Leverhulme Estates had submitted appeals to the Planning Inspectorate after Wirral Council refused all seven applications which were for homes on land in Barnston, Heswall, Irby, Pensby and Raby Mere.

In her decision, the Planning Inspector Katie McDonald wrote: "The very special circumstances necessary to justify the developments do not exist and there are clear reasons for refusing the developments proposed.”

The decision is available to view on the Planning Inspectorate’s website which can be accessed here 

There has been widespread public opposition to the proposals.

A public inquiry took place as part of the appeal. Margaret Greenwood, the MP for Wirral West, who has consistently opposed Leverhulme Estates’ proposals in parliament and the media, spoke out during one of the sessions of the inquiry, alongside the leader and deputy leader of Wirral Council, Cllr Paul Stuart and Cllr Jean Robinson respectively.

The three also wrote to government housing secretary Michael Gove over the appeals, and they hand-delivered a letter to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at 10 Downing Street as part of the campaign against Leverhulme Estates’ proposals.

Leverhulme Estates has a separate appeal pending with the Planning Inspectorate for 240 homes that they want to build on green belt land east of Rigby Drive in Greasby.

This application was also previously refused by Wirral Council.

People have until October 3 to send their comments to the Planning Inspectorate and can do so via this link

Commenting on the Planning Inspectorate’s decision, Margaret Greenwood MP said: "I am delighted that the Planning Inspectorate has dismissed the seven appeals by Leverhulme Estates.

"The green belt is immensely important to the health and wellbeing of those who live in and visit the area.

"It also has an important part to play in restoring wildlife and mitigating the impact of climate change. This is a great result for Wirral West

"I would like to pay tribute to everyone who has campaigned to save the green belt in Wirral.

"It has been an incredibly important campaign and a testimony to the passion which people feel for protecting the environment.

"I have been proud to campaign alongside them. People in Wirral West have made it abundantly clear all along that they do not want to see houses built on the green belt.

"Wirral Council’s draft Local Plan sets out how the borough’s housing needs can be met on brownfield sites and land in urban areas.

"They should now be allowed to get on with this without interference from developers who want to build on the green belt.

"It is still a matter of real concern that Leverhulme Estates have a further appeal pending for hundreds of homes that they want to build on green belt land in Greasby.

"They should withdraw this; their plans are not wanted in Wirral. I would urge local residents to register their concerns with the Planning Inspectorate.

"I call on Leverhulme Estates to drop their plans to build on Wirral’s green belt once and for all

Welcoming the planning inspector's decision, Wirral Council Leader Cllr Paul Stuart said: "It is great news the Planning Inspector rejected Leverhulme's appeals and preserved our Green Belt, supporting the regeneration of the borough with our Brown Field First Local Plan. 

"From the beginning, our communities, elected members, and the Council has made it clear that safeguarding the Green Belt is of utmost importance, and all involved have dedicated considerable efforts to achieve this outcome.

"I extend my gratitude to everyone who campaigned against these planning applications and participated in the appeal hearings. A special thanks goes to our hardworking council officers who played a vital role in securing this result.

"Nonetheless, there is still much work ahead. The Local Plan examination hearings have resumed this week, and they will greatly contribute to our ongoing efforts in protecting the Green Belt, while also meeting the housing and regeneration needs and desires of our borough's residents."

The leader of Wirral's Conservative Group, councillor Jeff Green, said: "Firstly, I want to pay tribute to the Council Officers who have worked diligently defending these appeals.

"However, the concern among Wirral residents, and the cost to the taxpayer of these appeals, could have been entirely avoided had the Council adopted a Local Plan at any time since 2004. Had it not been for the tireless work of the campaigners, much of Wirral would soon be lost under bricks and mortar.

"Those councillors who, back in 2018, secretly voted to consent to some of these sites for development should be thoroughly ashamed of their actions. 

"At the same time, I hope that Leverhulme Estates, and indeed any potential developer, will finally get the message – our Borough’s Green Belt is not an asset to appear on your balance sheet. Instead, the Council will work with you, but in the parts of the Borough that need regeneration and where people want to live."

Oxton Liberal Democrat councillor Stuart Kelly , chair of WIrral's planning committee, said: "I am pleased that the inspector has dismissed the first seven Leverhulme identifying the harm to the green belt and significantly highlighting the potential for them to undermine our regeneration ambitions in the east of WIrral. 

"With regard to the outstanding Greasby application which is still with the planning inspectorate-

"The issues are fundamentally the same on the 8th application in Greasby. We should remain hopeful that one too will be dismissed."