Leverhulme wants to build more than 780 homes on green belt land in Wirral.
The estate owns thousands of acres of land, including Brimstage Hall Farm and residential and commercial properties across Wirral. Its founders were behind the development of Port Sunlight.
But now, Leverhulme has submitted seven planning applications to Wirral Council to deliver homes in what it calls “beautiful and sustainable communities”. The homes, which will be built across sites in South Wirral and West Wirral if the council approves the plans, have attracted strong opposition locally.
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An online petition launched at the end of last year, after Leverhulme released some details of its plans, has gained 4,025 signatures at the time of writing. Under the proposal, Leverhulme would build up to 788 new homes, homes it claims will be environmentally friendly and are much needed.
Leverhulme said respondents to a consultation it ran wanted more green spaces, play areas, wildlife corridors and footpaths, all of which are at the heart of Leverhulme’s developments.
Nigel McGurk, head of land and planning for Leverhulme, said: “The submission of our planning applications is the next step in delivering a much-needed range of new homes and providing new access to, and enhancing the benefits of, Wirral’s countryside.
“This follows on from the recent consultation and the earlier publication in 2021 of The Leverhulme Vision document which detailed how our proposals would make a positive difference to the lives of people in Wirral. National planning policy promotes high quality design and the creation of beautiful and sustainable communities together with the enhancement of green space and the natural environment.”
Leverhulme said its plans will deliver cycleways and footpaths, enhanced biodiversity and habitats, as well as “bespoke architecture”, drawing inspiration from places like Port Sunlight and Thornton Hough. Making the case for the application, Mr McGurk added: “Even in the last couple of weeks, the government has talked about the pressing need for new housing to contribute to beautiful communities.
“The plans submitted by Leverhulme achieve all these principles alongside other critical criteria in a viable and deliverable way. The Leverhulme Vision provides for reinvestment directly back into long-lasting beautiful places where people want to live and Leverhulme is in a unique position to deliver this.”
The seven applications are:
- A 0.82-hectare site located to the north of Gills Lane in Pensby, between Thorncroft Drive and Gills Lane Farm and stables. To provide up to 15 new homes.
- A 7.35-hectare site located to the north of Gills Lane in Pensby and to the west of Barnston Road. To provide up to 153 new homes.
- A 3.92-hectare site located a short distance from the local centre of Pensby Road, Pensby. It sits to the north of Gills Lane, between the existing residential streets of Dale View Close, Gwendoline Close and Thorncroft Drive. To provide up to 92 new homes.
- A 17.38-hectare site located to the north of Thingwall Drive, to the east of Glenwood Drive and to the west of Arrowe Park, Irby. To provide up to 290 new homes.
- A 3.60-hectare site located to the north of Raby Hall Road between the Autism Together complex and the residential neighbourhood on Blakeley Road at the edge of Bromborough. To provide up to 80 new homes.
- A 3.30-hectare site located to the north of Raby Hall Road, with built development proposed to the west of Raby Hall and a footpath link to the east. To provide up to 38 new homes.
- A 8.36-hectare site located to the west of Barnston Road and north of Milner Road within easy walking distance of Heswall town centre and Heswall railway station. To provide up to 120 new homes.
Looking at housing needs across the borough, Mr McGurk added: “The proposed developments have been designed to meet local requirements and aspirations. Our plans will not only deliver on Wirral’s significant outstanding need to meet the area’s market and affordable housing requirements but will do so in a way that enhances the built and natural environment.
“Leverhulme is synonymous with sustainable development, long-term stewardship, a commitment to health and wellbeing and sustained reinvestment into place. Wirral needs new homes – it is imperative that they are delivered in an exceptional manner.”
