Notice of Local Plan Scoping Consultation

Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2026

Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (as amended)

The Council is preparing a new Local Plan – Wirral Local Plan 2045. This notice has been made available from 15 July 2026.

In accordance with Regulation 20 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2026 (“2026 regulations”), Wirral Council gives notice that the Scoping Consultation for the ‘Wirral Local Plan 2045’, which will incorporate minerals and waste policies, will commence on 15 July 2026 and close on 6 August 2026 at 5pm.

During this period, the Council invites representations from relevant ‘specific’ and ‘general’ consultation bodies (defined in Regulation 2 of the 2026 regulations) on:

  • Such matters relevant to the preparation of the Local Plan as the Council considers appropriate, including what the plan should contain; and 
  • How the Council should engage consultees in the preparation of the Local Plan. 

Any person or organisation can make representations on these matters.

Further information about the Scoping Consultation is available on the Council's website.

Representations

The Scoping Consultation Document can be viewed and comments should be submitted online via:

 Placemaker engagement platform

Once you have registered, you can view the scoping document, make representations and submit your response. Alternatively, comments can be submitted by letter or e-mail, although we encourage you to use Placemaker. 

Representations on the Local Plan Scoping Consultation must be received by the Council by 5pm on 6 August 2026.

Accessibility

Wirral Council is committed to making information accessible to everyone. If you would like further information, a paper copy of the Scoping Report, documents in another format or you would like support in completing consultation questions, please contact us: localplan@wirral.gov.uk

The Council will also accept written responses by post, please send to this address: Strategic Planning Team, Wirral Council, PO Box 290, Brighton Street, Wallasey, Wirral CH27 9FQ.

Availability of documents

Paper copies of the document will be available to view at the following libraries during their normal opening hours:

  • Birkenhead Central Library (the ‘Principal office’)
  • Bebington Central Library
  • Eastham Library
  • Greasby Library
  • Heswall Library
  • Moreton Library
  • Rock Ferry Library
  • Upton Library
  • Wallasey Central Library
  • West Kirby Library

Please visit the Council’s website for opening hours - Find a library | wirral.gov.uk

Stay informed on the Local Plan process

To be kept up to date on the Local Plan 2045 and Planning Policy consultations, please sign up to our consultation database

You can also request to be kept informed of the following stages by contacting the Strategic Planning Team at localplan@wirral.gov.uk or by the postal address above:

  • When the Council publishes the consultation on the proposed Local Plan content and evidence (the second formal consultation on the Local Plan under regulation 23(1)(b) of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2026). 
  • When the Council publishes any observations or advice they receive from a person appointed by the Secretary of State (under section 15CA(5) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (as amended)). 
  • Consultation on the proposed Local Plan (the third formal consultation on the Local Plan under regulation 27(1)(b) of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2026). 
  • The submission of the Local Plan to the Secretary of State for independent Examination (under section 15D(1) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (as amended)). 
  • When the date, time and place of the Examination hearings and the name of the Examiner is published (under regulation 35(2) and regulation 35(1)(a) of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2026). 
  • If the Examination is paused by the Examiner so that further work can be carried out (under section 15D(7) and section 15DA of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (as amended)). 
  • When a document or evidence is sent to the Examiner and/or published whilst the Examination is paused (under section 15DA(6) and 15DA(7) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (as amended)). 
  • When the Examiner’s recommendations and reasons are published (under section 15D or section 15DA, and in accordance with section 15D(13) or section 15DA(10) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (as amended)). 

  • The adoption of the Local Plan by the Council (under Part 2 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (as amended)). 

     

Further information

Please note that any comments you submit, and your name will be made available for the public to view and cannot be treated as confidential. Data will be processed and held in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998.  The Forward Planning Privacy Notice can be viewed on the Council's website.

Further information on the Local Plan can be found on the Latest News webpage.