Welcome To Wirral
Local Development Framework Home Page
The Local Development Framework (LDF) is a collection of "new-style" statutory Local Development Documents that together set out the vision and spatial strategy for the future development of the Borough. They will gradually replace the "old-style" Unitary Development Plan that was adopted in February 2000.
Local Development Scheme
The preparation of the Local Development Framework is governed by Wirral Council's Local Development Scheme.
Local Development Documents
The Local Development Framework for Wirral is made up of a series of Local Development Documents including :-
- Statement of Community Involvement
- Core Strategy Development Plan Document
- Housing Allocations Development Plan Document
- Employment Allocations Development Plan Document
- Retail, Leisure & Town Centres Development Plan Document
- Joint Merseyside Waste Development Plan Document
- Supplementary Planning Documents
- Annual Monitoring Reports
The Development Plan Documents will form part of the statutory Development Plan for Wirral alongside the Regional Spatial Strategy for the North West.
Sustainability Appraisal
A separate Sustainability Appraisal Framework has been prepared to guide the sustainability appraisals produced alongside Development Plan Documents and Supplementary Planning Documents.
Evidence Base
There is a considerable evidence base that guides the Local Development Framework.
Community Involvement
The Council consults a wide range of bodies, groups and individuals when each Local Development Document is prepared. The current list of contacts can be viewed.
If you would like to be added to our mailing list or deleted from it, please contact Hazel Edwards at the Forward Planning Section of the Corporate Services Department at Wallasey Town Hall, Brighton Street, Wirral, CH44 8ED, by telephone on 0151 691 8225, by fax on 0151 691 8188 or by e-mail
Current Consultations
Core Strategy
Consultation on the Issues, Vision and Objectives for the Core Strategy is currently underway. The deadline for comments is 17:00 hours on Friday 27th March 2009.
The next consultation will be on the Spatial Options for the Core Strategy DPD during Summer 2009.
Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment
In accordance with government guidance contained in PPS3 and the Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA) Guidance, Wirral Council and Liverpool City Council are undertaking a joint Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment. This will identify land and buildings potentially suitable for housing development for a period of at least 15 years from 2008.
The SHLAA will be used to inform the preparation of new planning policy through each authority's respective Local Development Frameworks. Liverpool's is posted here.
Wirral and Liverpool's Local Frameworks will need to implement the housing requirement targets set by regional planning policy - for both Wirral and Liverpool this is the North West of England Plan - Regional Spatial Strategy to 2021.
Wirral and Liverpool have also been successful in securing Growth Point Status, which will mean an increase of 20% in the overall regional housing target set by RSS over the period 2008-2017. For more information see Wirral Council's and Liverpool City Council's housing strategy web pages.
Further information about the SHLAA including the Draft Methodology Statement, the Call for Sites pro-forma and details of who to contact in Wirral Council for advice or an informal discussion is available here.
The deadline for submissions is 5.00 pm on Friday 1st May 2009.