Plans for a new market, "super crossing" and two major office blocks complete with takeaways and bars have been submitted as the masterplan to transform Birkenhead takes a big step forward.
The application by the Wirral Growth Company (WGC) has provided a fresh boost to the town centre, which has been in decline for decades.
The submission had been delayed by several months due to the coronavirus pandemic, but is aimed at revitalising Birkenhead town centre to the north of the Pyramids Shopping Centre. The exciting plans revealed this week also include greater public open space and a modern residential quarter.
According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, a key aim of the project is to reduce the number of vacant units in the town, while overhauling office space and leisure facilities by introducing new food and drink offerings and retail outlets - making Birkenhead a more attractive place to be in the evening.
Flexible outdoor spaces for activities and events are also part of the plans, as is improved pedestrian, cycling and public transport access.
The overall project to regenerate Birkenhead town centre is being run by the WGC, a 50/50 partnership between Wirral Council and urban regeneration specialists Muse, who have been involved in transformation efforts in Liverpool, Warrington, Manchester and other parts of the North West over the last 30 years.
Birkenhead’s redevelopment will be delivered over several phases throughout the next 15 years, with the first phase being the commercial district.
This will see two five-storey office buildings developed, with retail and leisure units such as hot food takeaways and drinking outlets to occupy the ground floor, with business office space to be concentrated above.
WGC is applying for full planning permission for this aspect of the regeneration agenda, meaning it is closer to being delivered than if outline planning permission was being sought.
The most eye-catching proposals in the application are a new site for Birkenhead Market, a ‘super-crossing’ at Conway Street and a new residential quarter.
These plans will take longer to be delivered, as WGC is only seeking outline planning permission, but Birkenhead and Tranmere councillor Pat Cleary said it is a very exciting time to be living in the town.
Cllr Cleary, the leader of the Green Party in Wirral Council, added: “I think the plan coming forward is very positive news.
“It was originally expected towards the end of last year, it’s now about nine months late because of the pandemic. But it’s welcome given everything we’ve been through in the meantime.”
Cllr Cleary was keen to focus on the transport impact of the plans. He believes they will lead to a town which is more friendly to pedestrians and cyclists.
In his view Birkenhead is currently designed to help people commute from the town and does not have a properly integrated transport approach which is green and which encourages people into the centre to help the economy thrive.
Cllr Cleary said plans such as the ‘super-crossing’ on Conway Street could be key to reversing this problem and linking the town centre up with great assets in the local area, such as Hamilton Square, the waterfront, Birkenhead Park and the emerging Wirral Waters development.
The planning statement submitted by WGC shows the scale of the challenge regenerating Birkenhead will be.
It read: “[Birkenhead] has long been experiencing a steady decline of traditional port-related industries over the past 50 years and no longer provides an attractive offer for businesses seeking office or creative spaces.
“The retail core of Birkenhead has seen vacancy rates increase and the deterioration of the public realm.”
But with a long-term commitment to its proposals, WGC hopes to overcome the doom and gloom.
The statement continued: “The vision [of the regeneration plan] intends to accelerate growth by delivering development projects that bring new life and investment into the town centre through a strong commercial heart, new residential quarter and revitalised retail and leisure facilities.”
