Have you had chance to respond to the Local Plan Consultation yet? Have you tried to respond to the Online Consultation Questionnaire but been baffled or put off by the lengthy Issues and Options Document? THERE ARE OTHER EASIER WAYS TO RESPOND TO THE CONSULTATION
Ways to respond include:
#1. Register and Comment Online https://wirral-consult.objective.co.uk
> The Council's preferred method, making it simpler for them to process Responses. Involves scrolling through the full 530-page Main Consultation Document and answering ANY or ALL of the 90 Questions and/or commenting. The 'Contents' can be used to jump to issues you wish to address. However:
> Problems have been reported with Registering. One reason has been traced to the automatic email with a 'verification LINK' sent to those registering going into their 'JUNK' folder and not being spotted in time. If this email is not spotted and the LINK clicked on, then the would-be Responder will be timed out, their Registration will fail and NO answers or comments can be entered. And the process has to be redone.
> Not all answers and/or comments need to be entered in one go. Responders can save and return to their Document any number of times, adding to or editing at will before finally pressing 'SUBMIT'. Answers and comments may be composed offline and cut-and-pasted into your own Response Document. An automatic confirmatory email should be sent to each Responder confirming receipt of Responses.
> There is a 300-word limit to each answer/comment BUT further text files, photos, etc., may be attached.
Cumbersome and lengthy BUT there are simpler or additional ways to Respond, as follows:
#2. Complete a Short Version Questionnaire
> Google: Wirral Local Plan Questionnaire; or use LINK: https://www.wirral.gov.uk/sites/default/files/all/planning%20and%20building/Local%20plans%20and%20planning%20policy/Local%20plans/Core%20strategy%20local%20plan/New%20Local%20Plan/Local_Plan_Questionnaire.pdf ); or pick up a hard copy from a Library.
> This is less onerous than the main Consultation Document and is a hardcopy method of commenting with handwritten or typed responses.
> Completed Response Documents are to be returned to a local Library, Wallasey Town Hall or by Post to the Forward Planning Team, address given on Questionnaire.
#3. Respond to Specific Sites or Issues of Interest to You
> Access though 'Potential Allocations' Section on Consultation Home Page. This Section shows a map of each Site and current status of Technical Appraisal. It allows comment on Sites and their Appraisal. Details of a “Step-by Step Guide” on how to comment on Specific Sites will be posted separately.
#4. Email Wirral Forward Planning Department and/or Officers (and copy to Politicians)
> Forward Planning: email localplan@wirral.gov.uk . .
> Mark Email with Heading: 'Response to Wirral Local Plan Consultation Feb 2020. Add your Name, Address, Email, Phone Number, Status e.g. Resident of xxx.
> Use any Format: Letter, Single or Multiple Points, bullet point list, etc. It is helpful but not necessary to comment in the order of the Council's Chapters/Questions. No limit to Text or Pictures attached to emails.
#5. Write a Letter(s) and Post to Officers ( and Politicians)
> Forward Planning Team, Wallasey Town Hall, Wirral, CH44 8ED (or CH27 9FQ)
> Mark Letter with Heading: 'Response to Wirral Local Plan Consultation Feb 2020. Add your Name, Address, Email, Phone Number, Status e.g. Resident of xxx.
Example Letter:
"Wirral Local Plan 'Issues and Options' Consultation - Green Belt Objections
Dear Sirs,
I am writing to formally submit my objections to any proposal for the release of Green Belt land for the purpose of development, particularly house-building, and submit for your further consideration and records my reasoning as to why I believe this to be both unnecessary and detrimental.
The case that more land is required for house-building seems to be based on the stated need to build an additional 12,000 homes when it is clear that the population figures for Wirral have been practically static for many years and there is no indication that this situation is about to change. The Council's own statistical data points to an actual need a fraction of the 12,000 figure. Consequently, demand will be much lower than the stated need would suggest.
In addition, the proposal to include Green Belt land as Options for development will likely result in those sites deteriorating through planning blight by discouraging land owners' use, investment and improvement of the land whilst waiting for any real development interest and opportunity to arise.
I also believe that the existing Local Plan proposals fail to recognise the full value the Green Belt has in making Wirral such an attractive place to live and visit, which is so accurately described in the Council's own Visitor Economy Strategy, “Wirral Peninsula is a unique and attractive place to live, work and visit”.
It is the Green Belt that helps make Wirral so attractive and interesting by separating distinct residential towns and villages, and allowing easy access to the countryside for residents and visitors.
Added to this, the Council has also recognised that we have a 'Climate Emergency' and is committed to taking measures to address this situation. A Council Motion was passed unanimously stating that NO productive agricultural land will be released for development. The Local Plan Options fail to adhere to this commitment.
The existing Green Belt is already making an important contribution towards tackling Climate Change, reducing harmful pollution and promoting health and wellbeing through leisure activities and its attractiveness. And further measures will include:
Increasing tree cover through large scale tree planting;
Encouraging local food production, reducing unnecessary food miles;
Creating and restoring flood plains, protecting homes and businesses from flooding;
Improving wildlife habitats by creating and maintaining wildlife corridors, linking with urban parks and open spaces;
Improving air quality, reducing high incidence of asthma;
Providing further opportunities for recreation.
Clearly we should be investing in the Green Belt as a positive measure of tackling Climate Change and improving the quality of life of all local residents, most particularly those who live in urban areas.
We are fortunate to have Green Belt within the Borough and we need to protect and cherish it. It was created specifically to direct development into run-down areas and to prevent further decline: the need for Regeneration remains as evident as ever. Building houses in Green Belt would directly reduce still further the viability of housing in the north and east of the Peninsula, delaying their rejuvenation and improved quality of life.
Wirral is the fastest growing visitor destination in the Liverpool City Region and the economic benefits of a Green Belt which creates the landscape background for so many of the visitor attractions must be recognised. Tourism and Leisure are vital to Wirral's Local Economy and Green Belt plays a major role. We cannot afford to lose any.
Rather than releasing land from the Green Belt, the social, environmental and economic arguments would all suggest that we should be investing in the management of this Green Space. Priority should be given to the regeneration of the existing urban areas and to protection of farmland and wildlife; and this should be reflected in Planning Policy and the Local Plan by ensuring the continued protection of the Green Belt.
I intend sending copies of this letter to my local Councillors and MP for their information.
Yours faithfully,
Signature"