This page provides further information on the designations in the Wirral Unitary Development Plan that may be identified in the response to a local search.
The Unitary Development Plan is the Council's Statutory land-use plan for the Borough and was adopted in February 2000. Although the policies and proposals in the UDP are the starting point in determining any planning application, it is not the only consideration and decisions may be influenced by national and regional planning policy, supplementary planning documents and other strategies, particularly where these have been adopted as Council policy.
The UDP will be replaced in due course by the Local Development Framework, and progress on bringing forward these new-style planning documents can be monitored on the following web site www.wirral.gov.uk/ldf
The following information is correct as at 25th October 2006.
Allotments
Allotments are listed under Proposal GR4 (Allotments to be Protected from Development) and shown on the Proposals Map as GR4/1, GR4/2 etc). Planning Policy for Allotments is set out in Policy GR3 (The Protection of Allotments).
Area of Special Landscape Value
Areas of Special Landscape Value are primarily designated for their scenic importance within the Borough. They are listed under Proposal LA2 (Areas of Special Landscape Value) and subject to protection under Proposal LA1 (Protection for Areas of Special Landscape Value).
Area Requiring Landscape Renewal
Areas requiring landscape renewal are areas of degraded landscape where proposals which will result in positive improvements to the area will be generally supported, subject to the criteria set out in Policy LA3 (Priorities for Areas Requiring Landscape Renewal).
Birkenhead Central Bus Facility
Proposal TR4 identifies land in Birkenhead for a new bus facility - this has now been constructed on Claughton Road, adjacent to Birkenhead Market.
Coastal Zone
Policy COA1 provides for the identification of an the area along the Borough's Coastline, shown on the Proposals Map, which is subject to Policy CO1 (Development Within the Developed Coastal Zone) and Policy CO2 (Development within the Undeveloped Coastal Zone). Additional advice is provided in Policies CO3 - CO8.
To view these policies see: Coastal Zone topic
Conservation Area
Conservation Areas are identified and designated by the Local Planning Authority as areas that have special architectural or historic interest. The overall planning framework is set out in Policy CH2 (Development Affecting Conservation Areas) and Policy CH3 (Demolition Control within Conservation Areas), while the features of greatest significance for each Conservation Area are set out in Policies CH4 to CH23. To view these policies see: Heritage and Conservation
Countryside Recreation Site
These sites are listed under Policy TL11 (Development at Countryside Recreation Sites) and are established locations for Countryside Recreation in the Borough. The Policy allows for re-use and small-scale development at these sites subject to criteria. Site-specific proposals are identified in Proposal TL12 and Proposal TL13.
Density and Design Guidelines Area
Policy HS5 (Density and Design Guidelines) identifies seven residential areas of the Borough (shown on the Proposals Maps as HS5/1, HS5/2 etc) where specific planning controls on the density and type of new housing development apply. Most of these areas are further sub-divided into zones where different controls apply: these are identified on the Proposals Map as HS5/1/1, HS5/1/2 etc.
Dock Estate
This indicates on the Proposals Map the operational port areas at Birkenhead/Wallasey Docks and Eastham at the time the UDP was adopted. Policy EM10 indicates which policies in the UDP will apply to any future development within the Dock Estate which falls within the scope of the Planning System.
Employment Development Site
Policy EMP1 provides for the identification of sites within the Borough for employment development. Proposal EM3 (Land for General Employment Use) lists the specific sites that the Local Planning Authority has allocated for employment development (shown on the Proposals Map as EM3/1, EM3/2 etc). Development proposals on these sites are subject to Policies EM6, EM7 and EM9.
The former Cammell Laird shipyard is identified in Proposal EM1 and Conway Park is EM2: a different mix of uses is considered appropriate on these sites.
Green Belt
Policy GBT1 provides for the designation of an area of Green Belt in Wirral, intended to prevent urban sprawl, prevent towns merging into one another and promote Urban Regeneration. Development within the Green Belt is subject to Policy GB2 (Guidelines for Development in the Green Belt), with further advice provided by Policies GB3 to GB11.
To view these policies see: Green Belt
Greenspace
Policy GRE1 provides for the protection of public open space and other land with amenity value in the Borough. These areas are listed under Proposal GR2 (Land designated as Urban Greenspace) and shown on the Proposals Map as GR2/1, GR2/2 etc. Development within areas designated as Greenspace is subject to Policy GR1 (The Protection of Urban Greenspace).
To view these policies see: Urban Greenspace
Heswall Drainage Catchment Area
Policy WA7 sets out the approach to development within the catchment area shown on the Proposals Map. The necessary improvements to Target Road Sewage Works have now been carried out.
Historic Park or Garden
Policy CH26 (The Preservation of Historic Parks and Gardens) seeks to ensure that Historic Parks and Gardens within Wirral (where identified on the English Heritage register of Parks and Gardens of Historic Interest in England) are protected from inappropriate development.
