A FAMILY is asking for at least £5m from a developer to build 40 houses – plans that were previously opposed by hundreds of people.

The land, which is known locally as the Sheep Fields, sits just outside West Kirby town centre and up the hill from the Wirral Way and the West Kirby Concourse leisure centre. It includes several fields, a large detached Victorian house at 90 Grange Road called Greenfield as well as Barclays Meadow, a two-storey detached house.

39 homes could be built on the site after planning permission was granted on appeal by the Planning Inspectorate, a government body that oversees whether local authority planning decisions should be upheld or overturned.

According to a Rightmove advert, the land has been in the family “for many years and it is their preference for the development to be carried out in a way that respects the quality, nature, and character of the development granted.”

The owners of the land are now accepting bids for the land with a minimum price of £5m with offers in by September 5.

Wirral Council had previously had the land down as a local green space as part of its draft Local Plan, a major policy that outlines developments on the Wirral until 2040. The council rejected the plans for the 39 homes but the Planning Inspectorate later found “the proposal would not have a significant adverse effect on the character and appearance of the surrounding area.”

Inspector Patrick Hanna argued the plans would have more benefits than negatives and disagreed with claims the site had historical significance though it “does indeed have some pleasing visual qualities.” On whether the site was tranquil, he argued the site’s location next to a busy main road with no public access contradicted this.

The developer argued it would be “a strong addition to the town and complementing the surrounding neighbourhoods” but more than 800 people and local councillors petitioned against it saying it would damage “the much loved, iconic route into the town” overlooking the Dee Estuary.

The land could be one of several new developments in West Kirby including luxury flats situated on the other side of Grange Road, 10 apartments on Meols Drive, as well as on its former fire station.