Plans to help deliver nearly 3,000 'vibrant' homes look set to go ahead
The plans could see major changes to four areas
Plans to help deliver nearly 3,000 homes and set up new businesses are expected to move forward.
Wirral Council officers are asking councillors at an economy and regeneration committee on July 16 to approve four different masterplans which outline proposed developments in specific areas. The report brought before the committee said these are for areas set to change significantly and require “a coordinated and comprehensive approach.”
The masterplans will be used to support the council’s draft Local Plan by supporting cases for grant funding. The Local Plan, which outlines expected developments over the next two decades, is currently being assessed and scrutinised by the government. It currently designates no green belt sites for development.
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One masterplan up for approval is the Cleveland Street neighbourhood which aims “to introduce new homes to create a vibrant, mixed-use neighbourhood” in what is an area dominated by business at the moment. The plan is to look at relocating some of these to areas like Northside to make way for “the opportunity to provide up to 1,200 new homes in the area, with the aim of at least 60% of these being family sized.”
Northside which will cover much of the area north of Dock Road in Seacombe will focus on providing land for employment purposes. According to the report, “discussions are ongoing with landowners, developers and businesses seeking sites/new accommodation, and the financial incentives associated with the Freeport status should help overcome development viability issues that are likely to arise as a result of previous land uses.”
The Dock Branch neighbourhood plan is also up for approval which promises development along an old railway line Wirral Council hopes will become a new park. The aim is to “deliver the transformation of the area into a thriving residential led mixed use urban community at the heart of Birkenhead” with up to 1,200 new homes made up of terraces, townhouses, maisonettes and apartments.
New Brighton’s masterplan is also up for approval which includes plans for up to 495 homes, new hotels, and a major redevelopment of the seaside resort in the long term. Wirral Council said this will be “high-quality, attractive and vibrant” and could feature new landmark buildings.
However the local authority’s officers argue more work needs to be done on plans for Seacombe. Several other masterplans are also in development from the area around Wallasey Town Hall to the Birkenhead waterfront and town centre with updates expected latest this year.
Proposals for Birkenhead town centre are also being reviewed after the controversial decision to relocate Birkenhead Market. According to a budget update report for July 16, another option is being brought forward for the former House of Fraser site “to develop residential space comprising of one bed and two bed apartments over 137,000 sq. ft” with plans for retail, leisure, and health activities on the ground floor.
However the funding for the former department store on Grange Road has a deadline of March 2025 for any housing to be delivered. Due to the changes taking place, the council will also be reviewing its 2040 Framework for Birkenhead, a major document that outlines plans for the town and underpins the draft Local Plan.
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