Wirral Council struggled to find room as people turned out in their hundreds to oppose plans to build on green belt land.
Ahead of a public session held on Thursday evening, nearly 500 people turned up at a public hearing over plans by Leverhulme Estates to build on Wirral’s greenbelt. The hearing was held in Wallasey Town Hall's Civic Hall due to huge numbers in attendance, with a spill-out room and balcony seating made available last minute.
As a 17-day inquiry continues, the Planning Inspectorate, a government agency that deals with planning appeals, is considering evidence from Wirral Council, Leverhulme Estates, members of the public and councillors.
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Leverhulme wants to build more than 1,000 homes across the countryside in the first stage of its plans to build nearly 8,000 homes on the Wirral. However all its planning applications have so far been rejected by Wirral Council after fierce public opposition.
The company has now appealed the rejection of seven applications for 788 homes. The decision to reject an eighth planning application for 240 homes near Greasby has not been appealed yet, with Leverhulme focusing on the first seven.
The public at the hearing described Wirral’s greenbelt as “picturesque farmland” that was “a resource for all Wirral residents” and accused Leverhulme of a “cash grab.” Thousands have signed petitions against the plans.
All local political parties on the council also oppose the plans, arguing they would undermine regeneration projects in Birkenhead and harm Wirral's environment and countryside. Leverhulme have argued this would not happen.
Leverhulme have also said their homes would provide deliverable and sustainable homes as well as "the creation of new cycleways and footpaths and the significant enhancement of biodiversity and habitats", and would provide many economic and social benefits for the Wirral.
Public evidence heard by the Planning Inspectorate on June 8 against the plans included reports of archaeological findings, drone footage of the Wirral countryside, and comments from Wirral West MP Margaret Greenwood.
Speakers even said there was evidence of humans being on the Wirral as far back as 10,000 years ago and of a Roman road running through one of the sites.
The prices of the proposed homes were brought up several times, with people arguing they would be "well out of reach of most of the peoiple in this room" and that the Wirral does not need "a London-style development."
Councillors also argued the greenbelt development was not needed, pointing to Wirral’s population only growing by 417 people in the last census and council proposals to build nearly 14,000 homes on brownfield land.
Wirral Council leader Paul Stuart said: “We are not building on greenbelt when we have a very viable alternative of building on brownfield land,” adding: “Building on the greenbelt is not needed nor wanted in Wirral.”
Cllr Helen Cameron also spoke against an application in her ward, saying the countryside lanes around Raby Mere could not support more development, with one bend described locally as “chicken corner” that she said “takes on a whole new meaning if you attempt to go right here.”
She added: “It should become clear this area cannot sustain any more development,” adding the greenbelt “should be cherished not exploited. We should leave the greenbelt intact for the many varied benefits for future generations.”
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