ARCHIVED ARTICLES
National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). Threats to Greenbelt and Regeneration
We continue to work with Wirral Green Space Alliance (WGSA) in dealing with the Local Plan and concerns surrounding the NPPF and together with WGSA met with Wirral MPs on February 28th 2025. For details of the meeting click here.
Key Implications:
·Doubling of the already over-inflated housing “need” which would falsely imply a 20% increase in Wirral’s population
·Releasing Green Belt for houses that are not needed
·An immediate review of the Local Plan using inflated population figures
the newer increased targets would lead to the planned regeneration of deprived areas and the underdeveloped Waterfront being put at risk and would prevent reduction of the unacceptable, long-standing disparity across the Peninsula for yet another generation.
Call to Action
The council must urgently adopt Wirral’s Local Plan before the revised NPPF deadline to prevent excessive housing targets that could jeopardize regeneration efforts and risk uncontrolled Green Belt development. MPs must clarify the exact deadline, push for the swift release of the Planning Inspectorate’s report, and work to prevent legislative delays in future Local Plans.
We have called for a full review of ‘Grey Belt’ designation, targeted investment in regeneration areas, and action against speculative land banking. Public sector funding is critical to deliver sustainable communities and much-needed social housing.
Key Implications:
·Doubling of the already over-inflated housing “need” which would falsely imply a 20% increase in Wirral’s population
·Releasing Green Belt for houses that are not needed
·An immediate review of the Local Plan using inflated population figures
the newer increased targets would lead to the planned regeneration of deprived areas and the underdeveloped Waterfront being put at risk and would prevent reduction of the unacceptable, long-standing disparity across the Peninsula for yet another generation.
Call to Action
The council must urgently adopt Wirral’s Local Plan before the revised NPPF deadline to prevent excessive housing targets that could jeopardize regeneration efforts and risk uncontrolled Green Belt development. MPs must clarify the exact deadline, push for the swift release of the Planning Inspectorate’s report, and work to prevent legislative delays in future Local Plans.
We have called for a full review of ‘Grey Belt’ designation, targeted investment in regeneration areas, and action against speculative land banking. Public sector funding is critical to deliver sustainable communities and much-needed social housing.
Heswall Protests at Plans to Close Critical Car Parking
Liverpool Echo extract:
Thousands have signed petitions as they slammed a "nonsense" proposal to close two car parks in a Wirral town.
Criticisms were made about the report including the use of data from 2019. Dr Steve Anderson from the Heswall Society said: "This is just nonsense. Most of the consultation study was done in 2019. "This is now 2023 and a lot has happened in Heswall since then. We’ve had the Wetherspoons open and we are going to have another pub opening up at the old police station so it is going to be highly busy."
Dr Anderson also criticised the way the council has done its consultation. He said: "The only way you can respond to this consultation is by going on the website. They wouldn’t allow emails or paper comments which does disenfranchise a lot of people even if they are aware of the consultation." He added: "I think they needed to advertise what is going on and what the recommendations were. From my perspective they haven’t done enough to inform the local communities."
Jennifer Evans who lives next to the car park said: "The car park is full and my block of flats come with 6 car parking spaces so my visitors have to come and pay here. It's always busy.
A council spokesperson has said "The findings of this consultation will be reported to a meeting of the Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport Committee in December 2023.”
The full article is available on the Echo’s website
Others raised the points that the study only used data from paid parking ignoring nighttime and Blue Badge holder use which is very significant in Heswall. Questions have been raised with regard to validity of the study given its flawed methodology and whether it represent value for money for rate payers.
Local councilors are committed to opposing the plans.
Thousands have signed petitions as they slammed a "nonsense" proposal to close two car parks in a Wirral town.
Criticisms were made about the report including the use of data from 2019. Dr Steve Anderson from the Heswall Society said: "This is just nonsense. Most of the consultation study was done in 2019. "This is now 2023 and a lot has happened in Heswall since then. We’ve had the Wetherspoons open and we are going to have another pub opening up at the old police station so it is going to be highly busy."
Dr Anderson also criticised the way the council has done its consultation. He said: "The only way you can respond to this consultation is by going on the website. They wouldn’t allow emails or paper comments which does disenfranchise a lot of people even if they are aware of the consultation." He added: "I think they needed to advertise what is going on and what the recommendations were. From my perspective they haven’t done enough to inform the local communities."
Jennifer Evans who lives next to the car park said: "The car park is full and my block of flats come with 6 car parking spaces so my visitors have to come and pay here. It's always busy.
A council spokesperson has said "The findings of this consultation will be reported to a meeting of the Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport Committee in December 2023.”
The full article is available on the Echo’s website
Others raised the points that the study only used data from paid parking ignoring nighttime and Blue Badge holder use which is very significant in Heswall. Questions have been raised with regard to validity of the study given its flawed methodology and whether it represent value for money for rate payers.
