Resolved: that,

Approve the adoption of the revised Local Development Scheme as set out at Appendix 1 of this report.

This report recommends the approval of revisions to the future timetable for the preparation of the Wirral Local Plan, as set out in the revised Local Development Scheme attached to this report at Appendix 1. The revised scheme will replace the Local Development Scheme adopted by the Council in October 2020. It has become necessary to review the Local Development Scheme because of the delay caused by the impact of the Covid 19 Pandemic on work progress and the need to complete essential evidence studies. This has had the knock-on effect of delaying the preparation of the Regulation 19 stage of the Local Plan. The Council is still under the threat of intervention from the Government because of the timescale for producing the Local Plan. The revised timescale, and the reasons for it, have been discussed with the Department for Levelling Up Housing and Communities (DLUHC).

There are no alternative options, as national regulations require the publication of an up-to-date Local Development Scheme, as soon as possible after the information becomes available.