Householder Development Supplementary Planning Document

The Wirral Local Plan was adopted in March 2025. The Local Plan includes a range of policies, which conform to national planning policy, to shape the future of Wirral. It sets out how new development will be managed in the period from 2022 to 2040, encouraging urban regeneration, sustainable development and economic growth.

The Council is preparing a Householder Development Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) to supplement adopted planning policies in the Wirral Local Plan for householder development proposals, including extensions and alterations to an existing single dwelling and works within the curtilage of an existing dwelling. SPDs give more detailed guidance on the application of policies in the adopted Wirral Local Plan 2022-2040, Joint Waste Local Plan for Merseyside and Halton and ‘made’ (i.e. adopted) Neighbourhood Plans. SPDs also need to be consistent with the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and Planning Practice Guidance (PPG).

The SPD will replace existing Supplementary Planning Documents and former Supplementary Guidance Notes related to policies in the now withdrawn Unitary Development Plan. The coverage of the SPD will be Borough-wide.

The SPD will contain guidance on achieving development solutions that could be permitted under the terms of adopted Local Plan policies. This will cover all aspects of design including scale, massing and appearance; landscaping; boundary treatment; residential amenities and separation distances; private amenity space and parking; and appropriate development within the Green Belt.

The consultation on the scope of the Householder Development SPD closed on 9 February 2026. The Council considered all comments and has produced a Consultation Statement summarising the main issues raised and this is in the Documents section of this page for information. The feedback received has informed the preparation of the Householder Development SPD Draft this is in the Documents section of this page for review.

To have your say on the Householder Development SPD Draft please complete the online survey below.

If you wish to submit any supporting documents as part of your response, please email these to localplan@wirral.gov.uk

The Wirral Local Plan was adopted in March 2025. The Local Plan includes a range of policies, which conform to national planning policy, to shape the future of Wirral. It sets out how new development will be managed in the period from 2022 to 2040, encouraging urban regeneration, sustainable development and economic growth.

The Council is preparing a Householder Development Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) to supplement adopted planning policies in the Wirral Local Plan for householder development proposals, including extensions and alterations to an existing single dwelling and works within the curtilage of an existing dwelling. SPDs give more detailed guidance on the application of policies in the adopted Wirral Local Plan 2022-2040, Joint Waste Local Plan for Merseyside and Halton and ‘made’ (i.e. adopted) Neighbourhood Plans. SPDs also need to be consistent with the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and Planning Practice Guidance (PPG).

The SPD will replace existing Supplementary Planning Documents and former Supplementary Guidance Notes related to policies in the now withdrawn Unitary Development Plan. The coverage of the SPD will be Borough-wide.

The SPD will contain guidance on achieving development solutions that could be permitted under the terms of adopted Local Plan policies. This will cover all aspects of design including scale, massing and appearance; landscaping; boundary treatment; residential amenities and separation distances; private amenity space and parking; and appropriate development within the Green Belt.

The consultation on the scope of the Householder Development SPD closed on 9 February 2026. The Council considered all comments and has produced a Consultation Statement summarising the main issues raised and this is in the Documents section of this page for information. The feedback received has informed the preparation of the Householder Development SPD Draft this is in the Documents section of this page for review.

To have your say on the Householder Development SPD Draft please complete the online survey below.

If you wish to submit any supporting documents as part of your response, please email these to localplan@wirral.gov.uk

Page last updated: 02 Apr 2026, 08:52 AM