Two more large scale projects have been unveiled for the Wirral Waters scheme, the multi-billion pound Peel Group regeneration vision for Merseyside’s Wirral Peninsula.
The first is being proposed by Peel itself — the real estate and transport group behind the £4.5bn rolling 30-year development — and involves the transformation of the former 60-acre Mobil oil storage site on the West Float. Part of the Advanced Supplier Park (ASP), Peel claims its 175,000 sq ft energy sector manufacturing facility will be “transformational”.
According to a planning application filed with Wirral Borough Council, the plant will make large, pressurised metal components for use in the energy sector. It is being developed in a joint venture between two un-named, “blue chip manufacturing organisations”.
“This project is of global significance, being one of only a handful of facilities with this capability and expertise in the world,” Peel claimed in its planning statement. “The proposal is also of national importance, being a catalytic and transformational project within the context of the national energy sector that is supported by central government.”
A company spokesman added: “This initiative — which is within the Mersey Waters Enterprise Zone — is currently undergoing a staged approval process and remains subject to a number of significant external governing factors. There will be a further update in due course.”
The ASP site on Beaufort Road is next to the planned 500,000 sq ft International Trade Centre development, scheduled to go-ahead only when a viable range of tenants have agreed pre-lets.
Wirral Borough Council is also making its own contribution to the regeneration of the abandoned Birkenhead Docks with an off-shore survival centre. The 14,000 sq ft training facility has been designed for those working in the renewable energy sector.
Work on the first Wirral Waters development inside the enterprise zone started just before Christmas. The flagship Tower Wharf project will see construction of a four-storey office building on what is currently a cleared, but partly contaminated site.
The 48,000 sq ft block will eventually provide workspace for as many as 800 staff. “The local authority has been extremely helpful throughout the planning and pre-commencement process, and we are also grateful for the support of the European Regional Development Fund, and the Homes and Communities Agency, who were the former landowners,” commented Karl Bergh, managing director at Longmeadow Estates.
The developer has previously completed schemes for the housing association Magenta Living and Merseyside Estates, as well as local Birkenhead-based call centre business, The Contact Company.
Wirral council leader, Phil Davies, described the office project as having “huge importance” by kick-starting the regeneration of the enterprise zone. “It is a significant step in our vision to regenerate Wirral, and demonstrates that even at a time of such economic difficulties we continue to make significant progress towards the delivery of our ambitious investment strategy,” he said.
“The challenge for us now is to ensure we can deliver real benefits for the residents and businesses of Wirral and the Liverpool City region.”
Mirrored by the Liverpool Waters project on the opposite bank of the River Mersey, Peel’s ultimate vision for its Wirral scheme is the creation of five-million square feet of Grade A office space alongside waterfront hotels, bars, restaurants and 15,000 apartments.
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