Planning mistake delays decision on £4.5bn Wirral Waters scheme

Aug 12 2009 by Liam Murphy, Birkenhead News

COUNCILLORS on Wirral’s planning committee were furious last week after a mistake meant a decision on the biggest scheme in the borough’s history had to be deferred.

The planning committee meeting at Wallasey town hall had been due to consider the Peel Developments application for the first major element of the £4.5bn Wirral Waters project.

But minutes before the meeting it became apparent that an objection on behalf of Warner Estate Holdings, the owners of The Grange and The Pyramids shopping centres in Birkenhead, had not been properly taken into account in the planning documents.

It was decided that to avoid any future objection on this basis that the committee be adjourned.

This means it will be considered tomorrow, Thursday, when the committee will also consider the Neptune scheme in New Brighton.

Before the 10-minute meeting was adjourned, Labour Cllr Ron Abbey asked the chairman of the committee to confirm that the error lay not with elected members but officers who had prepared the report on the scheme.

And Liberal Democrat Dave Mitchell also expressed surprise that the objection had not been fully taken into account.

The 21-page document, plus appendices, prepared on behalf of Warner said they consider that “the future vitality and viability of Birkenhead town centre is being placed under serious threat” by the Wirral Waters plans.

The objection specifically urged the council to resist the retail element of the Peel masterplan for the Birkenhead dockland area.

Holding a copy of the objection papers, Cllr Mitchell said: “How a document this size has not been picked up astounds me,” and asked for a comment from the planning officer present.

However, despite being invited to respond, the officer declined.

After the meeting the chairman of the committee, Cllr David Elderton, said it had been frustrating. However, he had agreed to the deferment to ensure transparency.