More than 250 residents attend meeting to discuss threat to Wirral's Green Belt

The meeting, organised by Pensby and Thingwall Labour councillor Phill Brightmore, was held at St. Michael's and All Angels Church on Tuesday, July 31.

The Local Plan is a statutory requirement which guides where housing and other developments can be built in an area.

A Government target for housing building means there must be enough land for 800 new homes every year for the next 15 years – 12,000 in total.

Throughout September a number of consultation events will be held will offer more information about proposals across the borough.

Among the sites discussed at the meeting included Harrock Wood in Irby, an area of land owned by National Trust, which has been earmarked for development.

A spokesman from National Trust said: "Harrock Wood is very special and we know it is important to locals so won’t allow development on the site."

Heswall Conservative councillor Andrew Hodson told the Globe: “It was clear from the questions and comments from the meeting last night that residents are fully aware of the Town Hall’s failure to come up with the legally-required local plan to protect our Green Belt.

“Many people are genuinely angry that the Town Hall is taking them for fools – people last night were very aware it is the Town Hall that has given away Green Belt at Saughall Massie while many people also questioned Labour’s plans to build on Green Belt at Hoylake.

"Cllr Brightmore, Labour’s cabinet member for the environment, who chaired last night’s meeting, wouldn’t even commit to vote to protect Green Belt from development in the future.

"The Town Hall’s campaign is a shambles and their claims are unravelling.”

The meeting follows a petition set up by Cllr Brightmore to secretary of state James Brokenshire to 'put a stop' to the Government's housing targets for the borough which has now received more than 2,200 signatures from concerned residents.

Speaking after the meeting, Cllr Brightmore said: "Residents attended in their 100s and I am grateful for their support.

"They shared my anger at Government orders to release our Green Belt to meet Tory housing targets.

"These targets will see our historic towns merge and congested roads become impassable.

"This cannot be permitted to happen.

"It's a Government order and a Tory trick and no one is being fooled.

"I encourage everyone to sign the online petition - https://www.change.org/p/james-brokenshire-stop-the-secretary-of-state-releasing-wirral-s-green-belt - or contact me with their views ASAP so we can ensure local voices are heard.

"Our petition is approaching 2,500 signatures and growing."

Dates for the Local Plan consultation:

September 3, 2018: Wallasey Town Hall, Seacombe

10am, 4.30pm, 7pm

5 September 2018: Floral Pavilion, New Brighton

10am, 4.30pm, 7pm

10 September 2018: Hulme Hall, Bromborough

10am, 4.30pm, 7pm

11 September 2018: Irby Club, Irby

4.30pm, 7pm

18 September 2018: West Kirby Concourse, West Kirby

10am, 4.30pm, 7pm

To attend the events, pre-book via www.wirral.gov.uk/localplan and click ‘Get Involved’.

Paper feedback forms are being delivered to every One Stop Shop, Library and Leisure Centre in the borough for those residents unable to get online.

Residents are also being urged to submit their views in writing to localplan@wirral.gov.uk or Local Plan Consultation, Wallasey Town Hall, CH44 8ED.