There are fears for wildlife iF trees are cut down as part of plans to build a semi-detached villa in an area of Wirral.
The villa would be built on "a piece of grassed, undeveloped land with mature trees" on Noctorum Road on the Wirral near Wirral Golf Club. The area around Noctorum Road is described as having "spacious and rural character" with "large detached houses with extensive gardens."
The plans for the villa, made up of two properties, are recommended for approval when they come before a meeting of Wirral Council's planning committee. This is despite objections coming in from 96 people in a petition, and 24 people in letters to the council.
READ MORE: Man named one of Liverpool's 'most prolific shoplifters' banned from town
Those against the application also said nesting birds, bats, owls and foxes would be affected and there was “a risk to mature protected trees,” as well as the existence of a possible air raid shelter on the site.
Michael Traynor who put forward the application with Paddock Johnson Architects however said the proposal would deliver “functional and contemporary homes” and that “the proposed development stands proud and strong within its settings.”
Documents linked to the application said: “The new properties will enhance the immediate contextual character and improve the existing street scene, by providing much needed new homes.
“This proposal aims to bring a new lease of life to the site and use the site to its full potential with high quality design.”
After the objections, plans have been revised from two detached houses to one building as well as some windows being glazed and the removal of balconies.
The application was due to come up at a meeting on March 16 but was postponed after Cllr Steve Foulkes raised concerns people hadn’t had time to consider recent changes to the plans.
Developers have argued it is brownfield land and would avoid the need to develop within the greenbelt. However those against the application argue it is not brownfield as it has not been previously developed.
A Wirral Council report said planning permission could be given as a previous application for one house had previously been approved and the site isn’t classified as “local green space.”
Neighbours also argued the plans would be “an overdevelopment of the site,” goes against guidelines on the number of homes in the area, and not enough parking is provided. The council report said while it exceeded density guidelines, it would still “protect the area’s prevailing character.”
Three trees are expected to be removed if the development goes ahead as well as some self-seeded sycamores. Though far below the number of replacement trees usually required, the report said three replacements would be enough alongside new hedge planting.
Over concerns there may be an air raid shelter on the site, the report said: “There are no heritage assets recorded on the Merseyside Historic Environment Record within the proposed development and the proposed development site is considered to have negligible archaeological potential.”
The recommendation to approve said the design of the villa is acceptable and “will not harm the amenities of the neighbouring properties” and isn’t considered overbearing. If approved, no trees will be cut down between March and August to avoid any impact on nesting birds.
READ NEXT:
Man 'loved by so many people' dies after falling from Bootle Strand car park
Gang of masked children have 'zero respect' intimidating police in park
