A proposed urban garden village of 1,600 low carbon homes on the site of former gas works in Birkenhead has received a major boost of £29m from Homes England.
- £51m pledged for site remediation
- Former railway to be turned into a linear park
- 1,600 low carbon homes set to be built
Derelict former gas site gets £29m to pave the way for 1,600 new homes
Birkenhead’s former gasworks havemoved closer to being transformed into an urban garden village with the announcement of a £29m investment from Homes England.
Twelve hectares ofdisusedindustrial land around Hind Street will be turned into 1,600 low-carbon homes, a new park, improved transport links, commercial space, a primary school and leisure facilities.
Wirral council leader Paul Stuart said: “This will really help to accelerate our plans to change this part of Birkenhead for the benefit of local communities.
“Enabling us to get started bringing along new homes, public spaces and better-connected living for our residents.”
The £29m investment follows Liverpool City Region Combined Authority’s pledge of £22m towards removing barriers to developing the Hind Street site. These include moving the gas supply to a better location and removing themotorway flyovers serving the Queensway tunnel.
The former Rock Ferry to Bidston Dock railway, dating back to 1862, will be turned into a linear park like New York’s High Line with walking and cycling routes connecting people to local transport links.
Building of first 633 homes to start next year
Wirral council has employed developers Ion to design the scheme and oversee remediation and infrastructure work. Subject to planning approval, the building of the first 633 homes is expected to start in 2025 with completion of the scheme by the end of 2027.
The BuildingDesign Partnership, BDP,has been appointed as the master planner and architect of the scheme and has committed to responding to the historic industrial evolution of the area.
BDParchitect director Mark Braund said: “It will be a place framed in the grid iron plan with views towards local landmarks including the Liverpool skyline, set in a natural bowl creating a sense of distinct identity, and responding to the historic industrial evolution of the area and the remnants of the infrastructure.”
Homes England chief executive Peter Denton said the Liverpool city region was“an area with huge potential for growth” and was somewhere the government had already shown a commitment to.
The government agency has entered a strategic place partnership, SPP, with Liverpool city region combined authority to support locally led housing growth and regeneration.
Finance brokers Hank Zarihs Associates said development finance lenders regarded the region as a prime location and would be keen to offer funding for viable schemes in the area.
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