Local councilors are committed to opposing the plans.
Saving Our Green Belt
The Fight Continues (October 2023 Update)
The Leverhulme Estates appeals against the Council’s refusals of their seven planning applications
- all for significant sized developments on Green Belt land finished on finished on July 4
In September we heard the good news that the Leverhulme Appeals against the Council’s refusal of their applications have been dismissed by the examiner. We now await to see if Leverhulme Estates wish to challenge this decision in the High Court.
The reasons for dismissal are very much in line with those that the Society, as part of the Wirral Green Space Alliance, has been stressing over and over. In particular, Prematurity ie if upheld, the decisions would totally undermine the Local Plan process which was deliberately paused to hear this inquiry.
This has been a great Team effort by all those involved and could have great implications not just locally but also much wider. In particular we owe a debt of gratitude to John Heath the WGSA coordinator, Jackie Copley our Planning Consultant and Peter Black our advocate.
While we deserve to celebrate winning this notable battle, the war continues as Leverhulme Estates as part of the Developer Consortium, continue to try to destroy the Council’s draft Local Plan contending that the Local Plan is fundamentally flawed.
The Consortium continues to use emotive language to support their case claiming incorrectly that there is an acute housing shortage in Wirral and that the Council cannot demonstrate that there is sufficient housing in the first 5 years of the Local Plan that they can fill by building on the Green Belt.
Our Green Belt therefore remains at risk!
Leverhulme Estates also had a further Appeal regarding a later outline planning application to build up to 240 dwellings on the Green Belt Land East Of Rigby Drive , Greasby – Greenhouse Farm -
ORIGINAL APP NUMBER......OUT/22/01821 / APPEAL REF.......APP/W4325/W/23/3327219
The Society forwarded an objection as with the previous applications.
The appeal was planned to be heard by government inspector Mr Richard Catchpole on the 5th December at 10am. In view of their loss of the above appeals, this appeal was withdrawn.
The Leverhulme Estates appeals against the Council’s refusals of their seven planning applications
- all for significant sized developments on Green Belt land finished on finished on July 4
In September we heard the good news that the Leverhulme Appeals against the Council’s refusal of their applications have been dismissed by the examiner. We now await to see if Leverhulme Estates wish to challenge this decision in the High Court.
The reasons for dismissal are very much in line with those that the Society, as part of the Wirral Green Space Alliance, has been stressing over and over. In particular, Prematurity ie if upheld, the decisions would totally undermine the Local Plan process which was deliberately paused to hear this inquiry.
This has been a great Team effort by all those involved and could have great implications not just locally but also much wider. In particular we owe a debt of gratitude to John Heath the WGSA coordinator, Jackie Copley our Planning Consultant and Peter Black our advocate.
While we deserve to celebrate winning this notable battle, the war continues as Leverhulme Estates as part of the Developer Consortium, continue to try to destroy the Council’s draft Local Plan contending that the Local Plan is fundamentally flawed.
The Consortium continues to use emotive language to support their case claiming incorrectly that there is an acute housing shortage in Wirral and that the Council cannot demonstrate that there is sufficient housing in the first 5 years of the Local Plan that they can fill by building on the Green Belt.
Our Green Belt therefore remains at risk!
Leverhulme Estates also had a further Appeal regarding a later outline planning application to build up to 240 dwellings on the Green Belt Land East Of Rigby Drive , Greasby – Greenhouse Farm -
ORIGINAL APP NUMBER......OUT/22/01821 / APPEAL REF.......APP/W4325/W/23/3327219
The Society forwarded an objection as with the previous applications.
The appeal was planned to be heard by government inspector Mr Richard Catchpole on the 5th December at 10am. In view of their loss of the above appeals, this appeal was withdrawn.
Cool Heswall Returns
Cool Heswall Saturday 18th May 2024 (anytime between 10am and 4pm) in Hill House Gardens (Mount Avenue Heswall CH60 0AF).
Organised by the Joint Rotary Environment Group, Heswall and community residents
This is a great opportunity for everyone to find out more about environmental organisations and enterprises across Wirral who are all working to protect our precious environment and wildlife and help us live our lives more sustainably.
Visit the Heswall Society stall to find out the role we are playing and take part in our family competition with lucky dip prizes and more.
Organised by the Joint Rotary Environment Group, Heswall and community residents
This is a great opportunity for everyone to find out more about environmental organisations and enterprises across Wirral who are all working to protect our precious environment and wildlife and help us live our lives more sustainably.
Visit the Heswall Society stall to find out the role we are playing and take part in our family competition with lucky dip prizes and more.
Friends of Feather Lane Woods
(the woods below Tesco)
The Council not having the resources to fully maintain the woods, the purpose of the Friends Group is to help protect and manage them to stop them from becoming an unsightly jungle and so that they can continue to be a much needed haven for wildlife.
