Wirral Council is finally introducing a Local Plan to protect the Borough's Green Belt, while encouraging redevelopment in existing urban areas.
Part of the legal process for adopting a Local Plan is to consult on the draft, enabling residents, but also developers, to make representations, seeking changes or supporting proposals.
Now, following publication of responses received by Wirral Council and the work of the campaign groups such as Greasby Greenbelt Action Group, Natural Wirral and Defend Wirral's Green Spaces, new threats to the Green Belt have been revealed. These include:
- 180 houses on Green Belt between Saughall Road and the Arrowe Brook, including Diamond Farm. Agents acting for Taylor Wimpey state: 'the site presents a significant opportunity to support a sensitive residential development that will not prevent the Green Belt from functioning effectively in this location.' You can read their full representation via the link below.
- 555 houses on Green Belt between Saughall Massie Road and Pump Lane. Agents acting for Russell Homes state: 'Russell Homes have put a considerable amount of time into thinking about the context of the Site, its surroundings and how best to deliver a high-quality place, which serves to not only deliver housing, but also provide land for a new primary school, a care home for the elderly.' You can read their full representation via the link below.
- 276 houses on Green Belt along Saughall Massie Road - from Jenny's Wood and along the road. Agents acting for Bloor Homes state: 'The site is currently used for pastureland, with a stabling block and grazing paddocks to the west. The site is relatively flat, with a regular field pattern delineated by native hedgerows and Arrowe Brook running along the eastern/south-eastern boundary.' You can read their full representation via the link below.
The Inspectors appointed to assess the Council's draft Local Plan have started their examination in public when developers, such as Taylor Wimpey, Russell Homes and Bloor Homes, can push their case for the land to be designated for housing.
The hearings start again on 14 September and can be watched via the Council website. The Planning Inspectorate has also confirmed that this timetable is NOT because of the Public Inquiry called following appeals by Leverhulme to build houses near Heswall and Barnston. That letter is also listed below.
If you would like to be kept up to date with the Local Plan's progress register below.
The Council has previously rejected the sites for Green Belt release because they are used by wetland birds and there is a flood risk - with regular flooding just downstream on Arrowe Brook in Saughall Massie and Moreton.
Residents may recall that four years ago, Wirral's Labour Cabinet held a secret meeting with senior directors. Against each of the 50 possible Green Belt sites at risk, Labour councillors were asked whether they would 'reject' building on them, or 'accept' building on them. The land between Greasby and Saughall Massie was one of the sites originally listed by Labour for development.
Colin, Gary and Vida are opposing the loss of this Green Belt because:
- Extra pressure on the flood plain and the Arrowe Brook and Birket
- Extra pressure on roads and public transport
- Extra pressure on local services including schools and GP
- Loss of local wildlife sites and biodiversity
More information on the Council's draft Local Plan and the process being followed can be found here
