The Sail Project in West Kirby

A DEVELOPMENT company behind a controversial scheme to build a new hotel in west Wirral is to be given an extension to its ?lock-out? agreement with the council while the financial details of the scheme are examined.

The Sail Project, in West Kirby, had met with opposition from local people and has gone through major modifications since it was first revealed more than a year ago.

The scheme involves building a new hotel overlooking the town?s marine lake, along with a new sailing school building. Last year, the Daily Post revealed the hotel had been significantly reduced in size and just a week ago cabinet members from Wirral Council had complained that the new design was ?not iconic enough? for the location.

They also raised major concerns about car parking in the area, as the developers had said it would be too expensive to continue with the original plan to have an underground car park.

But a report to the council?s cabinet said: ?Carpenter Investments has indicated that the submitted design remains the one that they wish to proceed with.

?They have reviewed the design following members? comments, but feel unable to make any significant changes.?

In his report, Wirral Council?s deputy chief executive, Jim Wilkie, said: ?A development appraisal for the project has been provided by Carpenter Investments and this is currently being scrutinised by the council?s appointed independent, external assessor.

?It is proposed that the findings of the independent assessment and officer?s conclusions will be the subject of a further report to cabinet.? The report recommended extending the lock-out agreement.

Source: LDP