Green Belt 7: developers 0, as Leverhulme fails again

Thursday, 14 September, 2023

Local News

News that all seven appeals by Leverhulme Estates to build on Wirral's Green Belt have failed has been welcomed by Conservative Councillors in the Wallasey constituency.

The independent Planning Inspectorate upheld the decision of Wirral's Planning Committee to reject the applications, following wide spread anger at the plans.

Back in 2018, when Labour had majority control of the Council, their Cabinet secretly backed plans to build on swathes of the Borough's Green Belt, including farmland between Saughall Massie, Greasby and Meols.

As a result, Labour lost the 2019 council elections, enabling long-delayed work on the Borough's Local Plan to start soon after.

Speaking after the Inspectorate's verdict today, Councillor Jeff Green, Leader of Wirral's Conservatives, said:

“The concern among Wirral residents, and the cost to the taxpayer of these appeals, could have been entirely avoided had the Council adopted a Local Plan at any time since 2004. Had it not been for the tireless work of the campaigners, and council officers, much of Wirral would soon be lost under bricks and mortar.

“Those councillors who, back in 2018, secretly voted to consent to some of these sites for development should be thoroughly ashamed of their actions.

“At the same time I hope that Leverhulme Estates, and indeed any potential developer, will finally get the message – our Borough’s Green Belt is not an asset to appear on your balance sheet. Instead, the Council will work with you, but in the parts of the Borough that need regeneration and where people want to live.”

One of those who has welcomed today's decision is Councillor Vida Wilson - a member of the Saughall Massie Conservation Area Society, seen here with colleagues Gary Bennett and Colin Baldwin:

"While these seven applications would have directly affected areas such as Greasby, Pensby and Heswall, the refusal to uphold the appeal is a good sign that our opposition to 1,000 houses around Saughall Massie is justified.

"If the three developers seeking to build here had any sense, they would withdraw their counter proposals to the draft Local Plan and, instead, work with the Council and the Government to redevelop the run down and neglected areas in our Borough."

Three times Labour has proved they can't be trusted with Wirral's Green Belt:

November 2016: Labour Councillors vote to build on Saughall Massie's Green Belt (Wirral Globe)
April 2019: Labour Councillors vote to build on Green Belt (Liverpool Echo)
May 2023: Labour will build on Green Belt to boost housing, says Starmer (Sky News)

Tell us your views on issues in Moreton and Saughall Massie:

If you could suggest anything, what do you think would make the biggest difference for Moreton and Saughall Massie?

What is the top issue in your neighbourhood?

How do you rate the overall performance of Wirral Council?

OPINION POLL: Thinking about the ELECTION OF A LOCAL COUNCILLOR, which Party would you support next time? On the scale of 0-10, 0 means there is no chance of voting for the party and 10 means you would be certain to vote for the party

Questions	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
Labour Party	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
Liberal Democrats	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
Local Conservatives	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
Brexit Party	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
Independent	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
Green	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10

On the scale of 0-10, 0 means there would be no chance of you voting for the party and 10 means you would be absolutely certain to vote for the party.

Can you help our campaign in Moreton and Saughall Massie?

Delivering local newsletters on local issues

Lend a hand by delivering 100-150 of our local newsletters (3-4 times a year) in your area or elsewhere in the community

Taking part in our monthly litter picks

Each month from 2024 we'll be getting together for an hour or so to tackle a local litter grot spot

Chipping in to the local campaign fund with a donation

Or use online banking to 'Wallasey Conservative Association', Sort code: 09-01-54 and account number: 00424487 (reference = your postcode)

Becoming a Conservative candidate

We're looking to recruit local champions to represent their community in the Town Hall and help tackle local issues

Preferred title:

First name

Last name

Address

Postcode

Phone

I would like to be kept up-to-date by the Conservatives on future issues that matter to me: There will be an easy way to opt out of future messages. For more information on how we handle your data and your rights, please see our Privacy Policy.

Your contact details are used in accordance with our Data Collection and Use policy. By clicking "Submit" you agree to your email address being used in accordance with that policy. We will not share your details with anyone outside the Conservative Party.

You may also be interested in

Save Saughall Massie's Green Belt

Join our new Facebook group Help us deliver some newsletters on this issue Tell the Government your views Our green spaces, whether in the urban areas around Wallasey, or the Green Belt around Moreton and Saughall Massie, are under threat. For 18 years, Wirral Council failed to produce a legally

Cllr. Vida Wilson

Local Conservative Councillor for Moreton West & Saughall Massie

Re-elected in May 2023 with an increased vote

Council appointee to the Saughall Massie Conservation Area Advisory Committee

Help our campaignBecome a memberBe a councillorVida is one of our three local Conservative councillors in Moreton West & Saughall Massie, working with Gary Bennett and Colin Baldwin.Vida first became involved in local politics with Chris Blakeley, fighting to save Fender Farm.First ele

Moreton West & Saughall Massie

Help our campaignBecome a memberBe a councillorWhat's the most important issue in your community? Whatever needs changing in your neighbourhood, you can help to deliver it by taking part in the survey below.Your local councillors Colin Baldwin, Gary Bennett and Vida Wilson are already