A new area of green public realm will be created in the multi-billion pound Wirral Waters development that will include an off-road cycle route. Tony McDonough reports
Peel L&P has secured planning consent for an area of green public realm within its multi-billion pound Wirral Waters project.
Its Greenway scheme, which forms a key part of the Wirral Waters Active Travel Action Plan, will provide a walkway and off-road cycle route along the north side of Beaufort Road and the east side of Wallasey Bridge Road.
This will provide a green boundary to the marine, energy and automotive (MEA) automotive park. Part of the LCR Freeport, the MEA Park will comprise manufacturing, logistics, R&D and assembly facilities.
Phase 1 will involve the conversion of the existing 42,000 sq ft Mobil building intended as a Government R&D Catapult Centre. This will be a research centre for modular construction and digital design.
It is envisaged that Phase 2 will be a multi-unit project of circa 70,000 sq ft intended for engineering supply chains in the energy, maritime and automotive sectors. The Greenway will be separated from the road via a landscaped corridor, incorporating sustainable drainage, trees and a wildflower meadow.
The Wirral Waters Active Travel Action Plan, launched in June, sets out five key actions and a range of specific projects, which will help it to realise its ambition in making Wirral Waters the most cyclist and pedestrian friendly development in the UK.
The Greenway project has been part funded by the European Regional Development Fund and forms part of The Liverpool City Region Green Sustainable Travel Corridors project. It will pave the way for the next stage of building and development at MEA Park by providing the initial infrastructure from which further development can occur.
Elsewhere at Wirral Waters, homes built in an East Midlands factory have started arriving at the site as part of a scheme that will eventually see 1,100 modular homes at the Birkenhead waterfront site.
Peel L&P has entered into a joint venture with North West developer Urban Splash at East Float which will deliver the first 30 homes ready for occupation by spring 2022
Richard Mawdsley, Peel L&P’s director of development at Wirral Waters, said: “Wirral Council’s approval of the Greenway project signals the start of the redevelopment of the West Float neighbourhood and will play a key part in the delivery of MEA Park by improving the environment and linking it to the surrounding areas.
“These public realm improvements will improve the environment and provide further market confidence to investors and businesses looking to relocate to MEA Park.
“They will also make it easier for new employees and visitors to the West Float neighbourhood to walk, cycle or use public transport, enhancing the health and wellbeing of future residents and workers.”