WIRRAL is set to move even closer to seeing its brownfield only Local Plan ready for approval by councillors.

A final consultation will get underway from Wednesday, September 25 on the remaining changes required by inspectors to ensure the Plan meets the needs of the borough and complies with planning regulations.

The Local Plan is a document that outlines where and how Wirral will meet future demand for housing, employment land and the infrastructure needed to support this, while also protecting its green spaces.

The Inspectors appointed to examine the Local Plan had written to the council in March 2024 stating that the Plan was “unsound” meaning the council had to made “main modifications” to enable the Plan to be adopted.

Since then the council has been working with the Inspectors to agree the required updates.

The inspectors have now confirmed that the council can commence the consultation on the modifications.

This process will start on September 25 and run until November 8.

The consultation is on those changes proposed and agreed by the council.

Many of the changes that form part of this consultation were already proposed and discussed during the hearings into the Local Plan in 2023. The other key changes address the points raised by the Inspectors in their letter of March 2024.

The changes do not propose any new sites for development and do not propose the release of any Green Belt land. The consultation seeks comments on the proposed modifications only and does not open up the debate into other matters that have already been fully examined during hearing sessions.

Wirral Council’s Labour Leader, Cllr Paul Stuart said: “Our brownfield-first Local Plan underpins Wirral Labour’s ambitious regeneration programme that will enable us to deliver the thousands of new homes we need in a sustainable way whilst enhancing opportunities and prosperity for all residents.

“We mark a significant milestone as we progress into the final stage of adopting the Local Plan for Wirral. This Local Plan is essential to guide what can be built and where across our borough for the next 15 years. It also outlines the necessary infrastructure to support this development.

“Wirral's draft local plan fully supports the new Labour Government's plans to address the UK's housing crisis and Wirral Council's alignment with the Labour Government to pursue a brownfield first housebuilding policy that seeks maximum protection of our greenbelt areas.

“This Local Plan represents the culmination of many years of rigorous effort. Following this final consultation on the changes requested by the planning inspectors, the inspectors will review the public's feedback and issue their final report. This will be the final step before it returns to Wirral Council for adoption.

“We are fully committed to seeing this process through and ensuring Wirral's positive and sustainable future.”

All material for the consultation is published on the Local Plan examination web page. The page also includes FAQs which have been developed to help explain the process.

Letters will be sent to all representors on the Local Plan database. Anyone can make representations on a proposed modification and the FAQs explain how the process works.

Once to consultation is concluded the Inspectors will consider the responses and produce their final report. When this is received then the council can move to adopt the Local Plan.

For more information, visit: https://www.wirral.gov.uk/new-local-plan