Committee Business For The First Quarter
The Committee continue to meet to review current issues affecting Wirral, along with the Society’s ongoing work and upcoming activities. This update summarises the Committee’s work during the first quarter of 2026.
Key Issues
Much of our discussion has been (as expected) focused on two significant planning and environmental matters. The proposed Peak Cluster carbon capture and storage scheme continues to generate strong local concern. There is now cross-party opposition within Wirral Borough Council, and a campaign group – Action Against Carbon Capture Storage (AACCS) – has been established, attracting considerable public support through petitions and meetings. The Society has agreed to work with AACCS by co-signing letters opposing the scheme, where their content aligns with our position.
The proposed solar farm at Thurstaston remains at an early stage, but if it progresses to a formal application it will require a full Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). The ITPAS group continues to monitor developments closely, with regular meetings to review any changes.
Other Planning Issues
Whilst the previous significant and contentious proposals continued to dominate the start of the year, other planning issues have not been forgotten.
We are concerned about a housing proposal at Gayton which may proceed – without a full environmental assessment – and there are two potential developments in Neston on the horizon. One for 80 homes, alongside a larger scheme of around 400 homes. Both proposals are currently being followed up in liaison with our CPRE colleagues.
Looking ahead, a Green Belt re-survey is expected and the Society is strengthening its links with CPRE representatives across the region so that it can respond effectively when consultation begins.
Communication With Our Membership
Away from planning matters, the Society’s programme of activities continues. Details of upcoming members’ events have been circulated with the latest edition of Wirral Matters and will also be available on this website. The recent Wirral Heritage Fair (where we had our own table) was particularly successful, attracting around 2,500 visitors – its highest attendance to date.
This website remains an important channel for communication and we have been particularly busy with incoming enquiries about Peak Cluster. The Society’s position on Peak Cluster is to oppose the project and the Committee has agreed that its formal consultation response will be published online to provide clarity.
We appreciate members’ patience as we continue to build our understanding of this complex issue. Carbon capture is not within our regular sphere of business, as you might expect!
Membership Counts
Membership remains an area of concern, with a net loss of 52 members over the past two years. Subscription renewals have recently been issued, and the Committee will continue to consider ways of strengthening membership. The Society has also maintained its support for local initiatives, including a £300 donation to the Upton Village Community Group and a further contribution to Mayer Park.
The Wirral Society Eco-Schools Day 2026 Grant
Planning is well underway for this year’s Eco Schools Day at Thurstaston, which the Society is supporting with a £1,000 grant. Committee member, Judith Railton, has been closely involved with this initiative and has provided the following report.
I met with Lynn Struve, WBC eco-schools projects coordinator and Jo Boots, Wirral Country Ranger at Thurstaston Visitors Centre on 27th March, to discuss our Society’s £1,000 grant to enrich the (imminent) Eco Schools Day at Thurstaston, on 11th June.
We agreed that Sarah Gallagher (Twigtwisters), who runs inspirational and practical workshops (with willow) reliably, in all weathers, would enable 120 children to make and take back to school, their workshop pieces.
The fee to cover this is £800, which covers preparation time, all materials, and delivery of the workshop on the day.
Providing an opportunity for all to come together and share their experiences of the day, we have engaged The Bee Wirral CIC charity who run the cafe at the Visitors Centre.
They will provide and subsidise refreshments (hot and cold drinks and biscuits) for around 150 people at a cost of £200.
Both these sums will be invoiced to The Wirral Society and paid directly.
The day will also have a focus on litter and jobs in the eco sector with the children being given the opportunity to interact with the following organisations:
- Green Jobs – opportunities in coastal jobs, supported by showing films
- Faiths 4 Change – plastic waste and jobs
- The Environment Agency (with their Pegasus backpack) – will demonstrate their approach to monitoring coastal change with laser equipment
- Rainwater Gardens – encouraging the better use of rainwater in gardens and the policy of not paving
- Wirral Fox Rescue – resuce, rehabilitaion and release
There will be other art-based marine inspired workshops and I will have a roving commission on the day, to compile a gallery of photos of ‘hands in action ‘ and writing poetry of the events. Children will litter pick and search for coastal ‘treasure’ on the beach for part of the day.
The Society have been offered a stand on the day, which will provide an opportunity for us to engage with schools, families and partner organisations and explain more about our work. Anyone who may be able to assist with a gazebo or help staff the stand would be very welcome!
Judith Railton
As we continue into the second quarter of 2026, with two extra large proposals affecting every aspect of the Wirral peninsula, the need to strengthen our membership numbers has never mattered more.
As a charity, funds from memberships and donations have enabled us to assist grass-roots groups who often feel they don’t have a voice against the experience of cash-rich developers. Without a strong membership base, we risk losing our ability to act on behalf of Wirral’s network of environmental caretakers. If you are reading this and are not a member, we would be delighted if you would consider making the commitment to join us.