Plans to convert a former children's soft play area into bedsits have been refused by Wirral Council. The application sought to transform the site of the former Clown Around in Birkenhead into four separate residential units.
Location and Proposed Layout
The site is situated on the corner of Beckwith Street and Aspinall Street, near Birkenhead Park. The rejected plans would have divided the building's ground floor into four bedsits. Three of the units were to be accessed via new doors on Beckwith Street, while the fourth would have an entrance on Aspinall Street.
Reasons for Refusal
A council report on the application stated that although the principle of converting the site to residential use is acceptable, several issues led to the refusal. The report noted: "The proposed development would result in inadequate residential accommodation due to the failure of any proposed units to comply with Nationally Described Space Standards."
The report also criticised the planned new openings, stating they "would result in a development which does not contribute positively to the existing character of the building or the wider street scene." Additionally, concerns were raised about bin storage, with the report adding: "Given the number of units proposed, this could result in at least eight bins having to be stored on the public highway which would have a detrimental impact on the amenity of the street scene."
History of the Building
The property, currently vacant, was most recently a children's play area and previously operated as a vehicle repair business. The site has a history of unsuccessful planning applications. In 2024, plans for a convenience store were rejected after nearly 400 local residents signed a petition against them. Separate applications to bring the building back into use were also refused by the council in 2017 and 2018.
