Leverhulme plans for more housing development and a new green space on land off Pensby Road

Hundreds more homes and a new green space could be created in Wirral as concerns remain over the future of the area's green belt.

An application for a new green space about a quarter of the size of Birkenhead Park has been submitted as part of a series of controversial Leverhulme Estate planning applications.

The proposed new space aims to protect wildlife and would be situated on land off Pensby Road, near Barnston.

Documents linked to the new application also suggest that around 250 new homes could be built on farmland near Appleby's Farm in Greasby. 

Leverhulme has already submitted seven planning applications to Wirral Council that could see nearly 800 homes built on part of its 2,000 acre estate.

An artist's impression of what a Leverhulme avenue might look like

That number could be set to rise to 1038 through an eighth application, expected later this year. A request to the council on the need for an environmental assessment in a future planning application near Appleby's Farm was submitted on September 5.

The new plans have faced opposition from councillors as well as thousands of residents. One petition received over 4,500 signatures with many worried they will damage green belt land in Wirral. 

In a recent post, Councillor Mike Collins said he has invited a representative from Leverhulme Estate to meet with councillors and residents but hadn't received a response.

Leverhulme says the applications will help Wirral Council meet its five-year housing target and the green space will mitigate the recreational pressures from the proposed developments.

Called a Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace or SANG, the green space proposal will allow public access to 22.6 hectares of land with 3.25km of new walking routes.

Leverhulme says its plans will provide walkable connections between Pensby and Barnston and retain the character of the current farmland. 23 car parking spaces as well as 20 bike racks will be included.

Gail Jenkinson has campaigned on this issue for the local Labour Party. She said the proposed green space did not change her mind on Leverhulme's wider plans to build homes. 

She believes Wirral Council has enough space to build houses on brownfield sites in areas that have already been developed, adding: "It hasn't changed my mind at all. There is no need. There is no need to build on green spaces. It makes no difference."

She welcomed the idea of new habitats for wildlife but said this shouldn't come at the expense of building on fields. She said: "I'm not in favour if they are doing it just to mitigate houses built that aren't needed anyway.

"Of course more wildlife habitat is needed but farms already create a lot of habitat. This to me just looks like a sop."

To raise awareness of the green space plans, Leverhulme wrote to 681 residents in the surrounding area but said only 16 responses were received. 

Leverhulme said the feedback was "a clear indication that the SANG would be used by local people for leisure purposes."

Leverhulme Estate were approached for a comment on its wider plans.