Hoylake Beach Management Plan

This Consultation is now closed

Wirral Council is moving forward on developing a new beach management plan for Hoylake and will be continuing to engage with residents, elected members and other stakeholders as part of this process.

Two options have now been developed for public consultation and are outlined below. To have your say please complete the survey below.

A report, including feedback on the consultation, will go to a meeting of the Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport Committee due in April 2024.

Both options remain subject to further detailed Habitat Regulation Assessments (HRAs) and other evidential reports pending assent from Natural England.

Option 1 - Access for All option

The Access for All option is based on the Environment, Climate Emergency and Transportation Committee’s resolution to work with natural processes along the entire beach but with a focus on greatly improved access for all and clearance of slipways.

The Access for All option provides the “do minimum” option with regard to vegetation removal. It does not include vegetation removal between Red Rocks and Kings Gap, however it does include for:

  • Removal of sand and vegetation from slipways to improve access onto the foreshore.
  • Removal of vegetation for 225m to the west (approximately Clydesdale Road) and 130m to the east of the Hoylake Lifeboat Station North Slipway. This is to allow for launch and recovery of RNLI equipment during lifesaving operations.
  • Removal of a 10m strip of vegetation from Kings Gap perpendicular to the coastline through the emerging saltmarsh. This strip is to allow for launch and recovery of RNLI equipment during lifesaving operations.
  • Removal of a strip of vegetation no wider than 10m parallel to the sea wall from Kings gap to the RNLI west slipway. This strip is to allow for launch and recovery of RNLI equipment during lifesaving operations.


Option 2 - Amenity Beach option

The Amenity Beach option provides a more extensive approach with regard to vegetation removal. It is based on the Environment, Climate Emergency and Transportation Committee’s resolution to "do nothing" from Red Rocks to Trinity Road and "do everything" from Trinity Road to the RNLI station.

Option 2 Amenity Beach also includes for

  • Removal of sand and vegetation from slipways to improve access onto the foreshore.
  • Removal of vegetation for 130m to the east of the Hoylake Lifeboat Station North Slipway and 320m to the west at Trinity Road, tapered on its landward return at Government Road some 140m further west. This also includes the area for launch and recovery of RNLI equipment during lifesaving operations.
  • Removal of a 10m strip of vegetation from Kings Gap perpendicular to the coastline through the emerging saltmarsh. This strip is to allow for launch and recovery of RNLI equipment during lifesaving operations.
  • Removal of a strip of vegetation no wider than 10m parallel to the sea wall from Kings Gap to the RNLI west slipway. This strip is to allow for launch and recovery of RNLI equipment during lifesaving operations.


The management actions detailed below will apply as part of either option:

Maintenance of highway drainage

Both beach management options include for localised sand clearance at the outfalls serving the highway drainage network for the adjacent North Parade. This will allow for free discharge onto the foreshore and improve highway drainage.

Improvement to water quality discharges

The current highway drainage arrangement allows for road pollutants to discharged to the foreshore when highway drains are in use. Both beach management options recommend installation and maintenance of petrol interceptors to prevent pollutants reaching the foreshore.

Maintenance of Hoylake Boating Lake

Wind blown sand frequently infills Hoylake Boating Lake. Current arrangements to remove and dispose of the sand are time consuming and costly. Drainage of the lake water is problematic as it cannot easily be drained to sewer and dredged sand is disposed offsite incurring transportation costs. Both beach management options have identified improved arrangements for drainage of the lake and disposal of the sand on the foreshore. Both activities would be subject to permitting and licencing approvals.

Management of wind-blown sand

The requirement for sand fencing along the full length of North Parade has been considered as part of the beach management options development. Both options contain a recommendation to remove the plastic green netting as its weathering has caused it to become brittle resulting in fragments breaking off and littering the beach. Both beach management options recommend further monitoring to evaluate the impact that vegetation growth has before installing a suitable sand fencing system.

Hoylake Beach Code of Conduct

Both beach management options include the introduction of a Beach Code of Conduct. Based on the principles of “Respect, Protect, Enjoy” it can be promoted ,shared and displayed to all visitors of Hoylake Beach so that everyone conducts themselves in a safe, sensible and environmentally friendly way while enjoying the beach. The beach code will provide guidance on the themes of:

  • Leave No Trace
  • Protecting Wildlife
  • Dog Friendly Beach


Hoylake Beach Document Library

The Council has collated a set of reports, maps and photographs related to Hoylake Beach. The folders named below contain new information added since the previous consultation:

2023 Botanical Survey and Shore Dock Survey

Beach Management Plan Options Habitat Regulations Assessments

These can be accessed through Google Drive via the 'Document Library' button below. Please note that some of the file sizes are large and make take some time to download. Guidance on how to access and download files from Google Drive is provided in the Documents section of this page. If you have any issues with Google Drive access, please contact us: hoylakebeach@wirral.gov.uk

Due to the nature of the documents, they may not be suitable to view for users of assistive technology or mobile phones. If you need a copy of any of these documents, please contact us through the email address above.

