Final consultation starts for Wirral’s brownfield-only local plan
Residents and stakeholders have until 8 November to share their feedback on modifications made to the 2021-2037 development framework under the guidance of the Planning Inspectorate.
The Wirral Local Plan was submitted to inspectors in 2022, following years of consultation and revision. Government inspectors found the plan sound in March 2024 – pending select modifications. These modifications are the subject of the current consultation.
The local plan seeks to enable the delivery of 14,400 homes in Wirral, as well as 146 acres of employment land.
Most of the homes delivered would be built in 10 spotlighted regeneration areas: Seacombe River Corridor, Liscard, New Brighton, Birkenhead Waterfront, Central Birkenhead, Hind Street and St Werburgh’s, Wirral Waters, Hamilton Park, Northside, and New Ferry.
“This local plan represents years of hard work, detailed analyses as well as extensive and thorough consultation with Wirral’s public on our available options,” said Cllr Paul Stuart, Leader of Wirral Council.
He added later: “Once adopted, the local plan will help protect our precious Green Belt and will put us in a much stronger position to deliver the massive regeneration of those areas in Wirral which are in desperate need of investment.
“It is crucial for our communities that we make the best use of all our brownfield land and bring it back into beneficial use to provide much needed modern homes and skilled jobs.”
You can view the local plan documents and submit your feedback at wirral.gov.uk/planning-and-building/local-plans-and-planning-policy/wirrals-new-local-plan/new-local-plan.
Wirral’s local plan was developed under the former housing targets, where the borough was charged with enabling the construction of 738 homes. Under the Labour government, that target is set to more than double to 1,755.
It is understood that the July consultation on changes to the National Planning Policy Framework which included the increased housing targets, will not impact the local plan’s examination.
Marcus Shaw, interim director for regeneration and place at Wirral Council, said: “We are still fully committed to this plan and we intend move forward towards adoption of our local plan as formulated so far, following the current consultation on any modifications recommended by the inspectors. The local plan will ensure that Wirral has an up-to-date framework in place to deliver housing with supporting infrastructure and to protect our built and natural heritage.”
The changing of housing targets has already frustrated other North West towns in their ambitions to get a working local plan. Stockport Council hit pause on its own framework this summer after realising the new target would require the borough to have nearly 2,000 homes delivered a year rather than the 1,000 homes it had been anticipating.
This is very positive news for the Wirral and a shining example of a local plan which seeks to regenerate rundown and neglected communities where affordable new homes are desperately needed whilst protecting green spaces. Let’s hope the reward for this will be a withdrawal of the unnecessary proposed new targets set for Wirral.
By Anonymous
i can’t believe people are happy with this scheme this is some of the worst architecture i have ever seen it looks horrendous
By Anonymous
What a fantastic effort by politicians and communities on the Wirral to plan to regenerate some areas that desperately need it while keeping what makes Wirral special – the coast and countryside. They deserve the kudos, and are a beacon for others (Stockport – we’re looking at you) that have given up under similar circumstances.
By Peter Black
“This local plan represents years of hard work” or 23.5 years of doing nowt since the UDP period ended!
By Mr N Imby
Local plan years late and unrealistic in terms of absolutely no use of grey belt is nothing to celebrate.,hopefully the plan will be rejected as being unable to deliver even the existing housing targets never mind the new targets
By George
I am expecting a resurgence in the fortunes and appearance of Birkenhead and adjacent neighbourhoods. Good, quality residences are needed, both flats and houses, incorporated with trees and landscaping. Commuting across the river should be the norm and not an occasional experience so housing around Seacombe and Woodside should be high density.
By Anonymous
At By George why would you be hopeful that the plan would be rejected??? Not part of the so called Wirral Developer Consortium are you? The Wirral deserves better.
By Anonymous
Years late and delivery will require substantial public funding for remediation,infrastructure and viability gap with these brownfield sites. Lets hope that funding is there or else it’llwill fail.Won’t the new targets mean they’ll have to reopen this and look further once (or if) adopted.Is there any greybelt in the outer reaches of Caldy?
By Rodney Street
As the article reads ‘Government inspectors found the plan sound in March 2024 – pending select modifications.’ The inspectors must think it’s viable otherwise it wouldn’t have got this far. They would’ve instructed the council to rip it up and start again had they not thought it was feasible.
By Matt Hardmam
It will be subject to immediate review – simply put, a Green Belt review to accommodate the uplift in housing targets. The review (which will likely mean a revised Local Plan within 2 years) will release extensive Green Belt land.
By Anonymous
But nothing for the Pentioners
By Anonymous
@September 25, 2024 at 12:48 pm
By Anonymous
I’m going to strongly disagree – this is a refreshing scheme. Good massing and fenestration and nautical ship metalwork inspired colours. Makes a change from some of the stumps over on the Irwell.
By Rye