Wirral wind farm business park could create “hundreds of new jobs”

Mar 11 2013 by Liam Murphy, Liverpool Echo

HUNDREDS of new jobs are expected to be created in Merseyside with a multi-million pound Wirral business park specialising in the offshore windfarm industry.

A four-acre site in Birkenhead has been earmarked for the scheme which will fulfil demand from supply-chain businesses supporting the lucrative industry.

Wirral council is proposing to buy the site on Campbeltown Road, in Birkenhead, adjacent to the Cammell Laird site, known as Maritime Business Park.

Pat Hackett, council cabinet member for regeneration, said the site, which will accommodate three 10,000 sq ft units, “will give us much-needed industrial space”.

The authority also hopes to have the site available to host Wirral-based events as part of the 61 day International Festival of Business to be held in 2014.

Cllr Hackett said: “This will be fantastic – next to the world- renowned Cammell Laird, with all its great history and a site which is now being used in a much more modern way. But, of even more importance will be the opportunity to create new jobs. We are talking about hundreds of new jobs which will be much- needed at a time like this.”

A report going to Wirral council’s ruling cabinet this week recommends the authority proceed with negotiations to buy the Campbeltown Road site, which it says will “open up supply chain and export opportunities in this expanding industry” which “presents a huge opportunity for Wirral”.

It said: “Here 1,000 turbines are planned, the value of which is estimated to be in the region of £18bn and with an industry calculation of 4.5 jobs per installed turbine.”

The council believes there are Wirral companies and non- Wirral companies who are looking for new premises in the borough, with a number of these operating in the offshore wind sector and Maritime Business Park will help meet their needs.

The same report also advises that the council enters into negotiations with Cammell Laird to sell or lease to the company a council-owned car park and slipway at Alabama Way.

This would allow the company to develop a facility for Operations and Maintenance (O&M) in Wirral.

Cammell Laird currently has O&M sites at Liverpool Docks and Mostyn, in North Wales, and could lead to further jobs.