Purpose

This report seeks approval for the Council to
adopt the Wirral Interim Approach to Avoid and Mitigate
Recreational Disturbance as a material consideration in the
determination of planning applications. The approach provides a
mechanism to fund measures, through a tariff on new housing
development of 10 or more units, to avoid and mitigate disturbance
to birds from human activity on the internationally designated
foreshores around the Wirral coast arising from additional visits
to the coast generated by new housing development. The Wirral
Interim approach forms part of a wider Liverpool City Region
Recreational Management Strategy (LCR RMS) initiative to tackle
this issue. The Wirral Interim approach has been produced as an
interim measure due to delays in implementing the LCR RMS, which is
expected to come into force in 2024.
 
The Wirral Interim approach document was
published in draft alongside the Submission Draft Wirral Local Plan
2021-2037 in July 2022 and is in the Local Plan Examination Library
as document reference ECC27. The LCR RMS will be implemented
through a joint Supplementary Planning Document, and the draft
scoping document (currently out to consultation) is appended to
this report for noting. The Local Plan will support all five themes
of the Wirral Plan 2021-26: Inclusive Economy, Safe & Pleasant
Communities, Sustainable Environment, Brighter Futures and Active
& Healthy Lives.

Decision

Resolved
–  that
 
 
1. 
the adoption of the Wirral Interim Approach to Avoid and
Mitigate Recreational Pressure Document as a material consideration
in the determination of planning applications be approved.

 
2. 
periodic updates be received by this Committee  on the Interim Approach to Avoid and Mitigate
Recreational Pressures and its implementation be reviewed on an
annual basis in consultation with the Chair and Spokespersons of
the Committee