A copy of the report on the Wirral Local Plan 2020-2035 Issues and Options Document for Public Consultation, to be considered by Cabinet at its meeting on 13 January, 2020, is attached. The Council is invited to consider and approve the recommendations from Cabinet.

The second matter requiring consideration by Council was in relation to the Wirral Local Plan - 2020-2035: Approval of Issues and Options Document for Public Consultation as recommended by Cabinet at its meeting on 13 January 2020 (minute 78 refers).

Councillor Phil Gilchrist proposed an amendment, seconded by Councillor Stuart Kelly, which was then circulated to all Members.

Councillor Pat Hackett requested a 10-minute adjournment to consider the amendment.

This was agreed by the Mayor.

The meeting adjourned at 6.15 pm and reconvened at 6.25 pm

Following the adjournment, Councillor Pat Hackett, seconder of the recommendation, informed the Council that he and Councillor Anita Leech, proposer of the motion, would be accepting the amendment.

Councillor Anita Leech then moved the recommendation, as amended, seconded by Pat Hackett. Following a debate, and Councillor Leech having replied, it was

Resolved - (56 with 1 abstention) That -

Council recognises that considerable progress has been made in developing ‘Urban intensification’ as the preferred approach and the possibility of a ‘stepped approach’ to brownfield development in Wirral.

Council endorses this approach and will continue to examine the implications of increased densities on these sites with a view to ensuring that residential amenity is retained.

Council understands the necessity for adhering to a timetable that has been set out to satisfy Government requirements.  This has led to the production and circulation of a substantial body of evidence and consultation papers which Members will consider further during the consultation process.

Members may as part of the consultation process particularly wish to further study and challenge the criteria for the ‘weakly performing parcels’ of Green Belt at all appropriate stages, considering the detail of sites identified in the ‘Interim Green Belt Site Assessment’ and its ‘interim conclusions’.  These need to be considered alongside the ‘significant negative effects’ of Options 2a and 2b as set out in AECOM ‘Sustainability Appraisal: Interim Note’ dated December 2019 (pages 383-398 refer).

Included in the documentation are sections which make it clear that with ‘potential intensification’ and ‘additional urban housing allocations’ (sections 4.2.13 to 4.2.18 and Table 4.2, pages 94 and 95 refer), it is possible to meet the Government targets.  Council stresses the need to seek to develop these areas having regard to the outcome of the public consultation.

Council requests that during the consultation process Members are kept informed as appropriate on the issues emerging so that these can be properly assessed.

Given the legal advice available to Members and the publicity secured for the launch of the consultation, coupled with the high degree of public registration and interest, the Council needs to proceed with the available documentation.

It should be noted, that:

(i)  the study of the agricultural land and economy in Wirral has now been published;

(ii)  a number of detailed studies and supporting documents have been issued and are subject to the consultation process, including the Infrastructure Delivery Plan (Chapter 7 page 166 onwards).  Following consultation Members will wish to be satisfied that development will  ...  view the full minutes text for item 114