Wirral Waters

Coordinates: 53°23′05″N 3°00′39″W / 53.3846°N 3.0109°W / 53.3846; -3.0109 Wirral Waters is a large scale £4.5bn development that has been proposed by the Peel Group for Birkenhead, on the Wirral Peninsula, England.^[1] It is the sister programme of the Liverpool Waters project. Since 2012 the two projects have enjoyed enterprise zone status, together forming the Mersey Waters Enterprise Zone.^[2]

Design

To regenerate a largely unused series of dock spaces in the area, the main part of the plan may eventually see the creation of 5,000,000 square feet (465,000 m²) of modern office space at the East Float and Vittoria Dock. This is alongside a waterfront hotel^[3] bars, restaurants, other leisure facilities & 15,000 apartments which would be housed in a series of tall, modern towers. Three of these towers are designed to achieve fifty storeys.^[4]

A dedicated development is also proposed at the site of the former Bidston Dock, close to the M53 motorway and the Kingsway road tunnel to Liverpool. This will encompass an additional 571,000 square feet (53,000 m²) of retail and leisure facilities.^[4]

The architectural practice Broadway Malyan^[5] have been employed by Peel, and are responsible for the overall design of the development. Broadway Malyan are also responsible for the design of the redevelopment of Mann Island, across the River Mersey, in Liverpool.

If achieved, the plan will increase dramatically the amount of business space available in the wider conurbation. Addressing an imbalance that has seen the area develop 5,000,000 square feet (465,000 m²) less office space than other urban centres of a similar profile. It is estimated by the developers that the scheme may lead to the creation of over 27,000 permanent jobs.^[6]

Preparatory activity

Peel purchased the Cammell Laird shipyard, in January 2007, to facilitate the development.^[7]

Timescale

The scheme was revealed to the public in September 2006, after 18 months of design, whilst at a consultative stage. Peel stated that the project may take up to 30 years, before it is fully realised, meaning the development may not be completed until the year 2041. Local councillors welcomed the proposals.^[6]

The developers intended to submit proposals to the Wirral Council by Christmas 2008.^[8] This did not happen and on 2 November 2009, the developers stated they would post the application soon.^[9] However, they threatened to pull out of the scheme if the Government called a public inquiry into it.^[10]

On 3 August 2010, the Wirral Waters Scheme was given full approval by Wirral Council's Planning Committee. This would lead to one of the UK's biggest developments over the next decade.^[11] On 29 November 2010 the project cleared the final planning hurdle after being given full Government approval.^[12]

On 6 January 2011, Prime Minister David Cameron together with Lord Heseltine met with members of Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council who were given a presentation of the scheme, followed by a tour of the site.^[13]

Planning permission was granted for an International Trade Centre, within the Birkenhead dockland, in September 2011.^[14]

In April 2014, Wirral Metropolitan College announced plans for a new campus. The campus is intended for the development of skills needed for realising the Wirral Waters project.^[15]

Plans were submitted for a 60,000 square feet (5,600 m²) office building at Tower Wharf, in May 2014.^[16]

References

External links

• Official site