Wirral’s bid to avoid “Canary Wharf effect” for Wirral Waters project

Jan 13 2010 by Liam Murphy, Birkenhead News

A £120,000 study into how the multi-billion pound Wirral Waters scheme will help regeneration in Birkenhead is expected to be approved by Wirral Council.

The study, which will include input from developers Peel, will aim to reduce the so-called “Canary Wharf effect” – named after the development in east London.

This is where a high value investment area is produced but “across the road” deprived communities have not benefited from the investment.

The Peel scheme, at Birkenhead docks, is adjacent to some of Wirral’s poorest areas in Birkenhead and Wallasey.

In a report to Wirral Council’s ruling cabinet, Alan Stennard, director of regeneration, said: “Tackling this issue is a very challenging but important factor for the successful delivery of comprehensive regeneration of the Study Area.”

Plans for Wirral Waters were submitted at the end of 2009 and are the largest such application made in the country.

The project, which the company says is expected to be delivered over the next few decades, will provide office/workshop accommodation to support over 20,000 jobs in a broad range of commercial sectors.

The scheme will also include over 13,000 homes aimed at “a diverse mix of people, including families”, plus leisure and culture facilities, and is expected to provide more than 4,000 construction jobs over the life of the entire scheme.