TWO "ugly" annexes to a historic town hall have now been demolished ahead of plans for new homes.

Demolition work started on the north and south annexes for Wallasey Town Hall on February 5 with diggers getting to work on the South annexe first. Work is expected to take 20 weeks and photos from the site now show the south annexe completely cleared while just rubble remains where the north annexe once stood.

The demolition is the first step in plans to regenerate the area around Wallasey Town Hall and is being funded by £2.3m from the second round of Brownfield Land Release Fund. This requires housing to be delivered on the sites by 2027 and Wirral Council plans for 149 homes to be built in the form of two three or four storey developments on the annexe sites.

Wirral Council leader, Cllr Paul Stuart, previously said: “The demolition of these two buildings which are ugly, unneeded, and no longer fit for purpose is just a first step in the plans to bring real and much-needed regeneration in Seacombe.

“The regeneration program will bring social and economic regeneration along the Seacombe River Corridor and attract new investment into the area.

“The demolition of these buildings and redevelopment of the sites will not only have a huge impact in Seacombe but will demonstrate the opportunities that are possible and within our grasp.”

“Ambitious proposals” currently in development for the wider area around the town hall show plans for 496 homes, new commercial and retail space in the area, a new leisure centre, and a new park. It also identified potential for a mass transit system as part of its longer term ambitions.

The leisure centre at Guinea Gap will remain until funding is granted for a new facility that is proposed to be next to the new Riverside Primary School. Parking could be provided via underground parking or multi-storey “car barns.”

The council also proposes improving access from the area around the town hall to the promenade and said alternative connections for people in wheelchairs, or with prams or cycling were needed. New road crossings and tree planting are proposed.

The proposals said the Department for Education is supporting the construction of a new Riverside Primary school. The plans are currently being looked at by Wirral Council following public feedback.

Concerns were recently raised by Paul Cardin at an environment committee meeting on April 15 about the fate of six cherry trees in close proximity to the north annexe. Mr Cardin stood as a candidate in the May 2023 Wirral Council elections representing the Freedom Alliance, winning 107 votes.

Providing a response for the council, Cllr Liz Grey said the loss of the trees was difficult but keeping the trees wouldn’t be possible due to the demolition. She said the trees would be replaced with new ones as moving the trees to another location was unlikely to be successful.