Major Birkenhead town centre transformation gets green light

Wirral Council has approved plans by the Wirral Growth Company (a 50:50 joint venture between Wirral Council and national urban regenerator, Muse Developments) for a major transformation of Birkenhead town centre.

The masterplan for the town centre, which was developed following an extensive period of consultation with the Wirral community, will deliver a highly-accessible central business district with new energy-efficient Grade A office buildings set within extensive public realm and green space.

Wirral 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.

The central business district is said to be key to unlocking the wider regeneration of Birkenhead, 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.

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.”

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.”

The first phase of development is anticipated to be on site in the middle of this year.