Leisure and wellness facility at Kingsmead Swimming Pool, Hoylake

What was proposed

The application sought to convert the former school pool, annexe buildings and teaching rooms into a leisure, wellness and café facility.

“Location: Kingsmead Swimming Pool Carlton Lane, Hoylake, Wirral, CH47 0LL Proposal: Change of use of the building and land from a former Kingsmead Private School swimming pool, annexe buildings and teaching rooms (Use Class F1) to a new leisure and wellness facility with a mixed use and cafe space, Class F2 and Class E (Amended plans received to provide additional parking and access to parking from Bertram Drive) Applicant: [the applicant]: [name withheld]…”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site contains two former school buildings, an eight-space car park and access from a narrow, unadopted residential lane.

“The site comprises of two single-storey buildings; a swimming pool (with changing rooms, kitchen area and 2no. former science classrooms) and a detached building which was a former office and maths classroom facility. These buildings were all previously used in connection with Kingsmead School, which has been closed since 2020. The site also has a car park with 8no. un-marked spaces.”

“The site is located on Carlton Lane, which is a narrow, unadopted road with no pavements, accessed off Birkenhead Road. There are residential properties along Carlton Lane, together with a building to the north of the site which is used to provide a service to support children with complex additional needs and their families.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Highways and Environmental Health raised no objection subject to conditions, while the Neighbourhood Forum objected over environmental information, trees and biodiversity gain.

“CONSULTATIONS Highways - No objection subject to conditions. Environmental Health - No objection Hoylake Neighbourhood Forum – Object due to insufficient information on environmental impacts. Loss of trees and hedgerows. BNG required.”

Officer report

What people said

Objectors cited parking, traffic, noise, access, ecology and residential amenity concerns; supporters cited swimming, inclusion, wellbeing and community benefits.

“In response, a petition was received on 18 July 2025 objecting to the development signed by 32 individuals from 25 separate addresses and 19 individual representations objecting to the application were received The objections are summarised below: • Inappropriate commercial development in a residential area where the only vehicular access is via the unadopted road Carlton Lane • Noise and disturbance – excessive opening hours, increased traffic, increased pedestrian…”

Officer report

Who spoke

A representative of the objectors and representatives of the applicant addressed the committee and answered Members’ questions.

Members’ debate

Members debated the application and raised issues about on-site car parking before considering a deferral motion.

“Members debated the application and raised issues in relation to on-site car parking.”

“The Chair moved and Councillor Jason Walsh-McDonald seconded a motion to defer the application.”

Minutes

Why it was deferred

Consideration was deferred so the applicant could discuss with officers whether an amendment could address on-site car parking issues.

“Resolved (unanimously) – That consideration of the application be deferred to enable the applicant to discuss with Planning Officers the scope to put in an amendment to the application to deal with issues in relation to on-site car parking.”

Minutes