A £25m regeneration scheme has been announced for Wirral, which will see the Grande II listed Hydraulic Tower on the Birkenhead Docklands transformed into a ‘marine knowledge hub.’ The Liverpool Echo reports that the plans are part of the wider Wirral Waters project, which has committed to delivering 13,000 ‘urban cottages’ in the area by 2045.
The historic Central Hydraulic Tower and Engine House were designed by Jesse Hartley, and completed in 1863. The purpose was to provide power to move the lock gates and bridges at Birkenhead Docks. The tower sustained serious bomb damage during WWII, and the lantern was never replaced.
The structure has fallen into disrepair after standing empty for several decades. It was originally designed as a copy of the Palazzo Vecchio in Florence, Italy, and the newly appointed architects for the scheme, Ellis Williams, aim to preserve the original character of the building, while adding a four-storey extension.
Richard Mawdsley, director of development for Wirral Waters at Peel L&P, said: “This is a pioneering regeneration project which will offer so much to the UK’s maritime sector.”
He added: “Wirral and the Liverpool City Region have a proud maritime heritage and the development of the Maritime Knowledge Hub will not only continue that heritage, but it also presents a fantastic opportunity for job creation and economic growth for the whole of the Liverpool City Region and beyond.”
“The design of the Hub and the regeneration of the tower is very special with education, industry and culture at its very core. The tower is a very important local asset, full of history and heritage, and it’s only right that it takes centre stage of the Wirral Waters regeneration project.”
The renovated building will provide research and development facilities, training and education facilities, office space, and a café. The developers claim that it will become home to some of the country’s most forward thinking maritime organisations, and will drive new research and investment to the area.
The Maritime Technology Centre and the Marine Simulation and Training Centre plan to occupy the newly redeveloped space. Pontoons will be made available to access the water’s edge and training ships. It is hoped that work will start in early 2023, assuming that the plans are approved by Wirral Council.
There will be 62 parking spaces, with 10 EV charging points, plus five cycle stands and disabled parking.
Chris Shirling-Rooke, chief executive of Mersey Maritime, welcomed the plans. He said: “Our commitment to it is resolute – it is really needed and now is the time to crack on with the work. This project speaks to the heart of the collaboration opportunities that drive our activity on a day-to-day basis and the timing couldn’t be better.”
Peel will also be working with Liverpool John Moores University Liverpool City Region Combined Authority to develop the scheme, which was first announced back in 2014, and was the subject of a design competition, won by Ellis Williams Architects and Danish architect Schmidt Hammer Lassen in 2018.
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