The 1.4 million square foot masterplan to bring forward the transformation of Birkenhead town centre has been approved by Wirral Council’s planners.
The new masterplan for the town centre aims to deliver a highly-accessible central business district with new energy-efficient office buildings.
It will be set within extensive public and green spaces, and Wirral Council will occupy part of the new office buildings.
Further phases will see a new replacement market to drive a new daytime and evening economy not seen before in the town, while helping to kick-start the wider regeneration with new family homes and apartments.
The central business district is seen by the council and Wirral Growth Company as the key to unlocking the wider regeneration of Birkenhead town centre, which Wirral Council is progressing through national programmes such as the £25m Future High Streets Fund awarded at the end of last year, and a £45m bid to the Towns Fund scheme. It is anticipated that Government will be making an announcement regarding the outcome of the Towns Fund bid within the next few months.
Wirral Growth Company is a 50:50 joint venture between Wirral Council and national urban regenerator, Muse Developments, set up to deliver a long-term vision for regeneration, which will improve homes, lives and communities in key areas across the borough.
AHR Architects are masterplanners for the project, with Barton Willmore acting as planning consultants on behalf of the growth company. The demolition of Milton Pavements, the first phase of development, is currently underway.
The decision on Thursday April 29 by Wirral Council’s Strategic Applications sub committee was to formally approve development of the land to the north of Pyramids Shopping centre (incorporating land north and south of Conway Street, and north-west of Europa Boulevard.
It also comes as the council continues the major consultation on the future of the whole of Birkenhead and parts of the surrounding area. Last month Wirral Council released the detailed consultation documents outlining the vision for ensuring the town has a thriving, sustainable future.
The proposals are contained in a major document called the Birkenhead 2040 Framework.
If you haven’t already, you can find out more and take part in the consultation using the online portal, where there is the full Birkenhead 2040 Framework document, or for those who want a shorter version there is a Summary document. In addition, there is a short video explainer as well as a questionnaire which will allow you to tell us what you think of this vision, if you have more ideas, or if you would like to get involved. Consultation opened on Wednesday, March 24 and continues for eight weeks.
View the 2040 consultation documents and take part in the consultation here.