough Shopping Area, Council requests that Cabinet and Council Officers remove the car park from the Local Plan.

Furthermore, Council wishes to reassure the petitioners that Bromborough is a highly valued district centre.

Council recognises the strength of feeling and concerns expressed by local people. Council believes that proper consultation should take place on any changes to the facilities valued by the community.