An ambitious masterplan to transform a 1.4m sq ft of land in Birkenhead town centre has been approved by Wirral Council’s planning team.

The development aims to deliver a highly accessible central business district with new energy-efficient Grade A office space within an extensive public realm and green space. The council will occupy part of the new office space as part of its commitment to improving its carbon footprint and reducing occupancy of costly and inefficient buildings within its estate.

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Further phases of the scheme will see a new market built to create a vibrant daytime and evening economy not witnessed before in the town – helping to kickstart the wider regeneration of the Leftbank urban development area with new family homes and apartments.

The central business district is key to unlocking the wider regeneration of Birkenhead, which is being progressed with the help of national investment programmes including £25m from the Future High Streets Fund and hopefully £45m through the Towns Fund scheme which will be announced shortly by Government.

Wirral Growth Company – a JV between Muse and Wirral Council – aim to deliver a “long-term vision for regeneration which will improve homes, lives and communities in key areas across the borough.”

Mike Horner, Development Director at Muse Developments and a Director at Wirral Growth Company, said: “Delivering major programmes of regeneration in our towns and cities takes time and requires a meticulous approach from all partners, to make sure we get things right. We’re proud to receive consent on our ambitious masterplan and reach the latest milestone in our commitment to repurposing key areas of the Wirral, to drive investment, opportunities and prosperity for all.”

“This is a pivotal moment for the partnership as we get ready to start on site in the coming months and realise our collective vision for Birkenhead and the wider Wirral.”

Alan Evans, Director of Regeneration and Place at Wirral Council, said: “The significance of this decision can’t be understated. This is a crucial time for Birkenhead and the whole Leftbank area of the River Mersey.

“The central business district will provide a catalyst for the rest of the town centre and extend out into the surrounding neighbourhoods and beyond. We are grateful to our partners at Muse Developments as part of the Wirral Growth Company for their efforts in securing this important part of Birkenhead’s future.

“We are currently consulting on the ambitious 20-year vision for the town through the Birkenhead 2040 Framework.This will see the transformation and re-population of the town with the creation of a series of new high-quality neighbourhoods, a new urban linear park to complement Birkenhead Park and a world-class mixed-use waterfront.

“I would urge anyone who hasn’t already looked at the plans and had their say to do so.”

AHR Architects are masterplanners for the project, with Barton Willmore acting as planning consultants on behalf of the growth company.

Greg Dickson, Planning Director at Barton Wilmore, said: “The approval of Wirral Growth Company’s hybrid planning application is a landmark moment for the future of Birkenhead. The application has been informed by a rigorous three-stage consultation exercise, that provided a deliverable 15-year plan to breathe new life and investment into the town centre.

“This includes a new commercial heart, alongside residential neighbourhoods and revitalised retail and leisure facilities that have been designed to build on the town’s existing assets and draw inspiration from its maritime location.”

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