Developer finally picked to overhaul New Ferry explosion site 

Wirral Council has appointed Regenda Group to deliver 71 homes on the site of a devastating gas explosion five years ago.

Regenda Group is now working with Wirral Council to draw up detailed plans for the regeneration of New Ferry, with M&Y Maintenance and Construction in line to build the scheme. 

“People shouldn’t underestimate the significance of this announcement,” said Cllr Tony Jones, chair of Wirral Council’s economy, regeneration and development committee. 

“The regeneration of New Ferry is, and has been since the gas explosion in March 2017, a top priority for the council. However, it has been and remains a complex and long-term process due to the majority of the land and buildings earmarked within the masterplan being in private ownership.” 

The gas explosion at a shop in March 2017 destroyed six businesses and left almost 90 people homeless. 

A man named Pascal Blasio was sentenced to 20 years in jail in October 2019 after being found guilty of causing the explosion in an attempt to claim insurance. 

In the intervening years, Wirral has worked to bring affected sites under council ownership and is now in a position to redevelop the area. 

“It has taken investment and a lot of hard work to get us to the point,” Jones added. 

“[We have] a great deal of confidence that, together, we will deliver the New Ferry Masterplan within the next couple of years.” 

From left: Cllr Tony Jones (chair of the economy, regeneration and development committee, Wirral Council), Stephanie Harrison (executive director operations customer service, Regenda Homes) and Alan Evans (director, regeneration and place, Wirral Council) Credit: via Wirral Council

The development will feature 20 one- and two-bedroom apartments and 31 two-, three- and four-bedroom houses, which will be available for rent to buy through Liverpool-based property company Redwing. 

A further 14 one- and two-bedroom apartments, plus six two-bedroom houses, will be built for affordable rent through social housing provider Regenda Homes. 

Stephanie Harrison, executive director operations customer service for Regenda Homes, said: “We’re delighted to have been selected to work alongside Wirral Council and the residents of New Ferry on this vitally important regeneration.  

“Our proposed plans meet the critical demand for affordable rent and homeownership in the area and we look forward to sharing them with the public in due course. As a local company with a strong community focus, we have pledged to create opportunities for local schools, colleges and young people no longer in education or training throughout and hope to deliver many benefits to the wider community, who collectively have been through so much since the incident.” 

The council is being supported in its work to regenerate New Ferry by Avison Young. BDP drew up the masterplan for the site. 

Edward Blight, associate at Avison Young, added: “It’s been a pleasure to work with the council to secure a partner to bring forward much needed investment in New Ferry. The proposals for the centre will introduce new homes and reinvigorate the high street – leveraging the money we secured with the council through the Future High Street Fund in 2020.” 

The Regenda Group will submit a detailed planning application to Wirral Council’s planning committee towards the end of summer.