Housing provider Magenta Living has scrapped plans to build 14 homes on Banks Road in West Kirby.
The development, on the site of the former Ashton Court sheltered housing complex, was meant to feature 13 three-storey townhouses and a two-storey detached house.
After years of planning wrangles, permission was finally granted by an independent inspector in 2020, and the site was cleared in 2023 in preparation for the development.
It brought to an end a four-year saga in which Wirral Council’s planning committee rejected three applications to develop the site following objections from local residents opposed to the scale, design and impact on parking.
There were also concerns about the homes being made available for private sale rather than social housing, and the amount of money the developer was putting towards affordable homes on other schemes.
West Kirby Today understands that after planning permission was granted, discussions took place about the homes being made available for affordable rent.
But now the land has put been put for auction with a guide price of £1.3 – £1.5 million, with the proceeds set to be reinvested in other schemes “elsewhere in Wirral” – although the organisation says it is exploring other opportunities for social housing in West Kirby.
The homes that were given planning permission in 2020
In a statement, a spokesperson for Magenta Living said: “After careful consideration, Magenta Living has decided to sell the vacant land at Banks Road, West Kirby (the former Ashton Court site).
“By reinvesting the proceeds from the sale of this site, elsewhere in Wirral, we will be able to provide a greater number of high-quality, affordable homes, making a more significant impact on our communities. This approach directly supports our goal to build 1,000 new homes across Wirral by 2030. Specific details about future development locations and timelines will be communicated as these projects progress.
“We understand that many residents had hoped to see affordable homes built in West Kirby. Please be assured that Magenta Living remains committed to working with the West Kirby community and exploring opportunities for future investment in the area. We appreciate everyone’s patience and will provide further updates after the sale is complete.”
