Neighbourhood Planning

New plans for Wirral's Neighbourhoods

The Localism Act 2011 has introduced new powers for communities to have a bigger say in what local planning policies operate in their areas.  The Government intends that communities can choose where new homes, shops and offices should be built; have a say on what those new buildings should look like; and grant planning permission for the new buildings communities want to see go ahead.  These plans offer local communities more choice and will supersede the Council’s existing development plan policies where appropriate.

The preparation of the new Neighbourhood Plans and Orders (a Neighbourhood Development Order can grant planning permission for selected types of development) requires a community to work together to decide on what development should be allowed in their neighbourhood.

In Wirral proposals have already come forward in four areas, under a pilot project ‘Neighbourhood Planning – Front Runners’ promoted by the Government and supported by the Council:

Devonshire Park – The Devonshire Park Residents’ Association carried out a questionnaire survey in summer 2011 and have issued a draft Neighbourhood Plan based on the results of the questionnaire for public consultation in February 2012.  Consultation on the draft Plan closed on 23rd March 2012, with 8 individual comments received, a response from National Grid and comments from the three statutory consultees: Natural England, English Heritage and the Environment Agency.  The Residents’ Association will now consider the response to these comments and revise the Plan accordingly.  Comments submitted electronically are viewable at http://wirral-consult.limehouse.co.uk/portal   Read the Association’s blog.

Hoylake – Hoylake Village Life have launched a billboard campaign in Hoylake to find out how local residents and businesses would like to see the town develop.  Questionnaires are being circulated and a draft Neighbourhood Plan will be prepared later in the year.  Visit Hoylake Village Life’s website

Liscard – Central Liscard Area Residents’ Association are preparing a Neighbourhood Plan for Central Liscard and its surrounding residential areas.  A shop at 66 Wallasey Road will be used as a ‘drop-in’ centre for local residents, enabling the Association to gather views about the future development of Liscard.  A series of public meetings has also been held around the town.

Greasby – Greasby Community Association have plans for the centre of the village, between the library and The Red Cat public house. The Government announced 'Front Runner' status for the Association's proposals on 5th March 2012. The Council will now work with the Association to help prepare their Neighbourhood Plan.  The Association can be contacted via John Smith (Chairman, Greasby Community Association) - smithjmdj@btinternet.com - tel 0151 678 6201 - 52 Eastway, Greasby CH49 2NT.

The ‘Front Runner’ project is being used to test different ways of local communities taking forward their Neighbourhood Plans.  The Localism Act will introduce a formal role for any community to come forward with proposals for the planning of their area.  There is a series of conditions for Neighbourhood Plans, including the support of a single constituted Community Organisation for the area, such as a Residents’ Association, conformity with national planning policy, conformity with the strategic policies of the Council’s development plan (LDF Core Strategy), and the plan not conflicting with European environmental and human rights legislation.  An independent examination of the Neighbourhood Plan will ensure that it has been correctly prepared.

Ultimately, local communities will decide on these local planning policies through a referendum of all local electors, followed by formal adoption of the Neighbourhood Plan by the Council.

Updates to the progress of these Neighbourhood Plans will be carried on this website.  For further details and if you want your community to be considered as a Neighbourhood Plan area please contact: Richard Lewis, Investment Strategy Manager on 0151 691 8222 ( richardlewis@wirral.gov.uk )

PLEASE NOTE: THE COUNCIL HAS A NETWORK OF ELEVEN AREA FORUMS, WHICH EACH COVER TWO ADJACENT WARDS.  THE COUNCIL HAS ASKED RESIDENTS IN EACH AREA FORUM FOR THEIR VIEWS ON HOW COUNCIL RESOURCES SHOULD BE SPENT IN THEIR NEIGHBOURHOOD.  THE RESULTING ACTION PLANS FOR EACH AREA FROM THIS PROCESS DO NOT INFLUENCE HOW TOWN PLANNING DECISIONS ARE MADE.  HOWEVER, INFORMATION IS SHARED BETWEEN THE TWO FORMS OF NEIGHBOURHOOD PLANS.  FOR FURTHER DETAILS ON THE AREA FORUM PLANS PLEASE CONTACT: Lucy Beed, Corporate Performance Manager on 0151 691 8006 ( lucybeed@wirral.gov.uk )