Ion’s 1,500-home Birkenhead masterplan secures council backing
Wirral has given planning permission to proposals to transform 65 acres of former gas works into a residential community, paving the way for work to start.
Planning approval for the 1,500-home project is the latest hurdle cleared by Ion Property Developments, which secured £51m of funding for infrastructure – including the creation of Dock Branch Park – last year.
The funding came from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and Homes England as part of a wider strategic partnership between the organisations.
With funding and planning approval secured, work on the first phase could begin later this year.
Phase one of Hind Street would see 633 homes and 14,000 sq ft of commercial space developed across 27 acres off Borough Road.
The second phase at the north of the site will comprise additional homes, a primary school, and the eventual demolition of the Mersey Tunnel flyovers.
Once fully complete, the development will provide almost 650,000 sq ft of commercial space across the 65-acre development.
Rob Mason, development director at Ion Developments, said: “We are pleased that the application has passed this next stage of agreement and this is another crucial step forward for our exciting plans for Hind Street.
“This is a complex project and we are grateful to the Council’s planning team for the diligent and proactive way they have approached it to date.
“We now look forward to beginning remediation of the site and implementing key infrastructure works on the first phase to the south of Hind Street later this year.”
BDP is the architect and masterplanner for the project, with WSP as the planning, transport, and environmental consultant. Curtins and Planit are also advising.
To learn more about the project, search for reference number OUT/23/01259 on Wirral Council’s planning portal.
Cllr Paul Stuart, Leader of Wirral Council said: “Hind Street is a key element of our ambitious regeneration programme, in this case unlocking a brownfield site which has remained empty for many years to deliver much needed new homes, close to the town centre of Birkenhead.
“We are totally committed to changing this part of Birkenhead for the benefit of local communities and our plans for regeneration go beyond just building – we are focussed on boosting Wirral’s economy in the long term, reducing inequalities, creating employment opportunities and improving the health and wellbeing of those individuals and families who are making their homes and lives in our borough.”
Eamonn Boylan, interim chief executive of Homes England, said: “The Hind Street project is a perfect example of Homes England’s mission in action, to support local and combined authority partners in bringing brownfield sites back to life by building new homes and creating thriving places.
“We’re encouraged to see progress being made on the project, planning approval is an important step in any regeneration project and this significant milestone enables Wirral Council and partners to begin the work of preparing the site before the creation of new homes, green space and leisure facilities can start.
“We look forward to seeing the project begin to take shape and the council’s ambitious plans for the regeneration of Birkenhead come to life.”
Liverpool corporation built many really good council houses in the first half of the twentieth century with their ‘direct works’ The last seventy years have been a bit hit and miss.Now their is an opportunity to build quality affordable houses for families
By Anonymous
Great news. Key to this will be the removal of the flyovers and the work around Central Station. Well done, Steve Parry and team for staying the course on this.
By Birket Boy
Of course, one if the real successes is when we see local universities and colleges with an increased uptake of new students as a result of the new jobs the design and construction teams of these wonderful plans will create. Over to you ION Developments.
By Anonymous
How many of these houses are going to be affordable to rent ?Are they going to be social housing given the current situation with families living in hostels,homelessness and living in sub standard accommodation.
By Gillian Willett
Believe it when I see it, but seriously hope it happens, everything is so slow and for me the developer is hit and miss.
By Anonymous