A report by the Director of Law, HR and Asset Management informed the Cabinet of the current position with regard to “The Sail” project in West Kirby and sought approval to conclude negotiations with the proposed developer.  The report set out the background, the present position and additional information.

Councillor G Ellis apologised to the Cabinet for the quotes attributed to him in the local press that had stated that the Cabinet would not proceed with the project.  He informed that he actually said he very much hoped that the Cabinet would reject it.

Councillor Ellis then went on to make representations over the loss of car parking spaces that would result in West Kirby if the project was to go ahead and the resulting traffic chaos that was expected.  He indicated that he was in favour of development in Wirral and for a hotel in West Kirby but not on the site identified for the Sail Project.  The people who lived in the area were totally and utterly opposed to it.

Councillor J Hale also made representations against the Sail Project.  He raised concerns over the loss of car parking income that would result if the project went ahead and the adverse effect there would be on the local economy if car parking space was lost.  He considered that independent consultations should have been carried out and that it was wrong to strip away parking spaces.

A letter dated 14 October 2010 from Mr R Holmes, Chairman of the Merseyside Partnership addressed to Councillor J Green was circulated informing of the Partnership’s support, in principle, for another quality hotel in Wirral because it would attract investment and bring significant benefits to the tourism offer in Wirral.

Councillor G Gardiner informed the Cabinet that she would prefer to see the proposed developers given more time to resolve the parking problems.

Councillor S Holbrook moved the following Motion and it was seconded by Councillor G Gardiner:

“The Cabinet reaffirms that the purpose of this project is to secure a world class sailing school and supporting facilities for the West Kirby Marine Lane, and that a Hotel development on the Dee Lane car park is an enabling development to bring about that goal.

That, in view of the primacy of securing world class facilities for the Lake, Cabinet notes the views of Lake Users on the use of the spur for shared parking and accepts that shared use of the spur for car parking is not a viable solution.

Cabinet notes in particular that consideration of parking and traffic issues needs to be set in the broader context of the requirements of West Kirby as a whole.

Without prejudice to the planning process, Cabinet reaffirms its support in principle for an enabling hotel development.  However, Cabinet requires, as a matter of urgency, that a transport assessment is completed (setting out the best possible proposals for minimising the net loss of car parking) and the Stakeholder Consultation and Engagement Plan is revised, all  ...  view the full minutes text for item 160