Wirral reveals masterplan to unlock New Brighton’s ‘underlying potential’
A new lido, theatre plaza, and land train form part of the local authority’s vision for the seaside town’s future.
Wirral Council has launched a consultation on its New Brighton Marine Promenade masterplan, which features a raft of proposals for the area stretching from Rowson Street to the Floral Pavilion. The consultation will run until 4 December and can be accessed at haveyoursay.wirral.gov.uk.
The draft masterplan, drawn up by BDP, describes New Brighton as “not a resort in need of reinvention, but a special town by the sea that still has underlying potential.” Through the masterplan, the council hopes to reignite the resort’s momentum following the £80m of private investment in the Marine Point leisure and retail facility in 2011.
Proposals indicate that the area has the potential to welcome apartment blocks of up to 350 homes, as well as 300-bedroom hotels. A new lido in the Marine Lake is also proposed to take the form of a pool, gym, or sports court.
Other ideas being put forward include a land train to provide better transport in and out of the town and a theatre plaza making better use of the space outside the Floral Pavilion for events.
Furthermore, the council would like to see “much-improved connections” from the Marine Promenade to the Victoria Quarter, including creating spaces for people to shelter from the wind.
The project team for the development includes Aspinall Verdi, Colliers, and Warrington Martin.
Wirral Council has held two phases of public consultation so far in order to gauge what local people, businesses, and visitors would like to see in the wider New Brighton area and shape the masterplan.
Cllr Tony Jones, chair of Wirral Council’s economy, regeneration, and housing committee, said: “New Brighton has seen a lot of investment relatively recently but that is just a starting point – the town needs much more intervention to re-establish it, and make the most of this fantastic place to live, work, and of course to visit.
“I understand people will be keen to see work moving ahead and I share that, but it is absolutely vital that whatever changes we bring forward are done in the spirit of partnership.”
