This report seeks approval for the Council to adopt the Wirral Interim Approach to Avoid and Mitigate Recreational Disturbance as a material consideration in the determination of planning applications. The approach provides a mechanism to fund measures, through a tariff on new housing development of 10 or more units, to avoid and mitigate disturbance to birds from human activity on the internationally designated foreshores around the Wirral coast arising from additional visits to the coast generated by new housing development. The Wirral Interim approach forms part of a wider Liverpool City Region Recreational Management Strategy (LCR RMS) initiative to tackle this issue. The Wirral Interim approach has been produced as an interim measure due to delays in implementing the LCR RMS, which is expected to come into force in 2024.

The Wirral Interim approach document was published in draft alongside the Submission Draft Wirral Local Plan 2021-2037 in July 2022 and is in the Local Plan Examination Library as document reference ECC27. The LCR RMS will be implemented through a joint Supplementary Planning Document, and the draft scoping document (currently out to consultation) is appended to this report for noting. The Local Plan will support all five themes of the Wirral Plan 2021-26: Inclusive Economy, Safe & Pleasant Communities, Sustainable Environment, Brighter Futures and Active & Healthy Lives.