Birkenhead, which lies along the south bank of the River Mersey on the Wirral Peninsula, is set to benefit from a multi-billion pound investment over the next few years. The Liverpool Echo reports that several new schemes are lined up as part of a ‘grand masterplan’ to transform the town.
A significant portion of this will be the Wirral Waters project, which is set to create over 23,000 new homes for the area, with at least 1,100 affordable homes that will be 20% cheaper than the current market price. Developers Peel L&P are working to deliver the new housing, as well as other amenities and landscaping features.
Richard Mawdsley, Peel’s director of development for Wirral Waters, said that the new projects would create 100s of new jobs, both in the construction phase. These will be a result of new office facilities and other schemes, such as the Maritime Knowledge Hub, which is proposed for the refurbished hydraulic tower on the dockland area.
Mr Mawdsley commented on the proposal: “That would be a massive signifier of progress on this side of the water if we can refurbish that building. A symbol of the renaissance of the east bank on the Wirral.” The hub would have a base for start ups, marine businesses, and relevant academic departments for local universities and colleges.
Commenting on criticism that previously announced plans for the area have been slow to materialise or slipped off the radar entirely, Mr Mawdsley said: “Rome wasn’t built in a day so we need to be looking at individual projects and getting those off the ground and clustering those into neighbourhood areas and all the infrastructure.”
He added: “We need to make sure the project is permeable. At the moment the dock edge has been closed off to the people of Birkenhead, Liscard, and Seacombe. People haven’t been able to get to the dock edge. What we want to do is open it up a bit more so people realise what an asset there is on the doorstep.”
Other commentators have expressed worries that the investment could leave local people priced out of their home time, as more affluent outsiders are attracted to the area. However, Mr Mawdsley responded to the criticism by pointing out that currently, the dockland areas are under populated, with few employment opportunities.
It is hoped that the new investment will see a positive regeneration of the Birkenhead docks, where people will be attracted to live and work by a vibrant and modern community. There are also plans to improve transport links to Liverpool city centre, with a better ferry service, and a potential light rail system and more regular buses.
There will also be a focus on creating more green spaces, with priority for pedestrian and cycle routes along the waterway to link up the business and residential areas of the town.
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