West Kirby allotment plan hit shed planning permission stumbling block

May 26 2010 by Lorna Hughes, Birkenhead News

A CAMPAIGN for an allotment site in West Kirby has hit a stumbling block after it emerged gardeners could have to apply for planning permission for sheds and greenhouses.

The Transition Town West Kirby group has been in talks with Wirral Council to turn empty land behind Coronation Buildings into the community space.

The land is owned by Wirral Council, which has been supportive of the bid to turn it into an allotment.

The News understands the bizarre requirement relates to its current designation as agricultural land within the greenbelt.

Supporters say they are baffled.

Margaret Campbell of Transition Town West Kirby said: “The council has agreed in principle to lease this land to us. It’s designated as agricultural land and it belongs to the council.

“Its last use was for grazing horses.

“Because it’s agricultural land it doesn’t need permission for change of use.

“But before they agree to give us the lease they want to look at whether we would need planning permission for sheds and greenhouses.

“None of the other allotment sites in Wirral have to apply for planning permission and no-one has really explained to us why we’re the only allotment site that would need it.