A £130m residential scheme at Wirral Waters has reached a major milestone with a topping out ceremony for the 500-home scheme. Tony McDonough reports

A £130m residential scheme at Wirral Waters has reached a major milestone.

In January 2002 Wirral Waters owner, Peel L&P, announced that institutional investor Pension Insurance Corporation (PIC) was funding the Miller’s Quay scheme. Wirral Council is also a partner on the Build-to-Rent development.

When complete it will provide 500 one and two-bedroom apartments. One-fifth of the homes will be classed as affordable. Rents on the affordable units will be a maximum of 80% of open market value. Building firm GRAHAM is the contractor for the scheme.

This week, representatives from Peel L&P, PIC, Graham, Homes England, Wirral Council, and staff and students from Wirral Met College, came together to celebrate the topping out ceremony. This is when a building reaches its highest point.

Since construction began in July 2022, 319 students from Wirral Met College have already benefited from the ‘live’ classroom on its doorstep where students are taking part in a number of activities and learning a wide range of skills.

By collaborating with the employers involved within the wider Wirral Waters regeneration project, Wirral Met College has been able to review its curriculum to ensure its provision is directly aligned to the needs and demands across the modern construction industry.

Students are also benefiting from work experience opportunities through the construction of Miller’s Quay.

Richard Mawdsley, director of development for Wirral Waters, said: “This has been a fantastic day to reflect on everything that has been achieved so far and to celebrate the significant social impact this project is already having on the local community.

“I have been really proud and humbled to see the students engaged in learning on site over the last 10 months and knowing that they are learning about modern and green methods of construction.”