Ion inks 1,400-home Birkenhead agreement
Wirral Council has appointed Ion Developments to draw up a hybrid planning application for a low-carbon urban village across 30 acres around Hind Street.
Ion, which owns part of the site, will also undertake site investigations, masterplanning and viability work for the council to pave the way for the 1,400-home Birkenhead scheme.
Ion’s appointment as development manager has been made under the Pagabo Developer Led Framework.
Wirral Council and Ion hope to bring forward up to 1,400 homes at Hind Street, supporting the authority’s aim of delivering 13,360 properties across the peninsula between now and 2037.
“This is a hugely significant site adjacent to Birkenhead town centre,” said Cllr Tony Jones, chair of Wirral Council’s economy, regeneration and housing committee.
“The proposals for residential development here are incredibly exciting and not only will this help Wirral meet the demand for housing but it aligns with what people have been telling the council; that they want to see brownfield sites like this used for housing development.”
As well as homes, the 10-year Hind Street project, located close to Birkenhead town centre and its two railway stations, could also see the delivery of mixed-use and commercial buildings in later phases.
It is also expected that Dock Branch Park, the proposed green space running through the town centre utilising the former railway line, will extend to the south as far as Green Lane to improve the sustainability and connectivity of the scheme.
“The regeneration of the Hind Street area is a key component of the regeneration of Birkenhead,” said Steve Parry, managing director of Ion.
“It will create a new vibrant neighbourhood that will directly connect to and support the resurgence of the town centre, while also being perfectly located for access to Liverpool city centre.
“We are seeking to deliver an innovative, high-quality environment which will be an exemplar for future residential developments within the town. Future residents will enjoy the perfect balance of life in a green urban village, with excellent access across the region through public transport links.”
BDP is the architect for Hind Street, WSP is advising on planning and Planit-IE is the landscape architect.
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Really hope this is high quality, inner-city residential design, and not a sprawl of boring semis that have no place in central Birkenhead, but it`s good to see the bandwagon still rolling and the re-population of the area ongoing. Look forward to the day when the early morning ferries are loaded with commuters heading across the river for work and leisure.
By Anonymous