Approval tipped for £1bn Birkenhead regen  

Two five-storey office buildings totalling 190,000 sq ft form the first part of Wirral Council and Muse Developments’ town centre regeneration scheme, due to be approved by the authority next week. 

Wirral Growth Company, the council and Muse’s 50:50 joint venture, lodged plans for the £1bn overhaul of Birkenhead town centre last August. 

The joint venture is seeking full planning consent for the two office buildings, to be constructed on plot A of the 27-acre masterplan, the site of the Milton Pavements shopping complex that Wirral Growth Company bought last year. 

In December, demolition specialist PP O’Connor was appointed to knock down part of the retail complex to clear the way for a start on site. 

Other elements of the scheme, for which outline consent is sought, include an additional 90,000 sq ft offices and 36,000 sq ft of retail, as well as the relocation of the town’s market. 

Wirral Council selected Muse as its development partner in 2018

Around 650 homes, a 110-bedroom hotel, and a 300-space car park also feature in the outline portion of the application. 

The development site stretches from the Pyramid Shopping Centre of the A552, to Price Street, where Europa Boulevard ends, and includes 10 individual plots.

Commercial and retail units, including Birkenhead Market, the grade two-listed Crown pub, a Vue Cinema, a Wilko Store and a Mecca Bingo, as well as vacant land to the north of Conway Park Station, all fall within the parameters of the site.

Earlier this year, the council bought the 70,000 sq ft House of Fraser building, next to the Pyramid Shopping Centre, to facilitate the town centre regeneration scheme. 

In February, Birkenhead was awarded £24m towards the project from the Government’s Future High Streets Fund, much of which is earmarked for the creation of a new market building. 

If the council’ strategic applications sub-committee grants Wirral Growth Company planning permission for the project on 29 April, the scheme will be referred to the Secretary of State for final sign-off. 

AHR Architects is the masterplanner for the project, and Barton Willmore is the planning consultant. 

Gillespies is the landscape architect, Hannan Associates is the building services engineering and utilities consultant, and Curtins is the structural and civil engineering consultant and Walker Sime is contract administrator.