Wirral Council’s decision to throw out a proposal to build 39 homes on land in West Kirby which is designated to become protected green space is being taken to appeal.
The trustees of Greenfield Estate on Grange Road have asked the Planning Inspectorate to make a decision over their plan for the site known as the Sheep Field, which is earmarked to be safeguarded from development under the new Local Plan.
The council rejected the scheme earlier this year, concluding it “would form a visually obtrusive feature within the streetscene which would impact on existing open views on to and across the site, as well as existing views onto the estuary and beyond”.
In their decision notice, they added: “The resulting loss of the existing green space within this otherwise urban setting, would be harmful to the character of the surrounding area. As such the development would form inappropriate development on an area of visual importance to the locality and the wider area and have a detrimental impact upon the townscape and character of the area.”
The local authority also believed that granting the scheme permission would undermine the process of putting together the Local Plan by “predetermining a decision about development on a locally prominent and significant site at the entrance to West Kirby, which would significantly affect the character and setting of the town, on a site that is not currently needed to provide for the future housing land supply”.
Other reasons given for refusal were insufficient evidence of the presence or absence of a protected species, and the lack of an agreement over affordable housing as part of the development.
Objectors had raised concerns about a range of issues including the loss of open space, traffic congestion and the impact on the wider area.
When they submitted the application, consultants Emery Planning said they had made a number of changes, including reducing the number of units and creating areas of open space within the development.
Comments on the appeal can be made at https://acp.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/ViewCase.aspx?CaseID=3318758&CoID=0.