Planning service and advice

Information regarding Wirral's planning service and the Development Team approach can be found on the following page:

Duty Planner System

In order to allow planning officers to concentrate on dealing with planning applications and pre-application proposals that have been submitted in writing, it has been decided that a Duty Planning Officer will be available to meet customers without an appointment in the Planning reception at the Cheshire Lines Building, Canning Street, Birkenhead, CH41 1ND or by telephone by contacting the Duty Planning Officer on 0151 606 2324 from 9.00am to 1.00pm Monday to Friday. It is anticipated that this will improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the planning service and will help us to improve customer service levels in general.

Should you have a specific query about a particular planning application or appeal you should contact the Case Officer using the contact details, where it will be possible to arrange an appointment with them if necessary.

The Duty Officer is a useful first point of contact and will for example:

  • Advise on matters of procedure and process
  • Provide, where possible, help with the interpretation of plans and drawings
  • Comment on development potential/changes of use
  • Advice on permitted development rights
  • Explain planning policy for extensions and alterations to domestic dwellings
  • Explain planning policy for small-scale commercial developments
  • Explain planning policy small-scale advertisements
  • Advise on minor external alterations to commercial properties

Most site specific enquiries cannot be addressed without the benefit of thorough research, consultation and a site visit.  The Duty Officer is therefore unable to deal with such enquiries and you will be asked send in your full details and a full description of any proposed scheme (pre-application proposals).

The duty planner will not be available to:

  • Provide written advice (you would need to put your enquiry in writing to obtain written confirmation)
  • Discuss any larger-scale development proposals (need to submit pre-application proposal in writing)
  • Discuss with applicants or agents the technical merits of current applications, recently refused applications or appeals. In this instance, an appointment should be made with the relevant Case Officer or Principal Planner
  • Decide minor amendments to planning permissions

Any advice given by the duty planner does not indicate any formal decision by the Council as Local Planning Authority. Any views or opinions expressed are given in good faith and to the best of ability, without prejudice to the formal consideration of any planning application following statutory public consultation, the issues raised and evaluation of all available information.