(Appendices - Volume 1 attached. Volumes 2 and 3 are available to view in the web library)

The Deputy Chief Executive / Director of Corporate Services informed members of the findings of the Strategy for Retail, Town Centre and Commercial Leisure produced by Roger Tym and Partners on behalf of the Council as part of the evidence base for the Wirral Local Development Framework. The report summarised the main aspects of the study encompassing the key recommendations to the Council, including the recommendation that the Strategy for Town Centres, Retail and Commercial Leisure be approved as a material consideration for use by Planning Committee in the determination of planning applications; that the findings of the Study be used to inform the content of the emerging Core Strategy Development Plan Document and that the findings of the Strategy be used to inform the delivery of Investment Strategy priorities.

Having circulated an amended recommendation to the Cabinet, it was then moved by Councillor Stapleton, duly seconded and -

Resolved – That,

(1) Cabinet confirms the designation of Birkenhead as a sub regional centre and supports Options 5 and 6 for meeting future retail and leisure needs in addition to an allowance for growth for existing retail centres across Wirral and recommends to Council that the Strategy for Town Centres, Retail and Commercial Leisure be approved as a material consideration for use by Planning Committee in the determination of planning applications, except for the status of Oxton Road and Grange Road West, where the recommendations in the report are contrary to the Core Strategy Development Plan Core Document, previously approved for public consultation;

(2) the Council will continue to support proposals for retail development coming forward within existing centres and the new Government Planning Policy Statement 4 retains a clear “Town Centres First” approach to retail development;

(3) in Liscard, for example we have granted Planning Permission for redevelopment of the Cherry Tree Centre and we continue to encourage the owners to implement the scheme;

(4) the findings of the Strategy be used to inform the content of the emerging Core Strategy Development Plan Document;

(5) the findings of the Strategy be used to inform the delivery of Investment Strategy priorities;

(6) in addition, Cabinet requests that as part of the current consultation on the Spatial Options that views be sought on whether any other local shopping areas should be considered for possible inclusion as “local centres” within the LDF Core Strategy;

(7) Cabinet requests further reports be produced –

(a) on the interventions and recommendations made in the consultants’ report in the following areas, following consultation with the centres affected and the local area forums and other local stakeholders as appropriate:

• Hoylake town centre
• New Ferry town centre
• New Brighton (Seabank Road)
• Seacombe (Borough Road/Poulton Road)
• Wallasey Village
• Irby Village

(b) setting out options to deal with the derelict sites identified within the Prenton (Woodchurch Road) centre;

(c) setting out options to address the requirement for additional car parking spaces in Moreton town centre;

(d) setting out options, following consultation with stakeholders, on the issues raised in respect of the secondary shopping areas in Birkenhead including Oxton Road/Grange Road West, and Argyle Street/Market Street and their consideration as part of Birkenhead Town Centre within the Core Strategy Development Plan Document.

(8) Cabinet notes the plans already in place to address the issues raised at New Brighton (Victoria Road), West Kirby and Laird Street;

(9) the conclusions and designations of the other centres described in the report are noted and agreed.