A language school is set to come to Birkenhead, after the plan was passed by Wirral Council.
The proposal, put forward by Franklin Rios, will see the school operate across three floors of 14 Hamilton Square in the Wirral town.
Short-term student accommodation, for those attending intensive classes at the language school, will be located on the two upper floors of the five-storey Grade 1 listed building.
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According to the planning statement, put together by MPD Built Environment Consultants Ltd, this scheme “will [breathe] new life into the locality and bring a vacant historic building back into productive use, which can only be beneficial for the vitality of the conservation area and the long-term upkeep of the listed building.”
Indeed the Birkenhead site is currently vacant, having last been used as a solicitor’s office.
On the quality of the accommodation which would be provided, the statement added: "Given the scale of the building, the internal amenity afforded to potential future occupiers would be good, with generous room sizes and large windows allowing sufficient outlook and natural light.”
Students will not get any private outdoor space to socialise in, but the statement argues that given the short-term nature of the accommodation the public outdoor space in Hamilton Square itself is sufficient.
The planning firm also noted that Hamilton Square is within walking distance of the waterfront, where students would be able to gather.
Addressing the parking situation, the company said: “On-street pay and display car parking is available on surrounding streets and the property is in close proximity to bus stops and Hamilton Square railway station.
“There is also a private pay and display car park to the rear of the property.”
On the operation of the language school, the statement added: “The school will operate during the daytime and early evening with the potential for some Saturday morning classes depending on demand.”