Aerial Photography and Sediment Information is subject to an open government licence. Any re-use of the data must credit the North West and North Wales Coastal Group through the North West Regional Monitoring Programme www.coastalmonitoring.org

This Consultation is now closed

Wirral Council is moving forward on developing a new beach management plan for Hoylake and will be continuing to engage with residents, elected members and other stakeholders as part of this process.

Two options have now been developed for public consultation and are outlined below. To have your say please complete the survey below.

A report, including feedback on the consultation, will go to a meeting of the Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport Committee due in April 2024.

Both options remain subject to further detailed Habitat Regulation Assessments (HRAs) and other evidential reports pending assent from Natural England.

Option 1 - Access for All option

The Access for All option is based on the Environment, Climate Emergency and Transportation Committee’s resolution to work with natural processes along the entire beach but with a focus on greatly improved access for all and clearance of slipways.

The Access for All option provides the “do minimum” option with regard to vegetation removal. It does not include vegetation removal between Red Rocks and Kings Gap, however it does include for:

  • Removal of sand and vegetation from slipways to improve access onto the foreshore.
  • Removal of vegetation for 225m to the west (approximately Clydesdale Road) and 130m to the east of the Hoylake Lifeboat Station North Slipway. This is to allow for launch and recovery of RNLI equipment during lifesaving operations.
  • Removal of a 10m strip of vegetation from Kings Gap perpendicular to the coastline through the emerging saltmarsh. This strip is to allow for launch and recovery of RNLI equipment during lifesaving operations.
  • Removal of a strip of vegetation no wider than 10m parallel to the sea wall from Kings gap to the RNLI west slipway. This strip is to allow for launch and recovery of RNLI equipment during lifesaving operations.


Option 2 - Amenity Beach option

The Amenity Beach option provides a more extensive approach with regard to vegetation removal. It is based on the Environment, Climate Emergency and Transportation Committee’s resolution to "do nothing" from Red Rocks to Trinity Road and "do everything" from Trinity Road to the RNLI station.

Option 2 Amenity Beach also includes for

  • Removal of sand and vegetation from slipways to improve access onto the foreshore.
  • Removal of vegetation for 130m to the east of the Hoylake Lifeboat Station North Slipway and 320m to the west at Trinity Road, tapered on its landward return at Government Road some 140m further west. This also includes the area for launch and recovery of RNLI equipment during lifesaving operations.
  • Removal of a 10m strip of vegetation from Kings Gap perpendicular to the coastline through the emerging saltmarsh. This strip is to allow for launch and recovery of RNLI equipment during lifesaving operations.
  • Removal of a strip of vegetation no wider than 10m parallel to the sea wall from Kings Gap to the RNLI west slipway. This strip is to allow for launch and recovery of RNLI equipment during lifesaving operations.


The management actions detailed below will apply as part of either option:

Maintenance of highway drainage

Both beach management options include for localised sand clearance at the outfalls serving the highway drainage network for the adjacent North Parade. This will allow for free discharge onto the foreshore and improve highway drainage.

Improvement to water quality discharges

The current highway drainage arrangement allows for road pollutants to discharged to the foreshore when highway drains are in use. Both beach management options recommend installation and maintenance of petrol interceptors to prevent pollutants reaching the foreshore.

Maintenance of Hoylake Boating Lake

Wind blown sand frequently infills Hoylake Boating Lake. Current arrangements to remove and dispose of the sand are time consuming and costly. Drainage of the lake water is problematic as it cannot easily be drained to sewer and dredged sand is disposed offsite incurring transportation costs. Both beach management options have identified improved arrangements for drainage of the lake and disposal of the sand on the foreshore. Both activities would be subject to permitting and licencing approvals.

Management of wind-blown sand

The requirement for sand fencing along the full length of North Parade has been considered as part of the beach management options development. Both options contain a recommendation to remove the plastic green netting as its weathering has caused it to become brittle resulting in fragments breaking off and littering the beach. Both beach management options recommend further monitoring to evaluate the impact that vegetation growth has before installing a suitable sand fencing system.

