£4.5bn Wirral Waters scheme secures first approval

Aug 19 2009 by Liam Murphy, Birkenhead News

Wirral Waters 460

THE first major phase of a £4.5bn plan to redevelop Wirral’s docklands has been given formal approval.

The Northbank East proposals for Wirral Waters were approved at a meeting of Wirral Council’s planning committee at Wallasey town hall.

Development director for Peel Holdings, Lindsay Ashworth said he was “absolutely delighted” that councillors had given the scheme unanimous approval.

The committee had considered two separate planning applications, which together comprise the first major element of the company’s long term multi-billion Wirral Waters redevelopment of the docks area between Birkenhead and Wallasey.

One application was a detailed proposal for a development with 141 residential units, a small supermarket and restaurants and cafes.

The second application was outline plans for 1,531 residential units, offices, bars and leisure facilities – including buildings up to 40 storeys high.

Mr Ashworth praised Wirral Council and its officers for the detailed report on the two schemes.

An objection from Warner Estates, the owner of the shopping centre in Birkenhead, was heard but councillors were told by planning officers it had not caused them to alter their views of the Peel development, which they had recommended for approval.

The meeting followed embarrassing scenes for Wirral Council planners the previous week after that objection had been missed out and the decision had to be deferred so its implications could be fully considered in the officers’ report.

Following the decision to approve the scheme, Cllr Jean Stapleton, cabinet member for regeneration and planning strategy, said the proposals “offer a unique opportunity for Wirral, the Northwest region and indeed the country and I am very pleased that the first steps to its implementation can now be taken”.

She said: “The plans will totally transform what is currently derelict brownfield land within East Float at Birkenhead Docks and when finished will create over 27,000 jobs.”

Cllr Stapleton said they would be working closely with Peel to ensure local people benefited from the jobs that are created by the scheme.

She added: “All partners have been working hard to ensure that the benefits of such a large scheme are realised by all communities.”