Sam Hird – Asset Manager, Department of Law, HR and Asset Management

Responding to questions from the Committee, Mr Hird stated that he was not aware that the Council had offered the PCT any other sites. The only part of the land that was within the boundary of Arrowe Country Park was that area where a proposed access to the site was required. The area of the Warrens was not designated as part of the Park in the Unitary Development Plan, although all the area was greenbelt land.

Both Mr J Lester, Head of Cultural Services in the Council’s Regeneration Department and the Department of Law, HR and Asset Management’s representative confirmed that this was the case and the UDP adopted by the Council in 2000 showed the area under discussion to be deliberately excluded from Arrowe Country Park as it was an operational area, the only piece of land that was not proposed for the access route.

Mr Hird went on to say, in response to further questions, that the Council had looked at the possibility of developing a social enterprise on the site but that nothing had come of this. The Cabinet report did say that the PCT could have the land if they obtained planning permission and if satisfactory terms were agreed. No approach had been made to the Council regarding a private horticultural use. The land could be sold or leased and constraints could be imposed if the land was leased.

Glen Coleman – Head of Bebington and West Wirral Locality, Wirral PCT

Responding to questions from the Committee Mr Coleman stated that as far as he was aware the Council had not offered any other suitable land to the PCT. The PCT had looked at many sites over the last 8 years and many factors were taken into consideration including the fact that it was greenbelt land. The PCT would not actively go out looking for greenbelt land to build on. Looking for a site on greenbelt land was not a preferred option. A firm of planning consultants had undertaken the assessments and the Warrens site had come out top. The second site had scored some way behind in its assessment and there were some substantial issues with it.

The last site assessment was in September 2008 on the ‘demonstration gardens’ site of the Warrens. Subsequent to this the Council had opened negotiations on the site now under discussion but there had been no site assessment of this land. It was not the preferred option as it hadn’t been assessed and he did not know whether it would become the preferred option.

He apologised to the Committee that he did not have any of the site assessment documentation with him but would be happy to provide this information to the Committee. Had he been aware discussion would take place about the other site (demonstration gardens) he would have brought that information with him.

Consultation had taken place with the public over the planning application submitted last year and overall this had been positive but with a number of objectors. If the latest suggested site were to become a preferred option then full public consultation would take place and the PCT would want to work with the local residents to make the site as open as possible.

The Chair expressed her disappointment that Mr Coleman had not brought any information to the meeting about the consultation.

Jim Lester – Head of Cultural Services, Department of Regeneration

Responding to questions from the Committee Mr Lester stated that it would be possible to return the land to open space although this had not been considered in any detail or costed. The Warrens was generally thought of as a separate site for management purposes and not as part of the park. It maybe considered within the curtilage but not as part of the park. There were no public footpaths on the definitive map of the site but he was aware of an application made for a footpath.

There were approximately 500 people on the waiting list for an allotment. The Warrens had not been looked at as a possible site for allotments as they were generally on enclosed sites secured against public access. When the land was no longer required for operational purposes as a nursery the land had then become an estates management issue. Staff were trained outside of Wirral in horticulture as it was cheaper to do so than train them in-house.

Having heard all the witnesses the Chair then allowed Mrs V Curtis to address the Committee once more. Mrs Curtis then summed up the case of the witnesses opposed to the proposed disposal of the area of land.