West Kirby seafront plans may require hotel supplies again

A "second chance" has been offered to proposals to build a new boutique hotel on West Kirby's seafront, it has been reported.

Indeed, the firm behind the proposals - Carpenter Investments - may soon find themselves looking for hotel supplies such as wholesale towels, after the Wirral Globe reported that councillors have voted for the plans to go back to cabinet.

The £5 million Sail Project was to include a 45-bed boutique hotel within its complex and it had been hoped this would provide competition to Hope Street Hotel in Liverpool.

However, in October the cabinet rejected the proposals due to concerns it would lead to a loss of car parking space.

But councillor Steve Foulkes suggested that the project be looked at again, voicing his opinion that it may have been thrown out prematurely.

He said that the developers should have more time to carry out a traffic assessment and that the development, which would include a sailing school, could become a tourist attraction.

Alan Beer, of Carpenter Investments, said: "At a time when there is no public money available, we are offering to build a world class sailing school and hotel. We are right here, right now."

Meanwhile, Liberal Democrat leader councillor Gill Gardiner noted that the developers had "bent over backwards" to cater to the demands of objectors.

Elsewhere, the Bucks Free Press has reported that, subject to planning obligations, the green light has been given for a new 120-bed Premier Inn in High Wycombe.