A former biofuels site next to the River Mersey and close to Bromborough Dock in Wirral will become a new housing development comprising 975 homes. Tony McDonough reports
A former biofuels site close to Bromborough Dock and Port Sunlight River Park will see the construction of 975 new homes.
Grammont Group and Black Pearl Homes have secured planning consent from Wirral Council for the development which is next to the River Mersey in Bromborough. Councillors unanimously approved the plans.
Grammont proposes the construction of 400 two, three and four-bedroom homes and 198 two-bedroom apartments. Black Pearl’s plans would see 265 two, three and four-bedroom houses and 112 one and two-bedroom apartments.
However, due to viability constraints both developments will only include six ‘affordable homes’, well short of the usual 20% minimum. An affordable home is one where the sale price or rent is no more than 80% of local market rate.
Councillors put a condition on the applications that stated there must be a further viability test at a later date to see if the number of affordable homes could be increased. The developers say they are looking to secure grant funding to enable this to happen.
In a joint statement they said: “This project has been years in the making and represents a significant opportunity to transform a neglected industrial site into a thriving riverside community.
“It was pleasing to hear the support from the committee and their understanding of the need for this type of regeneration project to bring new homes and amenities to an in-demand area like Bromborough.”
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Much of the area around this site was, for decades, mainly used for industrial purposes. There are still some industrial businesses close by but in recent years there has been an increase in residential development.
Close by is Bromborough Dock which is still used by cargo vessels on a daily basis. Next to the dock is Port Sunlight River Park. This was opened in 2014 following the £2.3m conversion of a former landfill site. It offers impressive views of the Mersey Estuary.
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