Plans to build more than 240 homes have on Wirral's countryside have been submitted.
The proposed homes would be built on land east of Rigby Drive near Greasby next to Appleby’s Farm. Developer Leverhulme Estate said it would provide 72 affordable homes and a mix of family homes, flats and bungalows.
The development would also feature a community park as well as walking and cycling routes with 25% “new accessible, public green and open space.” Leverhulme also say they will plan new woodland, grassland habitats and hedgerows.
READ MORE: Two libraries saved as council moves to let community groups take over
These are the first details on the application which was already public knowledge but had not yet been submitted.
It is the eighth housing application submitted by Leverhulme this year and ninth overall. In total the developer hopes to build more than 1,000 homes across west Wirral.
The plans have been heavily opposed by all local political parties and several action groups. 4,500 people have signed petitions to say the homes are unnecessary with plenty of space available for new homes in places like Birkenhead.
Six applications have already been rejected without going to committee and a seventh is recommended for rejection on October 27. An application for a new green space is still being considered but Leverhulme will have the right to appeal any decisions.
Leverhulme said that a consultation for the Greasby scheme found that 62% of people felt there was a need for new housing, green spaces, and play areas in Wirral that Leverhulme believe they can deliver.
Nigel McGurk, Head of Land and Planning for Leverhulme, said: “There is a requirement in Wirral for a broad mix of new homes to cater for all needs and Leverhulme is best placed to deliver this in a sustainable, responsible way.
“The Leverhulme Vision has been developed over several years and follows a rigorous process of creating communities which are beautiful but also economically and environmentally resilient, something that has never been more urgent than today.”
Gail Jenkinson, a Labour activist opposed to the applications, told the Liverpool Echo in June: “The development could do untold damage to sensitive environments. We just don’t know what the long term impact of these developments are going to be."
Councillor Mike Collins, who represents Pensby and Thingwall, told the ECHO he has repeatedly asked for Leverhulme to meet with residents.
He said: “At the end of the day whatever happens they need to understand what residents of Wirral want and the effect the applications have had on them.”
He criticised the use of web-based consultations by Leverhulme. He said: “there are lots of people who do not use online consultations and Leverhulme should have the ability to meet with residents. All developers need to be talking to people and not making assumptions on what the residents want.
“Are we going to destroy agricultural land for houses we do not need in places we do not need for short sighted gains?”
READ NEXT:
Young woman told headaches were anxiety before she Googled symptoms
Family run sex shop want to 'bring joy to adults' lives' in
Liverpool
Thousands of messages of support for family of 'lovely' boy who died aged 15
Rare 50p coin sells for £165 with thousands more out there
Santander issues warning to bank account holders
Concerns over wellbeing of people living in one part of Merseyside
