CONTROVERSIAL plans to change the face of the New Brighton seafront seem to set clear a major hurdle next week.

The £70m regeneration scheme, which has taken years of preparation, goes before Wirral planning authority on Tuesday for ratification and likely submission to Government Office North West.

The proposals, which have triggered both strong support and fierce opposition, have been given the seal of approval by Wirral's chief planner Jim Wilkie.

Summing up a 48-page report to next week's meeting of Wirral planning committee, the director of planning and economic development said the venture could act as a catalyst for further positive developments in Wirral as well as offering considerable benefit for regeneration of the Mersey resort.

He commented: "The proposed development would bring about the economic and physical regeneration of New Brighton, which has long been a council objective.

"The scheme is soundly-based financially and the non-leisure elements (including a seafront supermarket) are necessary for the whole scheme's viability.

"It would also serve to reconnect the town with the seashore on a coherent and accessible way."

He said the 8,034 square metre supermarket - operated by Morrisons - would fill a need for a quality retail development in the area, without harming existing centres.

The proposals, which cover most of the coastal strip from Tower Promenade to the first King's Parade roundabout, include construction of 143 flats, a new marine lake and model boating lake, outdoor lido, mixed leisure developments, an extension to the Floral Pavilion Theatre, restaurant/wine bar quarter, recreation areas, food superstore, petrol filling station and car parking.

The scheme has all-party support on Wirral Council, but there has been a wave of opposition, including letters of objection from as far away as Australia.

Almost 600 individual protest letters were lodged along with petitions opposed to the building of a supermarket and petrol station on the site of the existing marine lake or the old open-air pool.

New Brighton Heritage Action Group lodged a petition with signatures from 15,066 households.

Further petitions came from the owners of Fort Perch Rock, Friends of New Brighton Marine Lake, the owner of New Brighton lighthouse, Wellington Road conservation area and various households and businesses.

New Brighton Traders Association, representing 90 businesses have pledged support for the scheme and more than 130 letters of support were received by the local planning authority.