If you would like to be involved, please contact Heswall Society at [email protected]
If you would like to be involved, please contact Heswall Society at [email protected]
Friends of Dawstone Park
The Heswall Society continues to support the active Friends of Dawstone Park Group, and are delighted that it has, once again, achieved Green Flag Status!
Friends of Whitfield Common
Friends of Whitfield Common is a newly formed friends group whose aim is to make Whitfield Common an interesting place for people of all ages. Their ambitions include renewing the tennis courts, making a Five a Side football pitch, possibly extending the cycle area as well as cleaning up and use of the existing building, provided they can secure Council support. They are full of ideas for future projects with local community, schools, scouts etc but they need support and will welcome anyone with energy, ideas and some time. In due course they will also need a chairman and board of trustees.
Cllr Andrew Hodson is co-ordinating names of those who would like to join in so please email [email protected] if you would like to help in any way.
Cllr Andrew Hodson is co-ordinating names of those who would like to join in so please email [email protected] if you would like to help in any way.
Queen's Green Canopy Project
At an event hosted by the Heswall Society on 8 December 2022 attended by the Council’s Landscape Manager, Nicola Wallbank and local residents, the Lord Lieutenant of Merseyside, Mr Mark Blundell, and Deputy Lieutenant, Mr John Roberts, kindly participated in the planting of ten fruit trees on the Green Triangle between Thurstaston/Telegraph Roads, the Heswall Society’s contribution towards The Queen’s Green Canopy Project.
The Society is delighted to have since received confirmation that its Jubilee tree planting has been uploaded to The Queen’s Green Canopy (QGC) map, and has been asked to share the hashtag #QueensGreenCanopy or #plantatreeforthejubilee to encourage others across the UK to get involved. The Society would greatly value the help of Local Residents in the vital task of watering and weeding the saplings in their first two years as they become established. If you can help, please contact: Annabel Barton 0151 342 7102 📧[email protected]. ***URGENT***
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Lower Village Action Group
The Society was recently approached by shopkeepers, businesses and local residents of the Lower Village, for help in forming a group similar to the Heswall & District Business Association, but exclusively focused on reinvigorating the Lower Village by whatever means.
The newly formed Lower Village Action Group committee held its inaugural meeting in early January when ideas/thoughts flowed and from these, a number of possible initiatives are being pursued. It’s a case of ‘watch this space’ for developments. Thank you Dennis!
The Society's committee has presented an etched vase to Dennis Clegg, our recently retired Planning Officer, in recognition of the huge contribution he has made to The Heswall Society and the years of work and support he has given to the Heswall community.
The Heswall Society is the local amenity society for Heswall and Gayton, formed just over 60 years ago by some far-sighted residents. For more information, Click here.
below Heswall
New members who share our aim to retain the quality of Heswall and Gayton, without opposing sensitive change, are very welcome. If you would like to join The Heswall Society please click on the red button below. The Society has responded to three consultations put out by the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government concerning:
Eight Conservation Area signs have been erected on lamp posts at the main entrances to Heswall Lower Village Conservation Area, and one sign at the entrance to Gayton Conservation Area
NewslettersClick Here to see the Society's Spring 2022 Newsletter which has now been published and distributed to Members. Non members are encouraged to read it in order see and appreciate just how much time and effort the Society invests in protecting Heswall's built environment and public spaces for the benefit of its community, and we hope you will consider joining us!
Previous editions can be accessed within the Members Area. Potholes!
The Government has given Wirral an extra £1.4 million to fix pot holes in our roads. Residents are invited to nominate a road for repair. To do so, Click Here. Now's your chance!
Did you know that this logo was developed from a design by a pupil of Heswall Primary School in 1996? Planning ReportsHeswall in Bloom
The bed by the Catholic Church has now been planted out with shrubs. These are mainly perennials and together with the bark chippings, it is hoped to keep the weeds down and minimise maintenance requirements. Benches mounted on concrete bases have also now been installed. The Rotary Club of West Wirral and a member from the Catholic Church are covering the costs.
The estimated planting costs for the current year (summer and winter plantings) is £2000. This is based on the amount spent in 2020, but includes an approximate extra 10% increase. While current funds will partially cover this cost, it is not appropriate to ask our struggling local businesses for funding due to the current pandemic, and it is doubtful whether our councillors will be able to support us. We will therefore be relying on resident donations to boost these funds. If you can help, please forward donations, clearly marked for Heswall in Bloom, to Chairman, The Heswall Society, c/o Heswall Hall, 111 Telegraph Road, Wirral CH60 0AF. Friends of Dawstone Park
The Heswall Society continues to support the active Friends of Dawstone Park Group, and are delighted that it has, once again, achieved Green Flag Status!
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