Planning approval granted for office developments in Birkenhead

Wirral Growth Company has received planning approval for two new office developments in Birkenhead, marking the first phase of a wider regeneration project.

Once complete, one of the two five-storey developments will be occupied by Wirral Council, seeing 800 members of staff move into the central workspace.

The second building will be available to let on the open market, helping address the shortage of office space in the Liverpool City Region and create opportunities for local businesses to grow.

The office buildings will be connected by a new outdoor public realm and adaptable open space for occupiers, residents and visitors to enjoy, as well as providing opportunities for events and pop-up activities.

The development is part of the Wirral Growth Company’s wider strategy for the town, which aims to create a new commercial quarter, which is expected to expand to incorporate residential and leisure facilities in the future.

Cllr Tony Jones, chair of Wirral Council’s economic, regeneration and development committee, said: ‘The development of a new commercial district in the centre of Birkenhead is a vital part of changing the way that people use the town centre. Over £50m has been secured towards major regeneration in Birkenhead through the Town Deal and Future High Street Fund, which will transform the town over the coming years.

‘Construction starting on these two buildings will be a significant and very visible step towards making that change happen and clearly demonstrates Wirral’s further commitment to its continued regeneration programme.’

Wirral Growth Company is a joint venture partnership between Wirral Council and national urban regeneration specialist, Muse Developments.

Jonathan Ashcroft, project director at Muse Developments, said: ‘These two new office developments will anchor our wider plans for the town, and we’re excited to have reached this crucial milestone so that we can begin to progress on site.

‘We know from experience the impact that a successful office development can have on a town. As more businesses, and most importantly people, gravitate to the space, it acts as a catalyst for further investment and regeneration, resulting in a destination that people enjoy spending time in. That’s our vision for Birkenhead too and we look forward to seeing those plans now start to come to fruition.’

In related news, a record £650bn infrastructure investment will support hundreds of thousands of jobs a year, according to a new Infrastructure Pipeline and the government’s latest Plan for Jobs Progress Update.

Photo supplied by Wirral Growth Company