Major plans for Hoylake, which include an overhaul of the town’s promenade, have been put forward.
Hoylake Vision, a community forum based in the Wirral town, has put a series of plans out to residents, including electric vehicle charging points and improved accessibility at the promenade, plus the possibility of a Wildfowl and Wetlands Centre to the east of the Carr Lane area, giving people access to nature. The group, made up of more than 160 volunteer residents and businesses, is seeking local people’s views on its ideas and asking them to contribute their own.
Mark Howard, chair of the forum’s management group, said that with the support of the community the group's plans could attract investment in future, as well as creating jobs and "making Hoylake an even better place to live, work and visit". Mr Howard added the group was determined to do more to reach out to residents in a new round of consultations.
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Mr Howard said: “People can be assured that nothing will happen that does not have clear evidence of broad community support. I hope everyone will take this chance to have their say because this is really important.
"Through the NDP (Neighbourhood Development Plan) we have an opportunity to ensure a vibrant, sustainable and exciting future for generations to come.” Following an earlier consultation round in 2020, the forum has reopened an online community engagement website, and is inviting residents to bring forward more ideas which will inform an update to the Hoylake NDP.
Mr Howard added: “The whole thrust of the emerging Neighbourhood Development Plan (NDP) is to allow residents and businesses to have much greater influence on future decisions around any change; when it happens and what it looks like, rather than simply leaving all decision making subject to ‘one size fits all’ policies of the council.
"It is important to point out that making a plan is an extremely rigorous process. Once prepared, the renewed draft NDP is subject to further review and a six-week statutory public consultation, followed by an independent examination and finally another referendum. It must also be supported by a consultation statement which records all consultation responses.”
Residents can have their say on the plans here.
