Once earmarked as the location for a new Birkenhead market, the former House of Fraser site in the town centre will become the nerve centre for a project to build 1,500 new homes and commercial space. Tony McDonough reports
Wirral Council says the former House of Fraser site in Birkenhead town centre will become the nerve centre of its regenerations operations.
It bought the former retail building in 2021 with a plan to transform it into a new market. However, it was eventually rejected in favour of another site which was also then pushed aside in favour of the current proposed location in the former TJ Hughes store.
With the House of Fraser building since demolished and the site levelled, Wirral Council now wants to use the Grange Road plot to provide offices, fencing, and security for major regeneration projects in the town.
In particular it will support plans for a huge scheme to build 1,500 new homes, a new park, improved transport links, commercial space and leisure facilities. Formerly known as Hind Street the urban village project has been renamed Borough Yard.
It will also be used to support the ongoing regeneration of Wirral waterfront around the Woodside ferry terminal which is currently being revamped in a multi-million pound project.
In a decision notice the council said utilising the House of Fraser site would yield potential savings across the two schemes.
It added: “Locating the compound at House of Fraser provides good proximity to both project areas, reduced duplication of set-up and welfare infrastructure, a single co-ordinated base for the schemes, improving communication and programme management.
“The House of Fraser land is cleared, level and hoarded, and supported by nearby utilities, subject to statutory approvals. This means minimal preparation time and fewer barriers to occupation.”
In the last few days Wirral said it had agreed a pre-construction services agreement contract with John Sisk & Sons for the Borough Yard scheme.
Wirral Council’s Policy and Resources had previously approved the appointment of John Sisk & Sons to a pre-construction services agreement for delivery of enabling works.
Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and Homes England have approved £52m of funding in principle to deliver the enabling works package, subject to satisfying a series of conditions.
The next phase has seen the council and partners working to ensure the various grant funding conditions are satisfied ahead of entering into a main construction contract for the works.
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Leader of Wirral Council, Paula Basnett, said: “Borough Yard will see long‑neglected brownfield land transformed into a vibrant new urban village, bringing high‑quality homes, green space, jobs and improved connections right next to Birkenhead town centre.
“This development is about more than bricks and mortar – it’s about creating a place where people want to live, work and invest, and laying strong foundations for Birkenhead’s future prosperity.”