Birkenhead could see "the beginning of a new chapter" as a major development deal has been signed that could see over £300m of private and public investment into the town.
Wirral Council and its partner ION Property Developments Ltd have now signed a master development agreement (MDA) for the Hind Street Urban Village project. This will see the demolition of the flyovers to the Birkenhead tunnel, more than 1,600 new homes, as well as businesses, health facilities, a brand new park, and a primary school.
The agreement is a legal agreement that sets out how the scheme will be delivered over several phases in the next ten to 15 years. The local authority said the project was "a key part of Wirral's ambitious, brownfield-first regeneration programme, which is designed to deliver growth through innovative development and partnerships at sites across the borough."
The scheme has already seen significant financial backing with just under £30m from government housing body Homes England as well as £22.4m from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority. This funding will help prepare the site to deliver the first phase of 633 homes over the next two years.
Work began on the site earlier this year to clear away vegetation as well as surveys to better understand the issues on the site before housebuilding can begin. The site was once previously the banks of the Mersey before being used for industrial purposes.
ION will be responsible for the initial work before leading on delivering the housing to deliver the more than 600 homes promised over the next few years. A final business plan will be presented to councillors at a future date.
Wirral council leader Cllr Paula Basnett, said it was a huge step forward, adding: "This is more than just a housing development, it is the beginning of a new chapter for Birkenhead.
"The Hind Street Urban Village will transform a long-neglected site into a thriving new neighbourhood right at the heart of our borough. It symbolises the best of our brownfield first approach: bold, sustainable regeneration that puts people and place first."
Steve Parry, managing director at ION Developments, said people would invited in the future to view progress on the site, adding: "We have been committed to helping Wirral Council bring forward the Hind Street project for a number of years now, so it is great to reach this formal next stage and sign the agreement.
"Our project team has a clear and deliverable plan for the scheme and we are excited to see the site remediation and infrastructure works gather pace before commencing with the housing construction."
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