Combined Authority backs build of 600 new homes in Birkenhead

Proposals for a new urban village in Birkenhead given a major multi-million pound boost as it’s backed by Liverpool City Region Combined Authority. Tony McDonough reports.

Work is expected to begin on the Hind Street Urban Village next year

The Hind Street Urban Village project, also known as Birkenhead Central Gateway, proposes to deliver more than 1,500 new homes in Birkenhead town centre, as well as businesses, schools, and commercial and green spaces in a phased development over the next 10 to 15 years.

On Friday, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority approved grant funding of up to £22.359m from the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement.

News comes just weeks after Wirral Council unveiled designs for the new Birkenhead Market and in summer announced it was moving forward with plans for 273 homes at the former House of Fraser site. It says these developments will play a vital role in reviving Birkenhead town centre.

The Hind Street scheme will rely on further funding from Homes England and support from the private sector, but this investment from LCRCA will help unlock the first phase, comprising 10.9 ha of brownfield land intended to deliver 633 homes and 1,330sqm of commercial floorspace.

Initial work is expected to begin in 2025 subject to planning, and complete in 2027. Ion Property Developments Ltd (Ion) has been appointed undertake development management services, including the design of the scheme, remediation and infrastructure works, and managing planning applications.

Leader of Wirral Council, Cllr Paul Stuart, said: “On behalf of Wirral, I really welcome the grant funding of over £22m from the Strategic Investment Fund for Wirral’s Hind Street project from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (LCR CA).

“We are expecting positive news from Homes England any time now which together with this LCR CA investment will allow us to begin the vital infrastructure work that will signal the beginning of this vital housing and regeneration project for Wirral and Birkenhead.

“The Hind Street project is one of our major brownfield regeneration sites and it will be a model of urban living, well connected to public transport being so close to Birkenhead Central and Green Lane train stations, the new dock Branch Park, providing high quality open spaces, improved public realm and the creation of active travel routes.

“This is just one part of our regeneration strategy, which is focussed on delivering social, affordable, people-focused regeneration that reduces inequalities and creating jobs.

“We look forward to continuing to work with the LCR CA to release further funding for this and other vital projects for Wirral to deliver on our brownfield only Local Plan, which will deliver much needed housing in Wirral and play our part in contributing to the Governments housing targets.”

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