A FORMER Ministry of Defence site linked to plans for nearly 500 homes has been put up for sale.

The large site is based off Old Hall Road in Bromborough in Wirral and was previously used by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) to store oil. 249 homes could be built on the site and it is linked to plans on a site next door at Riverside Park which has permission for 217.

When the plans were approved by Wirral Council, councillors were told the applications would be an “exciting step forward for both of the sites” and a “major regeneration and planning opportunity.” It was also praised for its use of a brownfield site, land previously developed though some concerns were raised.

The development is part of wider plans by Wirral Council to help build thousands of homes in the borough on brownfield sites as part of its draft Local Plan, and is one of several major developments in Bromborough.

Located just six miles south of Liverpool, 11 miles from Chester, and five miles south of Birkenhead, it is also close to Eastham Country Park and the River Mersey.

Lambert Smith Hampton who are behind the sale said “any developments would need a strong focus on delivering affordable housing and meeting housing needs within the local authority area.” The company was awarded £495,000 in August 2023 to “provide capacity” to Wirral Council after it sold off 23 of its assets.

Charles McLean, the National Land Director of LSH said: “The Wirral has experienced an historic undersupply of new houses and there continues to be a desperate need for new homes. We are delighted to bring forward this potential housing site on behalf of Wirral Council and we expect strong interest from both regional and national housebuilders.”

Wirral Council had originally planned to deliver the housing on the site through its joint venture with developer Muse, the Wirral Growth Company. However the company will have no active projects from June 2024 leaving its future in doubt with councillors expected to review options at a later date.