Plans to clear 'large stretch' of beach after years of 'gridlock'

Wirral Council will look to clear three hectares of a beach after years of “gridlock” over the issue.

If the council went against Natural England advice and started clearing the beach without permission, this could mean they were breaking the law as the beach is an area under a number of different environmental protections. This could result in the local authority being sued by Natural England. Now the council faces a challenge to try and get the plans approved as Natural England have stated clearly they would not support the option due to the amount of vegetation that would be removed. However it said it was willing to work with the council going forward and the council thinks clearing vegetation to help Hoylake's RNLI could be a solution.

However the recommendation came under criticism from the committee’s two Green councillors. Those in favour said the plans were a solution to resolving the dispute and appeasing both sides with Labour councillor Steve Foulkes arguing the Green Party was “a group of people drafted from the extreme of politics.”

Following the meeting, the decision was praised by the leaders of Wirral's largest political parties. Labour council leader Cllr Paul Stuart said: “The beach has been one of those challenges which needed dealing with. Opposition Conservative leader Cllr Jeff Green said he had been working with Cllr Stuart to make it “a priority to try to make progress on Hoylake beach." In May 2023, he told the ECHO the local authority should stop doing “bonkers stuff” referring to the beach issue.

Wirral Council Leader Wirral Wirral Council

United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Natural England 'would not support' plans to clear 'toxic' beachWirral Council is still planning to move ahead
Source: EchoWhatsOn - 🏆 74. / 59 Read more »

Leeds United make fresh loanee transfer 'decision' as summer window plans becomes clearAll the latest headlines as Daniel Farke's side prepare to take on Watford on Friday night
Source: LeedsNews - 🏆 48. / 63 Read more »

'Get ready to fight': Villagers gearing up for battle over plans for 800 homesA campaign group in Albrighton has told villagers to “get ready to fight” now a petition against a housing development has collected more than 2,000 signatures.
Source: ShropshireStar - 🏆 98. / 51 Read more »

New images of how Rawtenstall Market could look as refurb plans move forwardThe historic building will be transformed into a 'visitor destination' using the main market as an indoor food hall with eight outlets
Source: LiveLancs - 🏆 10. / 87 Read more »

'The noise will be intolerable': Plans for town centre bar slammed by residents'I can’t express to you the amount of fear that I have of this license being granted until 11pm at night and the amount of stress and anxiety I will have not only for me but for my children'
Source: LiveLancs - 🏆 10. / 87 Read more »

Plans for ’boutique’ bar rejected after ‘bottomless brunch pre-drinking’ claimsPlans to open a ’boutique’ bar in a Yorkshire city centre have been turned down after claims it would be used for bottomless brunch ‘pre-drinking’ sessions.
Source: The Yorkshire Post - 🏆 39. / 66 Read more »