THE draft version of a Local Plan for regeneration the council believes could save Wirral's Green Belt is now being prepared after public consultation.

The document sets out how land should be used to meet tough housing targets over the next 15 years.

The council believes the proposals will save the borough's green belt from redvelopment.

Work is underway to assess the comments and feedback received during a recent public consultation, which will be collated into the Council's portal, which will be live in the coming weeks.

The borough's housing need has been calculated at 12,000 new homes up to 2035. A council spokesperson said that figure has been determined using Government guidelines and data.

The plan's preferred option is to meet demand using only urban and previously developed – or brownfield – sites to meet its future housing and employment needs.

It aims to promote the regeneration of various areas including Birkenhead, Liscard, New Ferry and New Brighton, to provide "new, vibrant, mixed-use neighbourhoods".

The council's deputy leader and cabinet member for the Local Plan, Cllr Anita Leech, said: "I am delighted with the response to the consultation and want to thank everyone who has taken the time to provide their comments during the consultation process.

"These are difficult times, but we are committed to delivering the Local Plan and the council's ambitious 15-year vision for Wirral.

"There has been a significant number of responses from residents, businesses, local groups, landowners and developers.

"Each of these responses is now being assessed and once this has been completed a summary report of the consultation along with the detailed responses will be published in the coming months."

In line with social distancing guidance, an interactive online system has been developed by the council, the public to search for comments submitted by question and see an overview of the numbers and types of feedback received.

Cllr Leech continued: "Now that consultation has closed, comments will be reviewed and a final draft Local Plan will be prepared and published.

"This, in due course, will be subject to examination in public by a planning Inspector.

"I will ensure, through whatever means are available to us at that time, that all residents will have the opportunity to make representations to the Planning Inspectorate on the contents of the final draft Local Plan."