Councillor Mike Collins moved and Councillor Tom Anderson seconded the following motion submitted in accordance with Standing Order 13:

‘Council notes that under The Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act of 2004, all local councils were required to have a clear Local Plan for development. This Plan would clearly state the areas to be protected and conserved, such as Wirral’s Green Belt, and those areas which would be earmarked for development for housing and commercial use.

Council further notes that in March 2018, the then Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government wrote to the then Leader of the Council signalling his intention to intervene in Wirral’s Local Plan process.

Council finally welcomed a draft Local Plan in May 2022. The draft Local Plan, which received all Party support, does not designate any Green Belt for development and, instead, requires developers to invest and regenerate the eastern side of the Borough.

Council notes one of Wirral’s largest landowners has submitted seven planning applications for 788 houses and has indicated its intention to submit a further application for another 240 houses, all to be built on Wirral’s precious Green Belt land.

Council is disappointed that representatives acting on behalf of the landowner have so far refused invitations from local councillors to attend any public meetings organised to discuss these applications.

Council therefore wishes to reaffirm its commitment to protecting Wirral’s precious Green Belt and urges all Wirral landowners to work with our local communities and the Council to do the same.’

Councillor Orod Osanlou moved and Councillor Stuart Kelly seconded the following amendment, submitted in accordance with Standing Order 13.3:

Insert after final paragraph:

‘Council expresses its concern over recent speeches by government ministers which, if enacted, pose a threat by the Conservative Government to Wirral green belt land.

Council believes the Conservative Government has broken their 2019 manifesto pledge to maintain the moratorium on fracking, unless proven scientifically to be safe. The resumption of fracking could have irrevocable effects on the environment, including effects upon Wirral’s green belt land. Council requests the Government to stop this damaging policy and reinstate the moratorium on fracking in order to protect Wirral’s green belt.

Council further believes the Conservative Government is breaking another 2019 manifesto pledge to protect the green belt by proposing the relaxation of planning policies, including in ‘investment zones’ (within which habitat regulations may be less enforceable), which will facilitate development within Wirral Greenbelt without adequate regulation. Council therefore calls on the Government to cease this damaging policy that will result in the permanent loss of green belt land during a climate emergency, and which is contrary to the aim of the draft Wirral Local Plan to protect the green belt.’

Following a debate, and Councillor Mike Collins having replied as mover of the original motion, the amendment was put and agreed (38:20) (1 abstention).

Following a further debate on the substantive motion, as amended, the motion was put and it was –

Resolved (unanimously) – That

 Council notes that under The Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act of 2004, all local councils were required to have a clear Local Plan for development. This Plan would clearly state the areas to be protected and conserved, such as Wirral’s Green Belt, and those areas which would be earmarked for development for housing and commercial use.

Council further notes that in March 2018, the then Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government wrote to the then Leader of the Council signalling his intention to intervene in Wirral’s Local Plan process.

Council finally welcomed a draft Local Plan in May 2022. The draft Local Plan, which received all Party support, does not designate any Green Belt for development and, instead, requires developers to invest and regenerate the eastern side of the Borough.

Council notes one of Wirral’s largest landowners has submitted seven planning applications for 788 houses and has indicated its intention to submit a further application for another 240 houses, all to be built on Wirral’s precious Green Belt land.

Council is disappointed that representatives acting on behalf of the landowner have so far refused invitations from local councillors to attend any public meetings organised to discuss these applications. Council therefore wishes to reaffirm its commitment to protecting Wirral’s precious Green Belt and urges all Wirral landowners to work with our local communities and the Council to do the same.

Council expresses its concern over recent speeches by government ministers which, if enacted, pose a threat by the Conservative Government to Wirral green belt land.

Council believes the Conservative Government has broken their 2019 manifesto pledge to maintain the moratorium on fracking, unless proven scientifically to be safe. The resumption of fracking could have irrevocable effects on the environment, including effects upon Wirral’s green belt land. Council requests the Government to stop this damaging policy and reinstate the moratorium on fracking in order to protect Wirral’s green belt.

Council further believes the Conservative Government is breaking another 2019 manifesto pledge to protect the green belt by proposing the relaxation of planning policies, including in ‘investment zones’(within which habitat regulations may be less enforceable), which will facilitate development within Wirral Greenbelt without adequate regulation. Council therefore calls on the Government to cease this damaging policy that will result in the permanent loss of green belt land during a climate emergency, and which is contrary to the aim of the draft Wirral Local Plan to protect the green belt.