Seven years after a huge gas explosion that destroyed or damaged more than 200 buildings in New Ferry in Wirral, work starts on 34 new homes at the site. Tony McDonough reports
Work has started on the first 34 of 70 new homes planned for New Ferry in Wirral, site of a devastating gas explosion in 2017.
Regenda Group and its construction arm M&Y are building the 34 homes on two sites. There will be 20 homes on Boundary Road, comprising 13 one-bedroom and 7 two-bedroom apartments available under the Rent to Buy scheme.
And there will be 14 apartments on Bebington Road for affordable rent available through Regenda Homes, allocated through the Property Pool Plus system.
On a Saturday evening in March 2017, a huge gas explosion ripped through the district. It destroyed buildings, including Griffiths the Butcher and Chinese restaurant Lan’s House, and injured more than 80 people.
The blast could be heard several miles away and it was a miracle no one was killed. In October 2019, furniture shop owner Pascal Blasio was jailed for 20 years for causing the blast in a botched attempt to claim £50,000 insurance.
He had denied being responsible but was convicted by a jury at Liverpool Crown Court.
In April 2023 Wirral Council planners gave the go-ahead for the 34 homes. In the last few days a ‘groundbreaking ceremony’ has taken place attended by Regenda, M&Y, local councillors and Labour MP Alison McGovern.
There were also representatives from Homes England which has provided £1.9m funding towards the development of the new homes.
Guests of honour were pupils from Grove Street Primary School, who will benefit from the Positive Footprints’ Raising Aspirations programme as part of the regeneration project.
These homes will be complemented by improvements to the public realm along Bebington Road and additional car parking facilities on Grove Street, supported by funding from the government’s Future High Streets Fund.
Cllr Tony Jones, chair of the Economy, Regeneration and Housing Committee for Wirral Council, said: “This is another significant milestone in the redevelopment of New Ferry.
“I know it is so important for residents and businesses to finally see spades in the ground on a comprehensive development that will deliver much-needed affordable housing to the area, for both rental and rent to buy.
“Regenerating New Ferry has long been a top priority for the council. However, it has been a complex process, requiring investment and hard work to get to this point due to most of the land and buildings within the development sites being in private ownership.”
Martin Davies, director of development, Regenda Group, added: “This is an important milestone in our project to rebuild and transform the area, bringing a range of high-quality, affordable homes that meet the needs of local people.”