Tag: cafe

Will councillors tell the public what Neptune's plans for Birkenhead Market are?

Will councillors tell the public what Neptune’s plans for Birkenhead Market are?

Will councillors tell the public what Neptune’s plans for Birkenhead Market are?

                                                 

Indicative illustration of Neptune Development Limited's masterplan for Birkenhead Town Centre
Indicative illustration of Neptune Development Limited’s masterplan for Birkenhead Town Centre

Thursday’s meeting of Wirral Council’s Cabinet had a last-minute item added to its agenda titled “Birkenhead Town Centre – Masterplan Principles”. Neptune Developments Limited (the company behind the New Brighton Marine Point development) have a plan and want Cabinet to approve a consultation on it.

These are the elements of the masterplan:

  • Demolish Europa Pools
  • Build new leisure centre on the car park next to Conway Park train station
  • On the site of what was Europa Pools build a drive through restaurant, public bar/restaurant and seven units (probably cafés and restaurants) plus car parking
  • Reduce the car parking adjacent to Birkenhead Bus Station and put a café there
  • Remodel Birkenhead Bus Station to “remove service vehicles and avoid pedestrian/bus conflicts”
  • Remodel Birkenhead Market Hall
  • Possibly a hotel on the vacant plot on the corner of Conway Street and Europa Boulevard

There’s even a ten page leaflet with glossy photos about the proposals on Wirral Council’s website.

What probably won’t be reported by the rest of the press, as Wirral Council have chosen to keep much of these details out of the public domain is that according to this report (see 2.5) from 2013 Neptune Developments Limited have an interest in one of the pieces of land in Conway Street that would be needed for the scheme.

The report going to Cabinet on Thursday evening also states “No other options have therefore been considered as NDL has already secured an interest in the balance of the land that is needed to deliver the re-provided market.” If Cabinet agree to consult on these plans, Wirral Council will have to seek legal advice that including Europa Pools in the proposals won’t contravene procurement or state aid rules.

At the moment, there is uncertainty as to what the proposals mean for Birkenhead Market and hopefully some light can be shed on this element of the proposals at the Cabinet meeting this Thursday evening.

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Planning Committee (Wirral Council) 26th September 2013 OUT/13/00551: Unused Land, Valley Road, Bidston – Outline application for the construction of indoor skate park with associated facilities including offices, cafe, flexible learning spaces, business support for young entrepreneurs and car parking

Planning Committee (Wirral Council) 26th September 2013 OUT/13/00551: Unused Land, Valley Road, Bidston – Outline application for the construction of indoor skate park with associated facilities including offices, cafe, flexible learning spaces, business support for young entrepreneurs and car parking

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Planning Committee (Wirral Council) 26th September 2013 OUT/13/00551: Unused Land, Valley Road, Bidston – Outline application for the construction of indoor skate park with associated facilities including offices, café, flexible learning spaces, business support for young entrepreneurs and car parking

                            

Continues from Planning Committee (Wirral Council) 26th September 2013 APP/12/01502: Seafields, Park Lane, CH47 8XX – 3 Holiday Eco Chalets with associated parking and screening.

The video for this application starts here. The Chair, Cllr Bernie Mooney left the room during this item having previously declared a prejudicial interest. The Vice-Chair Cllr Denise Realey took the Chair for this item. She asked the officer to introduce the report.

The officer said the application was for outline planning permission with all matters reserved. The land was allocated for recreational development so in principle it was acceptable. The National Planning Policy Framework stated that sports facilities should be located within town centres, but the applicant had submitted a sequential test looking at alternative sites which weren’t available for a development of this size. The officers felt it would be a beneficial use for a vacant site and recommended it for approval.

The Vice-chair asked if there were any petitioners or ward councillors that wished to speak? There weren’t. Cllr Anita Leech asked why at the weekends the opening times were only until 7pm? The officer said that these were the opening times put forward by the applicant. The Vice-chair said that the applicant could ask for permission to extend the opening times in the future.

Cllr Eddie Boult said that they all wanted an indoor skate park in their area and was happy to accept the application. Cllr Anita Leech asked if the trees would be replanted. Matthew Davies replied that the trees were scrub trees and had no amenity value therefore did not warrant a condition requiring replacement.

Cllr Joe Walsh proposed approval of the application, Cllr David Elderton seconded approval. All councillors (except Cllr Bernie Mooney who was absent during this item) voted in favour of the application so it was approved.

Continues at Planning Committee (Wirral Council) 26th September 2013 APP/13/00676: Ring O Bells Hotel, Village Road, West Kirby, CH48 7HE – New external children’s play equipment.

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