Housing association Prima Group plans to build 605 apartments across four blocks in a multi-million pound development on Wirral waterfront with the tallest rising to 20 storeys. Tony McDonough reports
Liverpool housing association Prima Group has submitted a document to Wirral Council revealing plans to build 605 apartments on Birkenhead waterfront.
Comprising four blocks, with the tallest rising to 20 storeys, this development would be built in an area called Rose Brae on the River Mersey. This is a brownfield plot located between the Woodside Ferry terminal and Birkenhead Priory and Cammell Laird.
Prima, which owns and manages more than 2,700 homes in Liverpool, Sefton, Wirral and North Wales, has submitted what is called a scoping report to the council. This sets out the plan for the development but is not a full planning application.
This 5.5-acre site is close to the Wirral Circular Trail path and plans also include a possible new footway and cycling through-route to the footpath.
Robbie Mannion, development programme manager at Prima, told Place North West: “A detailed planning application is being finalised and the recently issued scoping document seeks guidance from planners about the environmental impact of our proposals.
“We have carried out public consultation and held meetings with local groups and welcome people giving us their feedback.
“We recently had a pre-application meeting with Wirral Council, which we are awaiting feedback on and then a full, detailed application will be created and submitted as soon as possible.”
In November 2024 LBN revealed that Wirral Council had plans to develop the Wirral waterfront from Woodside to Wallasey Town Hall that will create a new vista and around 2,000 new homes.
It has adopted two masterplans for the waterfront area that will create new places to live as well as a “mixed-use cultural riverside quarter with a range of superb visitor attractions”.
These masterplans envisage a number of taller buildings that would offer a more striking view across the water from Liverpool without having detrimental effects on the existing built environment and heritage.
Wirral Council is also pushing on with proposals to build an “urban village” in Birkenhead with up to 1,600 new homes. These homes will be delivered in phases over the next 10 to 15 years.
Prima’s development is being designed by JDA Architects. On its website, the firm says: “Designing a community on a prominent waterfront location offers a unique opportunity to blend functionality, sustainability, and aesthetic appeal.
“The regeneration of such a space demands thoughtful consideration of various elements to create a vibrant and resilient environment that enhances the quality of life for residents and visitors alike.”