Fresh designs have been submitted for a retirement living development on the site of the former Bromborough Civic Centre, after Wirral Council sold the land to property developer McCarthy & Stone.
The Civic Centre, which housed the library, closed in 2022 as part of a council cost-cutting drive that shut several libraries across the borough. The site was put on the market in 2024 and subsequently sold to McCarthy & Stone.
Updated design revealed
New documents appeared on the council's planning portal this week, offering a revised look at the proposed building. The L-shaped housing block on Allport Lane would contain 46 apartments for older people, comprising 29 one-bedroom and 17 two-bedroom homes.
The building would sit on the south of the Civic Centre site, with a car park planned for the north, near the boundary with the neighbouring Co-op food store. The latest mock-ups show a three-storey structure with a mixed-colour façade of red brick and white rendered areas, a change from earlier designs that suggested a fully brick exterior.
Benefits for older residents
Plans submitted to the council explain the concept behind the housing: "Retirement living housing is a proven option for older people who wish to move into accommodation that provides comfort, security and the ability to manage independently to a greater extent. It enables older people to remain living in the community and out of institutions whilst enjoying peace of mind and receiving the care and support that they need."
The proposals also highlight potential local employment benefits. They state: "McCarthy & Stone manages its construction sites and employs sub-contractors to conduct the building activities. The level of employment varies during the construction but on average around 35 people will be employed over a 12-month build programme. McCarthy & Stone encourages all its sub-contractors to employ local labour sources, particularly those who are currently unemployed. It also encourages sub-contractors to employ apprentices."
