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A historic Bromborough villa could be turned into 23 homes – without a single affordable property – if councillors back the plans next week.
The proposals for Kinders, the Grade II listed building at 216 Allport Road, will go before Wirral Council's Planning Committee on Thursday, October 29.
Planning officers have recommended the scheme for approval.
Under the plans, the mid-19th-century villa, most recently used as offices, would be converted into 10 apartments.
Its former stable block would become two houses, and a run-down cottage on the site would be knocked down and replaced with a new two-storey home.
Ten new family houses – eight detached and two semi-detached – would also be built in the grounds, along with a new entrance from Allport Road.
A development of this size would normally have to include 20% affordable housing.
But an independent review carried out for the council found the scheme would not make money even without any affordable homes or the usual payments towards open space and sport, and officers say they see "no reason to disagree".
Instead, a legal agreement would make sure the work to restore the listed villa is carried out alongside the new houses.
The application has drawn 21 objections, with 12 more after the plans were revised.
Neighbours' concerns include the height and size of the new houses, overlooking and loss of privacy, the loss of trees and wildlife, flooding, and traffic – with some saying the new entrance would face a busy school junction.
Others have questioned why the villa needs 13 extra homes to pay for its restoration.
The council's conservation officer says the scheme would cause "a low to moderate level of harm" to the setting of the listed building, but that this is outweighed by securing the villa's long-term future.
Highways officers have no objection now that the access has been widened, and drainage, wildlife and tree consultees are satisfied subject to conditions.
It is one of two Bromborough housing schemes on the agenda, alongside McCarthy & Stone's plans for 46 retirement flats on the Civic Hall site.
Councillors will consider both the planning application, APP/26/00047, and a linked application for listed building consent, LBC/26/00048, at the meeting. Both are recommended for approval. The agenda and officer reports are on the council's website.
