In plans which may face significant local opposition, the Leverhulme Estate has submitted planning applications to build 788 new homes on greenbelt land in Wirral. Tony McDonough reports

Almost 800 new homes will be built on greenbelt land in Wirral under plans submitted to Wirral Council by the Leverhulme Estate on Tuesday.

Leverhulme first unveiled plans for the sites in late 2021. They include locations in Pensby, Irby and Heswall. In February it launched a public consultation on the proposals which then comprised 830 new homes.

Following the feedback that has now been amended to what Leverhulme says will be 788 “environmentally friendly” homes. They include a mix of affordable and market housing, from two-bedroom homes to larger family homes.

Respondents also highlighted their desire to see more green spaces, play areas, wildlife corridors and footpaths. As a result Leverhulme says these have all been incorporated into the planning applications.

It was the Lever family, led by industrialist William Hesketh Lever, that built the historic Port Sunlight factory and village. Today, the Leverhulme Estate owns and manages 5,000 acres of land across Wirral. The seven applications are:

• A 0.82-hectare site 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.

They will also include ‘leafy streets’ with open space, trees and gardens, cycleways and footpaths and ‘enhanced biodiversity’. And, inspired by locations such as Port Sunlight, there will also be ‘characterful bespoke architecture’ and affordable housing.

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. This 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. The plans submitted by Leverhulme achieve all these principles alongside other critical criteria in a viable and deliverable way.

Speaking to the Wirral Globe in January, Wirral West Labour MP Margaret Greenwood, said: “I would encourage anyone who cares about the environment to make sure they submit their objections to these proposals.

“The green belt is there to protect towns and villages from urban sprawl and to improve the quality of life of those who live and work in the area. It’s immensely important that we defend it.”