Mayor Steve Rotheram calls on people to have their say on blueprint for Liverpool City Region's development until 2040

LIVERPOOL City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram is calling on people to have their say on a draft strategy intended to ensure appropriate development across the City Region.

A 12 week public engagement has now begun on a draft Spatial Development Strategy (SDS) outlining the potential for development in the Region between now and 2040. The engagement process will run until:- 16 February 2024.

People can have their say via an online platform and a series of in-person community events that will be publicised through social media and the Combined Authority's website.

The comprehensive plan sets out how future development can contribute to the Region's overarching objectives, such as decarbonisation, tackling health inequalities and building an inclusive economy.

The draft document is a high level land use planning framework that will help shape the lives of City Region residents for decades to come by responding to the area's issues and opportunities.

The framework will help ensure that there is appropriate development across the City Region until 2040. Once finalised, it will be used alongside Local Plans produced by Local Authorities, to shape and make decisions on planning applications.

Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said:- "A Spatial Development Strategy is important in the future development of our whole area. The whole point of devolution is that is gives areas like ours the opportunity to chart our own course and invest in projects that can leave a positive, lasting impact on our resident's lives. Few issues have a bigger influence on our daily lives than the spaces we live and work in; they dictate the public services we can access, the education we can provide to our children and the opportunities within our reach. As our community continues to grow, it's vital that we continue to develop and improve our local area with quality, affordable homes, better connected public transport, improved public services and infrastructure. I've always been clear that throughout this process, our framework will only be used as a force for good; and in collaboration with our communities and our Local Authorities. More than 1.6m people call our Region home and they understand the opportunities and challenges facing our area better than anyone in Westminster or Whitehall ever could. This strategy is about raising the aspirations and opportunities for everyone who lives, works and grows up in our Region. Everyone who lives and works here has a stake in our future and I'd encourage as many people as possible to get involved to make sure your voice is heard."

Councillor Graham Morgan, Portfolio Holder for Housing and Spatial Planning, said:- "Planning is an important issue with a direct impact on people's lives which affects everything from our health and wellbeing to our economic opportunities. That's why this Spatial Development Strategy is so important and why I'm encouraging everyone to have their say through this latest engagement exercise."

The SDS has been developed in collaboration with the 6 constituent Local Authorities of the Liverpool City Region:- Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens and Wirral. It has involved planners, regeneration teams, housing professionals and environmental advisors working together to develop policy, review the evidence base and comment on drafts.

Hugh Baird College Unveils State of the Art Immersive Suite for Healthcare Students

HUGH Baird College is delighted to announce the launch of its new immersive suite, tailored specifically for Healthcare students. This facility will enhance the educational experience for future healthcare professionals, providing them with a unique learning environment.

The suite is designed to offer immersive experiences to students pursuing careers in healthcare related fields, including:- nursing, midwifery, emergency medical care and allied health sciences. The suite is equipped with advanced technology, including:- 8K 360° backgrounds and simulation scents, which enable students to engage in:- realistic medical scenarios, develop their skills, and prepare them for real world challenges. These scenarios include:- operating theatres, live A&E units and trauma wards.

Key features of the immersive suite include:- virtual reality simulations, allowing students to practice clinical skills, diagnose conditions, and interact with patients in a safe and controlled environment that would otherwise be unreachable until the student was fully qualified. This new collaborative learning space will enable students to work together on:- case studies, research projects, and simulations, fostering teamwork and communication skills that are essential for healthcare professionals.

Amber Leese, a Level 3 T-level Healthcare Science student, said:- "The immersive suite is such a fun learning space. I enjoy coming here in small groups and understanding how I would put the skills I have learned into practice in a real life scenario. It's fascinating as I wouldn't usually be able to access facilities such as operating theatres until I am fully qualified."

Tina Blease, Curriculum Manager for Health and Social Care at Hugh Baird College, stated:- "The new facility supports learners to fully immerse themselves into an environment otherwise not accessible to them. We use this to provide learners with a safe learning experience in which they can safely practice their skills, allowing tutors to assess them and provide valuable feedback."

Nicky Bowen, Quality Officer for E-Learning and Training, said:- "Our new immersive suite allows our learners to experience real-life and working environments safely and inclusively. This space will provide students with a realistic experience of a wide range of situations, from providing 1st aid after a road traffic collision, sampling life on an active construction site or providing a ward handover at the end of a busy shift at a Hospital."

Those wishing to find out more about the College's Healthcare courses can do so via their website.