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Planning for the Future
We recognise the need to continue to protect the best of Wirral's heritage, and renew older urban areas to provide a high-quality environment for people to live and work in. Our aim is to use as much previously-used land, commonly known as brown-field land, to reduce the need to build on any more green-field sites.
The Council's Unitary Development Plan is the main guide for all new building in Wirral. It aims to protect the Green Belt, which prevents our towns and villages from merging together. The plan also aims to protect valuable opens spaces and wildlife areas, while making sure that enough land for future housing and employment needs is available within the existing built-up area. The re-use of derelict land for new buildings is strongly encouraged wherever possible, reducing the pressure to develop in the countryside.
Some activities in the past have left areas of land in a contaminated state. We are working in partnership with developers and other agencies to clean these sites so that they can be re-used to meet future building needs.
When planning applications are submitted, we consider them carefully to see what impact they will have on the environment, and on the quality of life of local people. Proposals are tested to see if they agree with the policies of the Unitary Development Plan. Only applications that meet these policies will normally be allowed.
Key actions for the future:
A bid for Heritage Lottery funding is being submitted for Birkenhead Park, designated as a Grade 1 Listed Landscape by English Heritage. If the funding bid is successful, it will enable us to provide a visitor centre and restore historic features in the park.
We will keep the Unitary Development Plan as up-to-date as possible, and ensure that the public and interested groups are fully consulted should any changes be needed.
We will continue to promote and encourage the re-use of existing land and buildings wherever possible.