First step in Wirral Waters’ development should take place next year

Jun 8 2011 by Matt Hurst, Birkenhead News

THE FIRST concrete step in the development of Wirral Waters should be taken next year, after a planning application for Peels’ International Trade Centre was lodged.

Peel director, Lindsey Ashworth told the News there will be “£10bn on the doorstep of this trade centre”, if the proposal is accepted by Wirral Council’s planning committee.

The development would be entirely unique in the UK and could create more than 3,000 new jobs once complete.

As a concept the trade centre is well-established in China, and is aimed squarely at retailers and manufacturers.

Lindsey Ashworth said: “If you’ve got a corner shop and would like to sell products from overseas, you’re not going to go to China.

“Here, people can go in, touch the goods, feel the goods, get them ordered and sell them through their shops.”

The application has been submitted in outline for all phases.

It will comprise four separate multi-level buildings, totalling around 230,000 square metres of floor space.