RESIDENTS are being asked for their views after it emerged a proposed new fire station could be built on greenbelt land near Saughall Massie.

Councillors have sent questionnaire surveys to 2,500 residents asking for their thoughts on merging West Kirby and Upton stations at a joint location on greenbelt land on Saughall Massie Road.

There are no firm plans on the table at the moment.

Earlier this week people-power forced a spectacular U-turn over plans to build the new station on council-owned land in Frankby Road, Greasby.

The proposal caused public outcry, with several hundred protestors turning up to recent consultation meetings to let their views be known.

Moreton West and Saughall Massie Conservative councillor Steve Williams told the Globe: "There are no definite plans on the table yet, but we have been told this is the only other council-owned site on greenbelt land in that area. So, the aim of the survey is to put the feelers out for public opinion on this.

"A station here would affect people in the area. We've seen what locals felt in Greasby and it's important to gauge the views of local residents.

"It's a great pity the Fire Authority and the Council didn't get their act together before causing so much concern and worry for people in Greasby.

"My job as a councillor for Moreton and Saughall Massie is to make sure people in this community have every opportunity to give their views on building a new fire station in Saughall Massie - whether it's the loss of green belt or traffic related issues, or the benefits the fire service believes will come from such a developent."

Council leader Phil Davies said earlier this week he had asked officers to "widen the scope" of the search and to look at alternative sites in the Greasby area.

He said on Monday: "Having listened to the views of local residents in Greasby and representations made by Labour’s Parliamentary candidate in Wirral West, Margaret Greenwood, I believe the council-owned land in the centre of Greasby would be inappropriate for a fire station and would remove a much-loved local green space.

“The chief fire officer has been notified of my decision on this matter and he has been assured that council officers will continue to work with him to identify an alternative site elsewhere in the greater Greasby area.”

A spokesperson for Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service said: "The Fire and Rescue Authority has had to make savings of £26 million since 2011/12 and can no longer afford to maintain 26 fire stations across Merseyside.

"The consultation process has only ever been concerned with seeking the views of the public on the reasonableness of closing two stations and building a new station at the most optimum location achievable to minimise the impact on response times.

"It is that on which the Fire and Rescue Authority will make a decision. Any other issues relate to planning matters and are out of the control of the Fire and Rescue Authority.

"An update on the consultation process will be reported to the Fire and Rescue Authority on December 16.”