Ashton Court housing proposal back before planners

The former Ashton Court sheltered housing complex, earmarked for 14 properties
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Controversial plans to build 14 properties on the site of Ashton Court in West Kirby have been resubmitted.

It comes 12 months after councillors kicked out the proposal for 13 three-storey townhouses and a two-storey detached house, and more than two years since the original application was turned down.

The scheme put forward for the split site by Starfish Commercial Ltd is the same as previously, for a total of 13 houses fronting on to Banks Road, and another property behind on the south side.

Ashton Court development

The applicant says: “We feel that this is a great mix of utilising the site to its full potential in terms of densities but without having a detrimental consequence on amenity space or jeopardising the existing character of the area.

“Each block has been arranged to address and strengthen the street frontage as well as providing natural surveillance. The street and footpath layout allows good access for vehicles and pedestrians creating sufficient levels of separation to increase safety, and reduce antisocial behaviour”.

Access to the site would be from Ashton Drive, with one parking space per property.

Proposals for development of Ashton Court
Proposals for development of Ashton Court

Councillors rejected the last application – which attracted almost 1,000 objections – in January 2018. Scores of residents descended on Wallasey Town Hall for the meeting.

West Kirby Campaign Group, which opposes the proposal, is already leafleting the area urging people to sign a petition, and is calling for the 22 flats on the site to be refurbished and kept as social housing.

Consultation on the planning application closes on Thursday 17 January and can be viewed here.

Starfish Commercial has been asked for comment.