WIRRAL Council has been warned if it fails to “demonstrate a clear path” to developing a blueprint for the future of housing in the borough then the Government will take over.

In a letter addressed to council leader Phil Davies, secretary of state for housing and local government James Brokenshire warns the town hall must publish an action plan, report monthly to officials on its progress and designate a lead councillor and lead official to progress the preparation of the so-called Local Plan.

Mr Brokenshire states Wirral is one of only 11 authorities who is yet to publish such a plan.

He criticised planning policies for not being kept up to date - the last local plan for the borough being adopted in February 2000.

The minister warned that due to Wirral's “consistent failure” to meet milestones for a local development scheme, it would be quicker for the Government to intervene in preparing a masterplan that would be put in place as soon as possible.

Mr Brokenshire believes Wirral's problems are not caused by it being an area “where there is higher housing pressure” but are due to the fact the council has failed to plan for new homes for residents.

In responding to Mr Brokenshire's letter town hall boss Phil Davies said he would comply with its demands.

The Labour group leader pointed out a councillor and official have been put in place for the Local Plan along with appointing a QC in autumn to ensure the council is fully compliant with legislation.

The town hall has been in dispute with the Government over the agreed number of houses needed to be built each year after the Office for National Statistics released figures that showed Wirral's annual target is around 500.

But Mr Brokenshire remains clear in his letter that the borough has an annual housing need of 803 homes.

Leader of Wirral’s Tory group Ian Lewis told the Globe: “The secretary of state’s patience has snapped.

“He’s had enough of the waffle, the excuses and the failure of Wirral Council.

"Those who are campaigning to save our Green Belt feel exactly the same.

“This letter makes clear this is the council’s last opportunity to get its act together or risk having the power taken off them.”

Mr Brokenshire said he is offering the authority a final opportunity to show it is putting a housing plan together.

Deputy leader of the council and cabinet member for housing and planning Cllr George Davies said: “The Government wants to have its cake and eat it.

"They are insisting we forge ahead with the Local Plan which could decimate our borough’s Green Belt while at the same time saying there no housing targets.

“Wirral is, as the secretary of state acknowledges, taking ‘positive action’ and engaging in a ‘constructive way’ with his department.

"However he is still insisting on us using his Government’s ‘standard method for assessing housing need’ which says we must build 12,000 homes by 2035 which works out as 800 a year.

“However the ONS have since released revised figures indicating the target is much lower, around 500 a year, and would mitigate almost all the risk to the borough’s Green Belt.

“The secretary of state says in his letter that ‘authorities should make a realistic assessment of the number of homes their communities need’ and I believe we are best placed to make that judgement.”