Hoylake Beach Code of Conduct

Both beach management options include the introduction of a Beach Code of Conduct. Based on the principles of “Respect, Protect, Enjoy” it can be promoted ,shared and displayed to all visitors of Hoylake Beach so that everyone conducts themselves in a safe, sensible and environmentally friendly way while enjoying the beach. The beach code will provide guidance on the themes of:

  • Leave No Trace
  • Protecting Wildlife
  • Dog Friendly Beach


Hoylake Beach Document Library

The Council has collated a set of reports, maps and photographs related to Hoylake Beach. The folders named below contain new information added since the previous consultation:

2023 Botanical Survey and Shore Dock Survey

Beach Management Plan Options Habitat Regulations Assessments

These can be accessed through Google Drive via the 'Document Library' button below. Please note that some of the file sizes are large and make take some time to download. Guidance on how to access and download files from Google Drive is provided in the Documents section of this page. If you have any issues with Google Drive access, please contact us: hoylakebeach@wirral.gov.uk

Due to the nature of the documents, they may not be suitable to view for users of assistive technology or mobile phones. If you need a copy of any of these documents, please contact us through the email address above.

Aerial Photography and Sediment Information is subject to an open government licence. Any re-use of the data must credit the North West and North Wales Coastal Group through the North West Regional Monitoring Programme www.coastalmonitoring.org

  • Frequently Asked Questions

    Why did the council stop managing the beach at Hoylake?

    It is not true to say the council has stopped managing the beach altogether, as a range of maintenance tasks are still carried out. The Council can only manage the beach in a way that is approved by Natural England. The previous Beach Management Plan, which was approved by Natural England in 2016 expired in 2021 and we have been working with partners, residents and other stakeholders on a complex and sensitive process to agree a new strategy, taking into account Hoylake’s status as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and an area of international importance for wildlife and foreshore habitats.

    Why is it only Hoylake that needs beach management, what about beaches such as West Kirby and New Brighton?

    Hoylake is different to those beaches because it is the only Wirral location where management has included the removal of vegetation by spraying. Management of other beaches is to remove litter. All Wirral beaches have different identities and characteristics. Hoylake is special due its intertidal sands, vegetated upper beach and mudflats, and as a feeding and roosting site for waders and wildfowl. Hoylake is a designated Special Area of Conservation, Special Protection Area and Ramsar site. Unlike West Kirby and New Brighton, Hoylake is not a designated bathing beach.

    Will the lifeboat still be able to launch if there is a green beach and dunes?

    The life-saving operations of the RNLI – their ability to continue to launch and operate from the Hoylake foreshore – is a fundamental consideration in the development of the new Hoylake Beach Management Plan

    Why can’t we just have golden sands like we used to?

    Hoylake Beach is home to a range of rare or nationally important species and habitats and is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Because Hoylake Beach is legally protected through several statutory designations this means it is protected under law from anything that puts those elements at risk. We know that the beach is changing naturally, and it is becoming increasingly difficult for it to be effectively managed in a way that would gain assent from Natural England. Additionally, the Council, as landowner, has a statutory duty to further the conservation and enhancement of the SSSI. In developing a new Beach Management Plan, we are looking for find the most effective solution for managing Hoylake beach in the long-term.

    Why do we have to do what Natural England says – the Council owns the beach?

    Hoylake Beach is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). This means it is protected under law from actions or behaviours that could damage the special interest of the site, including anything that could cause harm or disruption to the range of rare or nationally important species and habitats. Hoylake is special for its intertidal sands and mudflats, and as a feeding and roosting site for waders and wildfowl. It is also a Special Area of Conservation, Special Protection Area and Ramsar site.

    Natural England is the Government’s statutory nature conservation adviser and is responsible for enforcing laws that protect wildlife and the natural environment. In order to act legally the Council must obtain permission, known as assent, from Natural England for any management activities they wish to undertake on Hoylake Beach. Additionally, both Wirral Council and Natural England have statutory duties to protect biodiversity whilst conserving and enhancing the landscape and to further the conservation and enhancement of Sites of Special Scientific Interest.

    The beach at Hoylake has been a SSSI for years and the grass has been removed before, why has it changed now?

    The Council previously had permission, or assent, from Natural England for removal of selectively targeted species of grasses. That assent has now expired and advice received from Natural England sets out that the same type of management would not now receive Natural England assent based on improved knowledge and evidence showing chemical treatment and raking is not effective. The Council has to find a new way of managing the beach.

    There is an application to have Hoylake Beach designated as a Town or Village Green, what does that mean for the Beach Management Plan?

    This is a separate to the development of the Beach Management Plan. If it is approved, the implications of the new Town or Village Green status will have to be considered in line with the new Beach Management Plan. However, the beach will remain protected by law from any activities or behaviours that could damage the special interest of the site, including anything that could cause harm or disruption to the range of rare or nationally important species and habitats.

Page last updated: 26 Mar 2024, 07:46 AM