Housing Development Site
Proposal HS1 (Land allocated for Residential Development) lists sites which are allocated for new housing development (shown on the Proposals Map as HS1/1, HS1/2 etc). Most of these sites have now been completed. Policies HS2 and HS3 provide additional policy advice to two specific sites which have now been completed. In all cases, new housing development is subject to Policy HS4 (Criteria for New Housing Development)
Infill Village
see: Green Belt
Proposal GB7 (Infill Villages in the Green Belt) lists those villages (shown on the Proposals Maps as GB7/1 etc) within which new infill development will be subject to Policy GB6 (Development in Infill Villages in the Green Belt)
Key Town Centre
Policy SH1 lists the Borough's main town centres, their boundaries are defined on the Proposals Maps and are given the notation SH1/1, SH1/2 etc. Policy SH1 allows for retail and other town centre uses within the centres subject to the criteria included in the policy.
Major Developed Site
Proposal GB9 (Major Developed Sites in the Green Belt) lists a number of sites (shown on the Proposals Maps as GB9/1, GB9/2 etc) within the Green Belt where development will be subject to Policy GB8 (Guidelines for Major Development in the Green Belt).
Major Highway Scheme
Proposal TR5 (Major Highway Schemes) lists a number of major highway schemes (shown on the Proposals Map as TR5/1,TR5/2 etc) for implementation during the UDP period, subject to satisfying the criteria in Policy TR8 (Criteria for the Design of Highway Schemes).
Mineral Reserve
Policy MI1 (The Control of Clay Extraction) relates to the reserves of winnable clay located at Carr Lane, Moreton (shown on the Proposals Map as MI1).
Minor Highway Improvement
Proposal TR6 (Minor Highway Schemes) lists a number of minor highway schemes for implementation during the UDP period, subject to satisfying the criteria in Policy TR8 (Criteria for the Design of Highway Schemes).
Minor Junction Improvement
Proposal TR6 (Minor Highway Schemes) lists a number of minor junction improvements for implementation during the UDP period, subject to satisfying the criteria in Policy TR8 (Criteria for the Design of Highway Schemes).
New or Extended Railway Car Park
Proposal TR3 (New or Extended Railway Car Parks) lists a number of railway stations where land is reserved for new or extended car parks.
New Park and Ride Facility
Proposal TR2 (New Park and Ride Facilities) lists a number of railway stations where land is reserved for major park and ride facilities.
New Railway Station
Proposal TR1 (New Railway Stations) lists a number of sites where land is reserved for new railway stations, both on the Merseyrail network and the Bidston-Wrexham Borderlands line.
Out of Centre Retail Development
A number of existing out of centre retail developments are identified on the Proposals Maps as SH11. Policy SH11 (The Expansion of Out-of-Centre Retail Developments) indicates that proposals for the redevelopment of such sites would be subject to Policies SH9 and SH10 which are concerned with the assessment of new out of centre retail development.
To view these policies see: Shopping
Primarily Commercial Area
A number of areas within or adjacent to town centres are designated as Primarily Commercial Areas (shown on the Proposals Maps as SH6). Policy SH6 (Development within Primarily Commercial Areas) indicates that a number of retail and other town centre uses are appropriate within these areas, subject to the criteria set out in the policy.
Primarily Industrial Area
The majority of industrial areas of the Borough are designated as Primarily Industrial Areas. Within these areas Policy EM8 (Development within Primarily Industrial Areas) indicates that business, general industrial and warehousing uses (together with the extension of existing businesses) are acceptable subject to the criteria in Policies EM6 and EM7.
To view these policies see: Economy and Employment
Primarily Residential Area
Much of the built up area of the Borough is designated as a Primarily Residential Area. New development within these areas is subject to Policy HS4 (Criteria for New Housing Development) and HS15 (Non-Residential Uses in Primarily Residential Areas), together with other policies as appropriate. Proposals to extend existing dwellings will be assessed against the criteria in Policy HS11, which aims to ensure that extensions are designed in such a way as to have no significantly adverse effect on the appearance of the original property, the amenities of neighbouring properties, particularly through overlooking. The Council is presently operating restrictions on new housing development in some parts of the Borough, which is set out in an Interim Housing Policy adopted in October 2005.
To view these policies see: Housing
Proposed Cycle Route
Proposal TR10 (Cycle Routes) identifies and safeguards a number of cycle routes for development during the UDP Plan period (identified on the Proposals Maps as TR10/1, TR10/2 etc).
Proposed Tramway
Proposal TR5 (Major Highway Schemes) identifies a proposed Tramway from Woodside to Conway Park (shown on the Proposals Map as TR5/3)
Proposed Visitor Facility
Proposed or enhanced visitor facilities at Countryside Recreation sites are identified in Proposal TL12 (North Wirral Coastal Park), Proposal TL13 (Royden Park) and NC9 (Dibbinsdale) and identified on the Proposals Maps as TL12, TL13 and NC9.
