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Wirral Council is once again under fire over its decision to back the cheaper regeneration option for New Ferry, despite a public consultation showing support for the premium option.
The issue was once again raised during a meeting of council members at Wallasey Town Hall yesterday, as reported by the Liverpool Echo.
Councillors on the Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport Committee voted in favour of a lower-cost design for the shopping precinct, rather than the option preferred by 83% of respondents during a public consultation.
The more popular proposal featured bespoke paving similar to Birkenhead's Grange Road, as well as a butterfly trail woven into the design. Instead, councillors approved a scheme using coloured tarmac, similar to West Kirby promenade, which is expected to cost around £1.2 million less and does not include the butterfly trail.
The decision has prompted an ongoing campaign from residents and business owners, who have launched a GoFundMe appeal to help fund leaflets and banners calling for changes to the project.
During the meeting, resident Claire Shields questioned council leader Cllr Paula Basnett about discussions she had held with local campaigners following the committee's decision.
Ms Shields said Basnett had indicated features such as the butterfly trail could still be incorporated into the regeneration and asked whether she would publicly commit to including them.
In response, Basnett said the butterfly trail is being considered by council officers as a possible addition to the approved scheme. However, she made clear that the committee's decision to proceed with the lower-cost design would not be revisited.
Addressing concerns over why the results of the public consultation were not followed, the councillor said consultation forms only one part of the council's decision-making process.
She told the meeting: "A consultation is not a referendum."
The council leader said a range of factors had been considered before the final decision was made, including cost.
Cllr Basnett also proposed holding regular meetings between council representatives and New Ferry residents while the final details of the regeneration scheme are developed, to keep the community involved as the project moves forward.
