Liscard to receive “local” planning powers

Sep 7 2011 by Liam Murphy, Wallasey News

A WIRRAL town centre has become the latest area to be given new powers to influence development in its area under radical government reform of planning laws.

Liscard Central will become one of the first areas in which neighbourhood planning will allow residents to shape their own vision for their community.

As well as deciding the locations of shops, offices and schools, they will also be able to set standards of design for new housing and protect green spaces.

Liscard councillor Bernie Mooney said the new powers will give “more of a say to residents”, adding: “Thi shas got to be beneficial to the area.”

She also paid tribute to the work of residents association chairman David Hale, who has pushed for Liscard families to be given the new powers. She said: “This has taken years of hard work.”

Central Liscard Area Residents Association (CLARA) is working on a neighbourhood development plan focused on Liscard town centre to address its viability and reverse its decline, considering the social, economic and environmental needs of the community.

Liscard follows Hoylake and Devonshire Park, in Birkenhead, in being given extra local powers to influence planning and development.

Mr Hale, chairman of CLARA, said: “We are doing well in Wirral now, having three areas, and we hope there will be more.”

Cllr Phil Davies, cabinet member for regeneration and planning strategy, added: “I look forward to working closely with them to help them deliver what the community really wants for the area.”

The areas are among the first to test out the new power being introduced in the government’s Localism Bill.

In areas where people want to see homes and businesses built, neighbourhood planning will allow communities to grant a blanket planning permission for development to go ahead without developers having to make separate applications.

The community has the final say on whether a neighbourhood plan comes into force. If more than 50% of people voting in a local referendum support the plan, then the local planning authority must bring it into force.