Residents in a newly extended conservation area around West Kirby have set up a petition calling for the withdrawal of its recent expansion, claiming they were not consulted.
An appraisal over the new management plan for the area around Meols Drive took place last year – the first since it was introduced more than 20 years ago.
It affords additional protections and homeowners need planning permission for some physical alternations and permission to demolish structures over a certain size without prior consent from the council.
It now additionally includes Drummond Road, Stanley Road, Coronation Road, Morpeth Road, Airlie Road, Lingdale Road, Graham Road (pictured, top) and Eddisbury Road.
The roads were added as they were “considered to contribute to the legibility of the historic street pattern and architectural influences within the area”.
But some people living in the newly expanded areas say they didn’t receive letters inviting them to contribute to the consultation. A report accompanying the decision says “all properties within and surrounding the existing and proposed extended conservation were notified by letter”, and that 23 responses were received.
The petition states: “We formally object to the extension of the Meols Drive Conservation Area on the basis of what we believe to be a deeply flawed consultation process.
“The failure to properly notify and engage with affected residents in our opinion raises serious concerns about the integrity and validity of the process.”
The petitioners also question why some of the properties have been included when they have had uPVC windows and doors and plastic guttering fitted, which they believe raises “questions about suitability and rationale for their inclusion”.
One resident told us that the issue is not about whether the extension is required, but what they believe is a failure by the council to follow due process during the consultation.
The issue was raised at the AGM of Hoylake Conservation Areas last weekend, which was also attended by the council’s heritage officer. West Kirby Today understands that an offer was made to hold a further meeting to explain the implications of being within the boundary.
Wirral Council has been approached for comment.
The petition can be found here: https://democracy.wirral.gov.uk/mgEPetitionDisplay.aspx?id=50000048