Wonderful News at Last!
Finally, the Planning Inspectorate have informed Wirral Council that they can now adopt a Brownfield Only Local Plan, which will bring much needed regeneration to the Wirral and protect our precious Green Belt
This has been a remarkable culmination of literally years and years of hard work by Council Officers, numerous Councillors and the 30+ member groups of the Wirral Green Space Alliance. Individuals who have worked tirelessly and relentlessly to get this Local Plan over the line, despite the Developers throwing all their expensive resources and delaying tactics at us trying to wear us down. Also, a fantastic endeavour by the 1000s of members of the public who have supported us. It has been a true community effort to help shape this Local Plan.
Collectively, we have done a remarkable thing on the Wirral, producing an innovative Brownfield Only Local Plan that focusses on regenerating the areas of most need, which will bring much needed new homes in a sustainable and socially equitable way, whilst protecting our precious green spaces.
7 years ago, when we started this campaign, we were facing the bleak prospect of a Council who wanted to build all over our Green Belt whilst deprived areas were left to rot. Thankfully, the Council listened to the will of the people of the Wirral and eventually the Brownfield Only Local Plan received support from all Political Parties, every Councillor and the vast majority of Wirral residents.
Whilst this is a HUGE battle won, it is not yet the end of the war. We know that Developers still have their eyes on the more profitable Green Belt and they will continue to lobby the Government to get their hands on our precious green spaces. We know that the Government are pushing much higher housing targets and in the medium to long term the Green Belt will still remain at risk. So we will remain vigilant and our campaign will continue. We will fight to ensure that we have the right houses in the right places, not in the places where developers can make the most profit - providing houses unaffordable to most.
We want to thank every single one of you who wrote emails, letters, signed petitions, responded to consultations, printed and delivered leaflets, shared social media posts, attended public meetings and generally spread the word about our campaign – EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU MADE A DIFFERENCE. Please keep an eye on the media as we know this is just some breathing space and the Developer onslaught will likely continue. But, for now, we can celebrate!
Thank you for all your support.