Wirral Council has finally given the green light for 127 new homes on part of what is currently consumer giant Unilever’s R&D complex in Bebington. Tony McDonough reports
Unilever’s research and development facility in Port Sunlight. Picture by Tony McDonough
Developer Anwyl Homes Cheshire and North Wales will start work this autumn on 127 new homes in Wirral after securing council approval.
In a delegated decision, planners at Wirral Council have given the green light to the construction of the homes on part of what is currently consumer giant Unilever’s R&D complex in Bebington.
Anwyl agreed, subject to planning consent, to acquire the eight-acre site from Unilever, in late 2022. Homes on the scheme will range from one to four-bedroom. A planning application was originally submitted to Wirral Council in 2022.
LBN revealed in May that a decision on the development was “imminent”. This final approval, subject to planning conditions, will mean the sale of the land can now be completed.
In its approval the council said: “The proposal is an acceptable departure from the existing UDP (unitary development plan) as it meets the requirements for an allocated housing site, under the emerging WLP (Wirral Local Plan).
“As a new development, the shortened residential amenity distances are acceptable as no significant impacts are caused on neighbouring properties or future residents and it facilitates a higher density development in a sustainable location.”
It is located close to the Dibbinsdale Nature Reserve. While the council acknowledges there would be some loss of trees it added “this has been adequately compensated for with replacement planting and the enhancement of the existing woodland”.
Speaking last year, Anwyl managing director Phil Dolan, said: “Our plans for the site include green space and a play area, alongside a diverse range of high-quality housing designs. All homes will have private gardens and off-road parking.
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“The site boasts a sustainable location, close to the A41 and major transport links, with strong local amenities. Our proposed development will contribute much needed market and affordable homes to meet local housing needs.
“We’re also proposing a series of footpaths to link the development to the surrounding community including one through existing woodland to the south west.”
Unilever operates a large personal care manufacturing complex in Port Sunlight. The R&D site is in Bebington, separated from the factory by a road and a railway. It houses hundreds of scientists and support staff.
Part of the Unilever R&D complex will make way for 127 homes. Picture by Tony McDonough
Part of the R&D site, a plot adjacent to Quarry Road East and part of St Andrew’s Road, was put up for sale by Unilever in 2020.
Unilever staff will vacate buildings on that part of the site. Among the buildings to be demolished is the 230,000 sq ft office and lab facility used for developing products and prototypes.
However, other buildings in the complex, including the Manufacturing Technology Centre and the recently built Advanced Manufacturing Centre, are not affected by the sale.
Unilever will use proceeds from the sale, which were undisclosed, to modernise its laboratory facilities. Some staff may relocate to the Materials Innovation Factory at the University of Liverpool.
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