Wirral Waters is poised to become one of the largest redevelopment projects in the North West, with a number of schemes already underway. The latest addition to be granted planning approval by Wirral Council is the Tower Wharf building, which will add a total of 48,000 sq ft of Grade A office accommodation to the site.
Due to be completed by October 2015, the Tower Wharf building is the second major development to be given the go ahead within Wirral Wharf. The four-storey property is expected to create around 400 jobs in the area and will breathe new life into what is presently a vacant plot of derelict land.
Wirral-based Longmeadow Estates Ltd will spearhead the project, having submitted the planning proposal to Wirral Council earlier this year. Now that permission has been granted for construction to begin, and financial support has been given by the European Regional Development Fund, the firm expects work to begin on site early next month.
Councillor Phil Davies, leader of Wirral Council, says; “This is another positive, major development on the Wirral Waters site, which will see considerable economic benefits for the borough.
“It is a very welcome step and we will be working closely with the developer in the coming months to ensure the success of the scheme – the development will bring high quality office space and further significant employment opportunities to Birkenhead and the surrounding area.
“This project further builds on discussions that took place at the Open Championship, which also resulted in the announcement of the creation of 100 new jobs.”
Wirral Waters forms part of the wider “Mersey Waters” Enterprise Zones, which focuses on improving the area’s business services, advanced manufacturing and engineering, automotive, healthcare, pharmaceutical and energy offering. As one of 24 enterprise zones in the country, Mersey Waters benefits from 100 per cent business rates relief for the first five years, along with fast-tracked planning to allow developments to progress quickly.
Although no tenants have as yet been confirmed for Tower Wharf, according to the Liverpool Echo Longmeadow Estates has already initiated discussions with a potential interested party and has reached a “well advanced” position in negotiations. The remainder of the office space will be let out as the property nears completion.
The building has been designed by Falconer Chester Hall, Liverpool based architects who have a working history with Longmeadow Estates in projects for Magenta Living and The Contact Company.
Managing director of Falconer Chester Hall, Adam Hall, says; “We have referenced the building’s location in its design to reflect the trading vessels which once would have stood in the nearby docks.
“It has also been designed to achieve the BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating for sustainability.”
With Tower Wharf and the Wirral Metropolitan College’s new campus both gaining planning approval this week, it appears that developments are set to accelerate within Wirral Waters. Hopefully, by this time next year, the Enterprise Zone will be booming with new businesses and contributing to the local economy.
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