Council leader outlines how Wirral’s Local Plan will “deliver real change”
At a meeting of the full council (Monday March 21) Cllr Janette Williamson outlined how the Local Plan will help Wirral meets its housing and employment needs in the coming years – and how this will be focused on reducing deprivation.
The leader said the draft Local Plan sets out a way forward for the borough to use major regeneration opportunities on Wirral’s Left Bank (the eastern side from Bromborough through New Ferry, Birkenhead, Seacombe and Liscard to New Brighton) to “deliver real change” and tackle inequalities.
At the full council meeting councillors approved the draft Local Plan which will now go out for Regulation 19 consultation. This is a stage when any interested parties have the opportunity to make representations relating to the ‘soundness’ or legal compliance of Wirral’s proposed Local Plan.
The Local Plan is focused on delivering Wirral’s housing and employment requirements through major regeneration primarily across the Left Bank area. At the heart of the Plan is the comprehensive regeneration of Birkenhead to address several decades of decline.
Cllr Williamson said: “Almost two years ago, as the COVID pandemic was breaking, we completed the consultation on the Local Plan issues and options document, which set out the councils preferred option of a brownfield first approach.
“We listened to our communities and built this plan around Wirral’s future and our major regeneration plans.
“This plan will shape the future of the borough over the next 20-plus years, address deep seated deprivation, protect our valuable environment and promote physical, social and economic regeneration – and will be underpinned with our strategic social vision to reduce Wirral’s inequalities. I also am proud that we are committed to protecting our greenbelt – this is fundamental to us as a council.
“This Local Plan will help us deliver real change for the better for the people of Wirral.”
The aim is to use this opportunity currently available through significant funding including Town Deal, Future High Streets and other significant grants to regenerate brownfield locations. This will be focused mainly on the eastern side of the borough to meet the housing and employment requirements.
The Local Plan also sets out a range of policies which will help the Borough respond to climate change, protection of our natural and built heritage assets and provide the affordable homes that the borough needs.