Rail Corridor Environmental Improvement
Proposal TR7 (Transport Corridor Environmental Improvements) identifies a number of railway routes that are proposed for environmental improvement schemes (shown on the Proposals Maps as TR7/1, TR7/2 and TR7/3). Works within these corridors are confined to the operational land of the rail network.
Recreation Development Site
Proposal RE2 (Land for New Recreation Facilities) and Proposal RE4 (New Neighbourhood Swimming Pool, Beechwood) identify sites for new recreation facilities (shown on the Proposals Maps as RE2/1, RE2/2 etc and RE4).
Road Corridor Environmental Improvement
Proposal TR7 TR7 (Transport Corridor Environmental Improvements) identifies a number of road corridors that are proposed for environmental improvement schemes (shown on the Proposals Maps as TR7/1, TR7/2 etc).
Scheduled Ancient Monument
Policy CH24 (Development Affecting Scheduled Ancient Monuments) provides protection for a number of sites (shown on the Proposals Maps as CH24/1, CH24/2 etc) which are Scheduled Ancient Monuments for the purposes of Section 1 of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979.
School Playing Field
Policy RE7 (Criteria for the Protection of School Playing Fields) sets out criteria for the development of School Playing Fields, if they have been declared surplus to educational requirements.
Site of Biological or Earth Science Importance
Proposal NC6 (Sites of Biological Importance) lists sites of special local importance for nature conservation (shown on the Proposals Maps as NC6/1, NC6/2 etc). Proposals affecting such sites are subject to the requirements of Policy NC5 (The Protection of Sites of Local Importance for Nature Conservation). Proposal NC11 (Sites of Local Importance for Earth Science) lists sites of local importance for earth science (shown on the Proposals Maps as NC11/1, NC11/2 etc). Proposals affecting such sites are subject to the requirements of Policy NC10 (Protection of Sites of Importance for Earth Science).
To view these policies see: Nature Conservation
Site of International Importance for Nature Conservation
Proposal NC2 (Sites of International Importance for Nature Conservation) lists sites of International Importance for Nature Conservation (shown on the Proposals Maps as NC2/1, NC2/2). Proposals affecting such sites are subject to the requirements of Policy NC1 (The Protection of Sites of International Importance for Nature Conservation).
To view these policies see: Nature Conservation
Site of National Importance for Nature Conservation
Proposal NC4 (Sites of National Importance for Nature Conservation) lists sites of International Importance for Nature Conservation (shown on the Proposals Maps as NC4/1, NC4/2 etc). Proposals affecting such sites are subject to the requirements of Policy NC3 (The Protection of Sites of National Importance for Nature Conservation).
To view these policies see: Nature Conservation
Sports Ground
Proposal RE6 (Sports Grounds for Protection from Development) lists a number of sports grounds and playing fields within the urban area (shown on the Proposals Maps as RE6/1, RE6/2 etc) which are protected under Policy RE5 - Criteria for the Protection of Playing Fields.
Tourism Development Site
Proposal TL4 (Land for Tourism Development at New Brighton) identifies a number of sites for mixed-use tourism-related development (shown on the Proposals Maps as TL4/1,TL4/2 and TL4/3) subject to Policies TL2 and CO1. A further site in New Brighton is identified under Proposal TL8 (Land at the Former Derby Pool, New Brighton), this has now been developed. Sites are additionally designated under Proposal TL3 (Land for Tourism Development at Wirral Waterfront) and shown on the Proposals Maps as TL3/1, TL3/2, TL3/3, Policy TL5 (The Control of Tourism at West Kirby) and Policy TL6 (The Control of Tourism in Port Sunlight)
To view these policies see: Tourism and Leisure
Traditional Suburban Centre
Policy SH2 lists the Borough's secondary shopping centres - their boundaries are defined on the Proposals Maps and are given the notation SH2/1, SH2/2 etc. Policy SH2 allows for retail uses within the centres subject to the criteria included in the policy.
Washland
The Proposals Map shows two areas in North Wirral which are low-lying and potentially at risk of flooding from the River Birket and the River Fender. Washland is a combination of the natural floodplain (notably the Birket upstream of Moreton) and the floodplain restricted by artificial features such as the M53 motorway embankments and constructed flood defence works. Policy WA1 (Development and Flood Risk) sets out the policy approach to assessing new development proposals in these areas.
Waste Disposal Site
Proposal WM1 (Landfill Waste Disposal Sites) identifies a number of sites on the Proposals Maps (shown as WM1/1, WM1/2 etc) for waste disposal by landfill. All the sites were all existing landfill sites at the time the UDP was adopted and are shown on the Proposals Maps for information only.