A DETAILED action plan to 'protect' Wirral's Green Belt land is being finalised by council bosses.

Wirral Council has been in negotiations with Government ministers on its Local Plan for around 18 months and the latest discussions have resulted in leaders needing to provide Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government James Brokenshire with a detailed update within the next ten weeks.

The latest update will include an 'action plan' to demonstrate how and when the Local Plan will be completed which will then be followed by monthly progress reports to Mr Brokenshire.

All local authorities are required to produce a Local Plan which determines what sites should be made available for development - ministers had threatened if the council does not meet their timetable for a plan, they will take it out of the local authority's hands.

This includes where housing, new employment and mixed use sites should be released for development and, through a full review, decide what Green Belt land might be released for development.

Cllr George Davies, cabinet member for housing and planning told the Globe: “I’m pleased the Secretary of State has acknowledged the actions we have taken and our progress towards delivering our Local Plan, and I am hopeful he is open to working with us and listening to the unique circumstances Wirral faces.

“We remain committed to delivering our Local Plan in the quickest possible timeframe, and we are equally committed to doing all we can to protect our Green Belt and the local environment our residents are so proud of.”

Originally the borough was set a target of 12,000 homes by 2035 which works out as 800 a year. This figure was reportedly based on a Government formula using economic and demographic data.

However, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) have since released revised figures indicating the target is much lower and is closer to 500.

Cllr Davies added: “In our view the latest ONS figures more accurately reflect the real changes in population we are experiencing here in the borough.

“We argued the original figures were too high and were leading to a miscalculation which threatened our Green Belt.

"We have responded to the Government consultation to urge them to reconsider their approach and allow Wirral to use the most recent projections.

“As of today, we have unfortunately received no response to our calls. Hopefully during our ongoing discussions with the Secretary of State we can convince him that Wirral’s Green Belt is worth saving.”

Council bosses say they are lobbying the Government to allow the borough to use the lower household projections in its Local Plan.

More than 6,000 responses were received on a consultation about the Local Plan and the data is currently being analysed, any further decisions on the Local Plan and Green Belt release will be made this year.