Wirral’s Green Party has thrown its support behind proposals for a new wetlands centre near Hoylake they argue could bring millions into the local economy.
The Greens argue that the scheme would help lower the risk of flooding in other parts of the Wirral such as Moreton.
Wirral Green Party Chair, Jane Turner, said "Not only would the wetland centre entail the construction of simple flood management measures, but it would also be a significant local amenity and visitor attraction."
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But a Hoylake councillor, Andrew Gardner, said it’s a “fantasy scheme” and accused the Green Party of not knowing “what they are talking about.”
The idea was first proposed by Hoylake Village Life in 2017 and involves turning flood plains into wetland habitats.
The land is situated on the Hoylake Carrs, sometimes known as Langfields, and sits next to the Hoylake Municipal Golf Course.
According to the Greens, the land, which sits below sea level, was drained by the Victorians to create farmland. Supporters of the scheme say it will prevent flooding further down the River Birket by slowing drainage out of the area.
They argue it could boost tourism in the area pointing to the Martin Mere wetland centre in West Lancashire which attracts over 200,000 visitors each year and brings in over £5 million to the local economy.
The proposed location for the visitor centre is at the end of Carr Lane with other benefits such as the treatment of wastewater, according to the Greens.
However local Hoylake councillor Andrew Gardner does not support the idea, calling it a “greenwash.”
He added: “This is a fantasy scheme. The Green Party do not know what they are talking about. The whole thing is a non-starter and the flood risks could be heightened.”
Cllr Gardner also expressed concerns about the quality of the water as some of the land is situated on an old landfill site. He believes flooding would be made worse because of the scheme because more water would be kept in the area rather than drained.
He also argued money would need to be invested in the scheme, adding that previous proposals for a golf resort included a £5 million investment in flood management, adding, “If you are going to flood the area, you are going to have to create more attenuation.”
The Green Party is arguing however the proposal would reduce flooding risk by slowing water drainage and that funding for the scheme could come from DEFRA grants and other sources.
Ms Turner said: “The Carrs often flood, with the result that the land has limited value for either agriculture or housing. Without a long-term solution, increasingly severe flooding caused by climate change is likely to render much of north Wirral uninsurable in the not-too-distant future.
“The areas worst affected are likely to be those downstream along the River Birket in Leasowe, Moreton and Bidston.”
"We are hopeful that with support from other parties, this excellent proposal will be brought to fruition. We will wish to influence some of the details of the proposal but overall we think it is an excellent solution to the flooding problem whilst contributing greatly to life on the Wirral."
The Greens are planning to campaign on the issue in the council elections in May 2023.
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