Councillor Janette Williamson moved and Councillor Jean Robinson seconded a motion submitted in accordance with Standing Order 13.

In moving the motion, Councillor Williamson confirmed that she was happy to accept the Conservative Group amendment, which was moved by Councillor Tracy Elzeiny and seconded by Councillor Mike Collins and read as follows:

Insert at the end of the final paragraph:

‘which is one of the Council’s key priorities and underpins Wirral’s ambitious regeneration plans that are primarily focused on the east side of the Borough on brownfield sites.

Council wishes to take this opportunity to reassure residents and Green Belt campaigners that it will defend its position vigorously during both the Local Plan hearings and the Leverhulme appeals.’

Councillor Williamson also confirmed that she was happy to accept the Liberal Democrat Group amendment, which was moved by Councillor Stuart Kelly and seconded by Councillor Allan Brame and read as follows:

Delete: ‘Planning Committee’ in second paragraph and insert instead: ‘Council’s’.

Delete: ‘being paused’ in second paragraph and insert instead:

‘sitting for three weeks from 18^th April to 12^th May 2023 before being paused until September.’

Delete paragraph 3 and replace with:

‘Council Applauds all the hard work that has been done to protect the greenbelt on Wirral and regrets the PINS decision will cause unnecessary worry and distress to residents affected in Irby, Pensby, Barnston and Heswall in particular.

Council reaffirms I opposition to the Leverhulme applications for the reasons given in the relevant planning decision notices.

Council remains confident that the Leverhulme applications do not comply with the core planning principles within the NPPF (section 13) or the existing Unitary Development Plan and relevant policies of the emerging Wirral Local Plan.

Council Further notes that the Planning Inspector has raised issues of prematurity and Council is of the view that prematurity is a strong reason to resist these applications.’

Following a debate, and Councillor Williamson having replied, the motion was put and it was –

Resolved (unanimously) – That:

Council notes that the Local Plan was submitted to the Planning Inspectorate, a Government body, for examination and a date has now been set by the Planning Inspectorate for the 18th April 2023 to start the Local Plan hearings.

Council also notes the Council’s decision to refuse planning permission has been appealed by Leverhulme and is therefore dismayed and concerned that the Planning Inspectorate has made a decision to begin a public Inquiry on the Leverhulme appeals starting on the 16 May 2023 which will result in the Local Plan examination sitting for three weeks from 18th April to 12th May before being paused until September.

Council applauds all the hard work that has been done to protect the greenbelt on Wirral and regrets that PINS decision will cause unnecessary worry and distress to residents affected in Irby, Pensby, Barnston and Heswall in particular.

Council reaffirms its opposition to the Leverhulme applications for the reasons given in the relevant planning decision notices.

Council remains confident that the Leverhulme applications do not comply with the core planning principles within the NPPF (section 13) or the existing Unitary Development Plan and relevant policies of the emerging Wirral Local Plan.

Council further notes that the Planning Inspector has raised issues of prematurity and Council is of the view that prematurity is a strong reason to resist these applications.

The Leader of the Council seeks the support of members of the Council to write to the Secretary of State and the Planning Inspectorate to urge them to delay the Leverhulme appeals, until such time as the Local Plan examination has been concluded. Council believes that such a step is necessary to reinforce the Council’s commitment to protect Wirral’s Greenbelt and its Local Plan, which is one of the Council’s key priorities and underpins Wirral’s ambitious regeneration plans that are primarily focused on the east side of the Borough on brownfield sites.

Council wishes to take this opportunity to reassure residents and Green Belt campaigners that it will defend its position vigorously during both the Local Plan hearings and the Leverhulme appeals.