Protect Our Green Belt at Saughall Massie Road West Kirby - Stop Miller Homes

We, the undersigned, call on Wirral Council to protect the Green Belt land off Saughall Massie Road, Newton/West Kirby, and to require the fullest possible environmental scrutiny of any proposal to build on these sites.

Currently, developer Miller Homes is proposing the construction of 140 houses on 5.19 hectares of Green Belt land located behind Black Horse Hill and Hilbre Schools. This site exceeds the 5-hectare threshold normally associated with Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) screening requirements, yet the developer argues that a full EIA is not necessary.

We strongly believe that this proposal warrants comprehensive environmental assessment and that this valued Green Belt land should remain protected.

We oppose this development because:

1. Loss of Green Belt The Green Belt exists to prevent urban sprawl, safeguard open countryside and maintain the distinct character of our communities. Once Green Belt land is lost to development, it is almost impossible to recover. Building on the Greenbelt redirects investment and resources away from Wirral’s much needed brownfield regeneration strategy which focuses on Birkenhead and the Docklands.

2. Threat to Wildlife and Protected Habitats The site is recognised as "Functionally Linked Land" to the internationally important River Dee RAMSAR, Special Protection Area (SPA) and Special Area of Conservation (SAC). It provides vital support for birds, many of them qualifying species (of national and international importance which depend on these inland agricultural fields, pastures, and open spaces for roosting, high-tide refuge, foraging, sheltering, and breeding. Other vulnerable wildlife, such as bats and hedgehogs, also depend on this land.

3. Risk of Further Development Residents are concerned that the current proposal may only be the beginning. Previous submissions by Miller Homes had proposed the development of up to 550 homes on land either side of Saughall Massie Road. Approving 140 homes now could set a precedent for much larger future developments.

4. Increased Traffic and Road Safety Concerns Local roads already experience congestion at peak times, particularly in the narrow lanes and around the nearby schools. Additional housing will place further pressure on road networks, increase vehicle movements and potentially compromise road safety.

5. Flood Risk and Climate Resilience This Green Belt land plays a vital role in absorbing rainfall and reducing surface water runoff. Miller Homes claim that they do not anticipate any flooding problems yet there are surface water flows across the land and Newton Brook borders it to the east. These fields are now waterlogged for most of the winter, every single year. Where will the water go if these fields are covered in concrete? The runoff from this housing estates WILL increase flooding in the local area AND downstream. There is already regular flooding of the highway near the junction with Gilroy Road. There is also regular flooding of the nearby China Farm Lane with the highway regularly closed and diversions in place because of flooding.

Development could increase flood risks both on-site and in surrounding neighbourhoods, and also downstream of Newton brook in the River Birkett catchment (in Meols and Moreton) particularly as climate change increases rainfall frequency and intensities.

6. Loss of Productive Agricultural Land A significant proportion (79%) of this land is classed as BMV (Best and Most Versatile) farmland. We need to retain our food producing agricultural land to mitigate the impacts of climate change and international geopolitics on the UKs food supply.

7. Impact on Local Services / Existing Planning Permissions Yet more additional housing would increase demand on schools, GP surgeries and other local services that are already under significant pressure. There is already proposals granted planning permission to build houses on “the Sheepfield” on Grange Rd. Developments already under construction on the other side of Grange rd (The Grange), Hilbre Sands on Dee lane, Sandbank Point on Banks Rd plus others nearby. Other West Kirby sites have already been allocated for construction, in Wirrals Local Plan.

8. Cumulative Impact The cumulative impact of this development plus other housing and infrastructure developments across the Wirral will have a significant cumulative impact on the community, farmland, the local environment, the health and wellbeing of the residents and will cause traffic mayhem during and after construction. In particular, this development combined with the proposed Peak Cluster CO2 pipeline and Above Ground Installations (which is proposed close to and crossing Saughall Massie Rd) and the proposed Thurstaston Solar Farm will have a devastating impact on the Functionally Linked Land in the area.

Our Requests

We call upon Wirral Council to:

Protect this Green Belt land from this inappropriate development.
Require a full and comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment before any planning decision is considered.
Fully assess the cumulative effects of this and any wider development proposals in the area, including Peak Cluster.
Give significant weight to impacts on wildlife, biodiversity, flood risk, traffic, farmland and community infrastructure.
Ensure residents' concerns are heard and properly considered throughout the planning process.
Sign the Petition

West Kirby and Newton's Green Belt is a precious community asset that provides wildlife habitat, natural flood protection, productive farmland open countryside and a clear boundary between communities. Future generations deserve the same nature and green space that we enjoy today.

We urge Wirral Council to reject this inappropriate housing development and protect West Kirby and Newton's Green Belt for the future.

Sign this petition today and help safeguard our countryside, wildlife and community.