Wirral Council has launched a consultation with two options for the future management of Hoylake beach.
The new beach management plan was meant to be in place in April last year, but has been delayed as the council has looked to find a compromise following a heated debate over whether it should be left to nature or raked.
The local authority says that the fundamental consideration in developing the new Hoylake Beach Management Plan is the “life-saving operations of the RNLI and their ability to continue to launch and operate from the Hoylake foreshore”.
The two options are:
‘Access for All’ – proposes the removal of 1.92 hectares of vegetation primarily around the RNLI lifeboat station, but also including the slipways at King’s Gap, Alderley Road, and Trinity Road; a 10m wide strip along the seawall from Clydesdale Road to King’s Gap extending around the Alderley Road slipway and Trinity Road steps and a 10m wide cleared strip from King’s Gap through the vegetation to the sandy beach.
’Amenity Beach’ – proposes the removal of just over 3 hectares of vegetation, similar to the ‘Access for All’ option, but with a larger area of ‘amenity’ beach being provided towards Trinity Road.
Both options being put forward include proposals for differing levels of vegetation removal in order that some amenity space can be retained at the beach and that safe access can be provided for the RNLI for their life-saving operations.
Information will also be available to view in person at Hoylake Community Centre on consecutive Tuesdays – 27 February and 5 March, between 9am and 6pm in the mini hall.
The online survey residents should complete to say which their preferred option is on the consultation website. The closing date for submissions is 25 March 2024.
A report, including feedback on the consultation, will go to the Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport Committee meeting due in April 2024.
Both options remain subject to further detailed Habitat Regulation Assessments (HRAs) and other evidential reports pending assent from Natural England.