Car park row over homes plan for blast town

Plans for homes to be built in a town centre destroyed by an explosion have been passed despite some objections to the scheme.

Wirral councillors approved 43 affordable homes on the Woodhead Street car park and a former Co-op store in New Ferry, Wirral.

But 18 objectors backed by 330 who signed a petition were concerned about losing parking spaces.

Borough planners said the benefits of the homes would outweigh the negatives.

The explosion injured 81 people, made 78 people homeless overnight and left 28 businesses closed behind police cordons.

Seven businesses were destroyed and never reopened.

Since then, Wirral Council has been working with the Regenda Group on plans for homes in the town centre including on the site of the explosion itself.

Work has already begun on 34 homes on two other sites.

Councillors praised the scheme for its new green space, access to the nearby high street.

Councillor Sue Powell-Wilde said the development had the potential “to enhance the area significantly”.

Objectors said the plans for the third site on the Woodhead Street car park would impact nearby homes and businesses.

They said plan goes against a public consultation which had support for keeping the car park.

Mark Craig from the New Ferry Residents Association said losing the spaces would have a serious impact on businesses in New Ferry.

Councillors said data showed the car park was underused and said new homes would bring more people to the high street.

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