Proposed by Councillor Michael Hornby

Seconded by Councillor Anthony Cox

(1)  Council notes that over 4,000 residents of Greasby and the surrounding area objected to planning application Number APP/11/01418 for the Erection of buildings for a retail unit (Sainsbury’s Local Store) and Vets surgery on the car park of the Red Cat, Greasby Road, Greasby, CH49 3AT.

(2)  Council notes that Wirral Planning Department while failing to determine the application was minded to recommend Refusal and this was subsequently noted and endorsed by the Planning Committee.

(3)  Council recognises that the applicant exercised their right of appeal to the Planning Inspectorate, however, is disappointed that despite the massive local opposition the Planning Inspector allowed the appeal following an exchange of documentation effectively ignoring the voices of the local community.

(4)  Therefore Council instructs the Chief Executive to write to the Rt Hon Eric Pickles MP, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government to express this Council’s disappointment at the process and decision and requests that in the interest of Localism the Secretary of State “Calls In” the Planning Inspector’s decision and orders a Public Inquiry, which will involve the local community in the decision making process ensuring this matter is dealt with in an open and transparent manner.

Amendment submitted in accordance with Standing Order 7(2)

Proposed by Councillor Bernie Mooney

Seconded by Councillor Brian Kenny

Delete paragraph (4) and replace with the following:

(4)  Therefore Council instructs the Acting Director of Law, HR and Asset Management to consider whether there are any grounds to seek a review of the Planning Inspectorate’s decision and inform Members of the Council accordingly. The Chief Executive should also write to the Rt Hon Eric Pickles MP, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, to express this Council’s disappointment at the decision particularly given the Localism Agenda promoting engagement and involvement of the local community in local decision making processes.

Having applied the guillotine in accordance with Standing Order 7(8) the Council did not debate this matter.

The amendment was put and carried (56:5) (One abstention).

The substantive motion was put and carried (61:0) (One abstention).

Resolved (61:0) (One abstention) –

(1)  Council notes that over 4,000 residents of Greasby and the surrounding area objected to planning application Number APP/11/01418 for the Erection of buildings for a retail unit (Sainsbury’s Local Store) and Vets surgery on the car park of the Red Cat, Greasby Road, Greasby, CH49 3AT.

(2)  Council notes that Wirral Planning Department while failing to determine the application was minded to recommend Refusal and this was subsequently noted and endorsed by the Planning Committee.

(3)  Council recognises that the applicant exercised their right of appeal to the Planning Inspectorate, however, is disappointed that despite the massive local opposition the Planning Inspector allowed the appeal following an exchange of documentation effectively ignoring the voices of the local community.

(4)  Therefore Council instructs the Acting Director of Law, HR and Asset Management to consider whether there are any grounds to seek a review of the Planning Inspectorate’s decision and inform Members of the Council accordingly. The Chief Executive should also write to the Rt Hon Eric Pickles MP, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, to express this Council’s disappointment at the decision particularly given the Localism Agenda promoting engagement and involvement of the local community in local decision making processes.