Consultation on new planning guidance in Wirral is launched

12 January 2026

Wirral Council is seeking views on an important public consultation that will help shape how development is managed across the borough.

The consultation relates to five new documents which will provide additional detail and guidance to support the Wirral Local Plan, adopted in March 2025.

The Local Plan sets the strategic vision for how Wirral will grow and change between 2022 and 2040, promoting urban regeneration, sustainable development and long-term economic growth.

To support the delivery of the Local Plan, the Council is preparing the following Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs):

Residential Development Supplementary Planning Document (SPD)
Householder Development Supplementary Planning Document (SPD)
Recreation Management and Green Infrastructure Supplementary Planning Document (SPD)
Biodiversity and Nature Recovery Supplementary Planning Document (SPD)
Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) Supplementary Planning Document (SPD)

These documents will provide practical guidance for residents, developers and planners on how Local Plan policies should be applied in future planning decisions.

This first phase of consultation gives the public the opportunity to help shape the documents. Further consultation on the revised SPDs will then take place to give interested parties an additional opportunity to provide input on the documents before they are finalised and subsequently presented to Wirral Council’s Economy, Regeneration and Housing Committee for their consideration and final approval.

The consultation on the scope of the SPDs will run from 12 January to 9 February 2026.

Residents can view the five SPD scoping reports and respond to the consultation questions online via the Council’s website. Feedback received during this phase will help inform the next stage of document preparation.

Chair of Wirral Council’s Economy, Regeneration and Housing committee, Cllr Mark Skillicorn, said:

These Supplementary Planning Documents will play an important role in ensuring new development across Wirral is high quality, sustainable and aligned with the needs of our communities.
I would encourage everyone with an interest in the future of the borough and how it is developed and how nature and the environment can benefit, to take part in the consultation and share their views.

For more information and to take part in the consultation see Supplementary Planning Documents | Have your say Wirral