Please note that due to the number and size of the appendices for this report, they have been provided on a supplemental agenda pack.

The Head of Regeneration Delivery presented the report of the Director of Regeneration and Place. The report noted that the Council had been developing its regeneration strategy for Wirral Left Bank for a number of years. The Birkenhead 2040 Framework was endorsed by this Committee as the interim Regeneration strategy for Wirral in March 2022. It set out that delivery of the Birkenhead 2040 Framework would be supported by more detailed Neighbourhood Frameworks and Masterplans setting out the regeneration objectives and strategies for specific areas. Policy WS6.3 of the emerging Local Plan also required Masterplans to be approved for specified areas to ensure that development is coordinated and comprehensively planned.

Five of these documents were detailed in the report, four of which were recommended for adoption:

1. Cleveland Street Neighbourhood Masterplan

2. Northside Neighbourhood Framework

3. Scott’s Quay Neighbourhood Framework

4. Dock Branch Neighbourhood Masterplan

5. New Brighton Marine Promenade Masterplan

The adopted masterplans would be a material consideration in the consideration of any planning applications submitted within the masterplan boundary, with all new development expected to conform to the masterplan proposals and requirements.

The adopted Neighbourhood Framework would be a material consideration in the determination of development in the area and will help guide future development.

The Scott’s Quay Neighbourhood Framework was recommended for withdrawal as the council’s regeneration strategy for the area, following the proposed modifications withdrawing the Regeneration Area and associated site allocations from the Local Plan. Further work would be undertaken to explore the constraints and work with stakeholders to determine a sustainable regeneration strategy for the area.

Members thanked officers involved for the report and the work involved in getting the masterplan documents together. They asked for further information on plans for moving businesses out of the area as part of the Cleveland Street Neighbourhood Masterplan, what action might be taken regarding air pollution in the area and what improvements in public transport were likely to be made in the masterplan areas.

Officers responded by noting that the Council was looking to relocate businesses within Cleveland Street and stated that a site within Northside had been acquired for those businesses. They noted that the Council was keen to keep local businesses in the area and to find them new and suitable locations.

In relation to air pollution, officers noted that the Council had established an Air Quality Action Plan and that work was ongoing to improve air quality across the borough.

The Head of Regeneration Delivery noted that the masterplans do not specifically address public transport but that work was being undertaken in those areas as part of the Mass Transit Network, which had been promoted by the Council and included the future use of the Belfast Glider bus type and that discussions with the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority to fund this were still ongoing.

Members asked for further information on the Dock Branch Park plans and the acquisition negotiations with Network Rail.

The Head of Regeneration Delivery explained that there were 2 pieces of work being undertaken to this end, with a survey of bridges and structures having been undertaken and a report on this due to be delivered by the end of July 2024, as well as a jointly commissioned valuation with Network Rail underway.

The Chair asked the Head of Regeneration Delivery to feed back the thanks of the committee to all officers that had worked on the Masterplan documents.

Resolved – That

1.  The Cleveland Street Neighbourhood Masterplan be adopted as the council’s approved planning strategy for the area;

2.  The Northside Neighbourhood Framework be approved as the council’s approved regeneration strategy for the area;

3.  The Scott’s Quay Neighbourhood Framework be withdrawn and the Director of Regeneration and Place be authorised to continue to work with Stakeholders to develop a regeneration strategy for the area;

4.  The Dock Branch Neighbourhood Masterplan be adopted as the Council’s approved planning strategy for the area; and

5.  The New Brighton Marine Promenade Masterplan be adopted as the Council’s approved planning strategy for the area.