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Plans to knock down the former Bromborough Civic Hall on Allport Lane and build 46 retirement flats will be decided by Wirral Council's planning committee next Thursday (October 29).
McCarthy and Stone wants to replace the empty single-storey building with a three-storey block of 37 one-bedroom and nine two-bedroom apartments.
The flats would be sold on 999-year leases to people aged 60 or over. Couples could buy one if one partner is over 60 and the other is over 55.
The plans include a residents' lounge, a meeting room, mobility scooter storage and 32 parking spaces.
The scheme does not include any affordable housing. Local planning policy would normally expect 20 per cent of homes on a development like this to be affordable.
A report to the committee says an independent review, carried out for the council, found the scheme could not afford to provide affordable housing or other contributions and still be viable.
Bromborough ward councillor Kieran Murphy asked for the application to go before the committee rather than being decided by officers.
He raised concerns about the lack of affordable homes and the layout of the building. He said flats on one side could overheat in the sun, while those on the other side may get little direct sunlight.
The council wrote to 118 nearby homes and businesses about the plans. One objection was received from a neighbour, who raised worries about noise, dust and traffic during building work, the height of the block and pressure on local GPs and dentists.
The report says the civic hall has been empty and surplus to the council's needs for several years. A marketing exercise failed to find a community group able to keep it running, and library services remain available in Bebington and Eastham.
Six trees would be lost. The council's tree officer has asked for more replacement planting, or a payment towards trees elsewhere.
The council is separately considering buying 38 new Bromborough homes for social rent.
Planning officers have recommended the scheme for approval, subject to a legal agreement including a payment of £12,891.96 towards reducing visitor pressure on protected coastal wildlife sites.
The committee meets at 6pm on Thursday, October 29. The agenda and officer report (APP/25/01685) are on the council's website.
