Consultation is now underway on transformational plans to deliver a new sustainable urban village next to Birkenhead town centre.

Ion Property Developments (Ion) and Wirral Council are seeking feedback on the plans which would transform former industrial land to the north and south of Hind Street not far from Birkenhead Central train station.

This new urban village would be a unique and aspirational place to call home, framed in the grid iron plan of Birkenhead and responding to the historic characteristics of the area.

Identified in the Wirral Local Plan as the ‘Hind Street Urban Garden Village Masterplan Area’, the plans would deliver up to 1,600 new homes including hundreds of affordable dwellings across a range of home types.

Place-making is at the heart of these plans, with acres of accessible public realm proposed including new strategic open space (Dock Branch South) and public squares. Comprehensively designed with community facilities for its residents, the plans include a primary school, complementary commercial uses such as offices, shops, cafes and restaurants, healthcare, nursery services, care services and hotels, and a multi-storey car park and mobility hub.

Wirral Council has identified in the draft Birkenhead 2040 Framework and draft Local Plan the need to remove Borough Road (A5227) and Queensway Tunnel flyovers by reconfiguring the gyratory outside of Birkenhead Central Station and rationalising the Tunnel approach area to create a more welcoming gateway to the town. The proposed development builds on this vision and therefore the removal of these flyovers is included.

A public consultation has been launched to gain feedback and views from the local community, including public drop-in exhibitions at BirkenEd’s Place (8-12 Borough Pavement, Grange Precinct, Birkenhead, CH41 2XX) on Friday 19^th May – 12-6pm and Saturday 20^th May – 10-2pm. A consultation website can be accessed at: borough-birkenhead.co.uk.

Dave Hughes, Wirral Council’s Director of Regeneration and Place, said: “This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to deliver a truly exemplar Urban Garden Village in Birkenhead and spread new homes, job opportunities, and first-class public realm within a comprehensively designed town centre location.

“We are excited to present the draft plans which have been developed over many months to take every possible advantage of the opportunities such a fantastic site offers. We want to gain feedback during this public consultation to ensure the plans are the best they can be, so please do join us at the public drop-ins or via the online consultation”.

Steve Parry from Ion Property Developments commented: “This development will deliver transformational benefits in Birkenhead and help regenerate the wider area. With such an aspirational and wide-ranging scheme, it is important that residents and stakeholders have their say”.

The public consultation will run until Tuesday 13^th June. All feedback will be considered ahead of submitting a planning application to Wirral Council.