That the Director of Regeneration and Place has approved:

1. the re-designation of the Devonshire Park Neighbourhood Planning Forum as the statutory neighbourhood planning forum for the Neighbourhood Area of Devonshire Park shown in Appendix 3 to the report, subject to the proposed constitution attached at Appendix 2 to the report; and

2. the publication of the decision to re-designate and the associated documents in Appendices 1 to 3 of the report, in accordance with Regulation 7 and Regulation 10 of the Neighbourhood Planning General Regulations 2012, as amended.

To fulfil the Council’s statutory duties for the administration of applications to establish a statutory neighbourhood planning forum and a statutory neighbourhood area boundary for an area identified by the local community at Devonshire Park.

In the absence of any decision being made in respect of the neighbourhood area application within the statutory timeframe it will be deemed to be approved as made.

The Council can refuse an application to designate a neighbourhood area if it considers that the area is not appropriate to be designated as a neighbourhood area, but the Council must publish a statement of the reasons for refusing any application and must ensure that at least some or all of the specified area forms part of the area to be designated. This is not recommended as it is considered that the area that is the subject of the proposed forum is appropriate.

Part 3 Section C – Overview and Scheme of Delegations of Authority to Officers

The decision is not reserved to a Committee or Sub-Committee and the Director is satisfied that paragraphs 2(a) to 2(c) apply.

Background Papers

National Planning Practice Guidance – Neighbourhood Planning, DLUHC, September 2020

Links to the relevant legislation are set out in an Endnote to the Background Note that accompanies the consultation, which can be viewed at https://www.wirral.gov.uk/planning-and-building/local-plans-and-planning-policy/neighbourhood-planning/devonshire-park