Wirral Waters

Wirral Waters is a large scale £4.5bn development that has been proposed by the company Peel Holdings for Birkenhead, on the Wirral Peninsula, England. [ [http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-news/regional-news/2008/09/16/market-shoppers-acquire-a-taste-for-wirral-waters-development-64375-21824159/ "Market shoppers acquire a taste for Wirral Waters development"] , Liam Murphy, Liverpool Daily Post, 16 September 2008] It is a sister programme of the Liverpool Waters project.

Design

To regenerate a largely unused series of dock spaces in the area, the main part of the plan may eventually see the creation of convert|5000000|sqft|m2|-3 of modern office space at the East Float and Vittoria Dock. This is alongside a waterfront hotel [cite news |first=Craig |last=Manning |title=Go ahead given for waterfront hotel plans |url=http://www.wirralglobe.co.uk/mostpopular.var.2272753.mostviewed.go_ahead_given_for_waterfront_hotel_plans.php |work= |publisher=Wirral Globe |date=2008-05-18 |accessdate=2008-06-12 ] bars, restaurants, other leisure facilities & 15,000 apartments which would be housed in a series of tall, modern towers. Three of these towers are designed to achieve fifty storeys.citeweb|url=http://www.wirralwaters.co.uk/news/050906.pdf|title=Peel unveil plans for £4.5 billion 'Wirral Waters' scheme|work=Peel Holdings|date=2006-09-05|accessdate=2008-03-01]

A dedicated development is also proposed at the site of the former Bidston Dock, close to the M53 motorway and the Kingsway road tunnel to Liverpool. This will encompass an additional convert|571000|sqft|m2|-2 of retail and leisure facilities.

The architectural practice Broadway Malyan [ [http://www.broadwaymalyan.com/news/articles/4.5-billion-wirral-waters-scheme-unveiled.cfm?latest=1 Broadway Malyan] ] have been employed by Peel, and are responsible for the overall design of the development. Broadway Malyan are also responsible for the design of the redevelopment of Mann Island, across the River Mersey, in Liverpool.

If achieved, the plan will increase dramatically the amount of business space available in the wider conurbation. Addressing an imbalance that has seen the area develop convert|5000000|sqft|m2|-3 less office space than other urban centres of a similar profile. It is estimated by the developers that the scheme may lead to the creation of over 27,000 permanent jobs.citeweb|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/liverpool/content/articles/2006/09/06/wirral_waters_feature.shtml|title=Wirral’s skyline to rival New York|work=BBC Liverpool|date=2006-09-06|accessdate=2007-02-20]

Preparatory activity

Peel purchased the Cammell Laird shipyard, in January 2007, to facilitate the development. [ [http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-29333222_ITM?email=[e-mail]&library= "Wirral Waters scheme"] , Planning (UK), 12 January 2007]

Timescale

The scheme was revealed to the public in September 2006, after 18 months of design, and is still at a consultative stage. Peel have stated that the project may take up to 30 years, before it is fully realised. Local councillors have welcomed the proposals.

The developers intend to submit proposals to the Wirral Council by Christmas 2008. [ [http://www.wirralnews.co.uk/wirral-news/local-wirral-news/2008/09/10/threat-to-wirral-waters-scheme-as-firm-threatens-to-withdraw-80491-21714375/ "Threat to Wirral Waters scheme as firm threatens to withdraw"] , Sue McCann, Birkenhead News, 10 September 2008] However, they have threatened to pull out of the scheme if the Government calls a public inquiry into it. [ [http://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/dailynews/2008/09/peel_holdings_threatens_to_pull_out_of_10bn_mersey_waters_schemes.html "Peel Holdings threatens to pull out of £10 billion Broadway Malyan Merseyside schemes"] , The Architects' Journal, Richard Vaughan, 9 September 2008]

References

External links

* [http://www.peelwaters.co.uk/wirralwaters.html Official site]