Wirral Council has opened the first formal stage of preparing a new Local Plan, inviting residents, community groups and businesses to help determine how the borough will develop over the coming decades. The consultation focuses on a Scoping Report that outlines the principal issues the plan will address and explains how the council proposes to engage with local communities during the process.
What the consultation covers and how to take part
The current stage runs until 5pm on Thursday 6 August. Responses are being collected via the council’s Placemaker engagement platform; interested parties must register on the site to view the full Scoping Report and submit comments. Support is available through the council’s Local Plan team at localplan@wirral.gov.uk.
- Consultation period: until 5pm on 6 August
- Call for Sites: separate submission window remains open until 5pm on Friday 24 July
- How to respond: register on Placemaker and submit comments; email localplan@wirral.gov.uk for assistance
Council perspective and statutory context
Councillor Mark Skillicorn, chair of the council’s economy, regeneration and housing committee, said the exercise was a chance for a wide range of voices to shape the borough’s future, underlining the importance of early engagement. The new Local Plan is being prepared under the Government's updated planning system introduced in March, which requires a revised approach to plan-making even though the current Local Plan was adopted only last year.
"This is an important opportunity for local people, businesses and organisations to help shape Wirral’s future,"
The council emphasises that a Local Plan provides the vision for growth, investment priorities and the basis for planning decisions. Early input will inform what issues the plan should prioritise and how land and resources are used across the borough.
Practical information and next steps
Residents who want to take part should note the two concurrent windows of engagement: the Scoping Report consultation to 6 August and the Call for Sites to 24 July. The council has stated it will use feedback from both exercises to refine options and shape subsequent stages of plan preparation.
| Item | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Scoping Report consultation | 5pm, 6 August |
| Call for Sites submissions | 5pm, 24 July |
The council has directed residents to its 'Have Your Say Wirral' webpage for further information on current consultations. Those without online access can contact the Local Plan team by email for assistance viewing materials and submitting responses.
Preparing a new Local Plan is a significant local statutory process: it determines where homes, jobs, infrastructure and green spaces are located and how development is managed. For Wirral residents, businesses and community groups this consultation represents an early and important opportunity to influence those strategic choices.
