News and views from the Wirral Society – an environmental watchdog since 1928 (Also The Wirral District Committee of CPRE)
The urgent need for Regeneration of Birkenhead
For most of the Society’s near 100 years’ existence since its formation in 1928, our primary focus has been to try to ensure the value of our scarce open land in the Peninsula – and therefore its essential character – was properly valued; while always recognising that people need somewhere to live and are provided with good facilities in keeping with 20th century living.
Our concentration was very much centred on the central and western side
of the Peninsula. Twenty years ago, the Society recognised that it should also turn its interest and attention to both the urban and suburban parts. This was born out of a realisation that there was an inter-dependency between the two parts, and so our Constitution was revised to reflect this.
As time has gone on in this century, the need to recognise this interdependency has become ever more apparent, to the point now where we ignore the urban areas at our peril – notably in the northern part of the
Wirral – and especially the Township of Birkenhead.
Birkenhead’s fortunes have continued to decline, largely since the earlier demise of the large-scale shipbuilding activity upon which the town’s growth was based, together with the recent successful regeneration of central Liverpool.
It is to Wirral Council’s great credit that when required by Government to
produce a Local Plan to chart the way land is used in the Borough until 2040. It recognised the inter-dependency referred to earlier.
It sought to meet the Government specified housing need over that period solely on Urban Regeneration, primarily in Birkenhead and areas of Wallasey.
The Local Plan, at the time of writing, still awaits final Government approval. It was built around the comprehensive and ambitious ‘Birkenhead 2040 Framework’ commendably supported by all parties within the Council – and was a Finalist in the Urban Design Group’s ‘National Design Awards 2021’.
This Framework was based upon the development of detailed Delivery Masterplans which would create new neighbourhoods across central Birkenhead and the Wallasey Waterfront.
However, even before the new Local Plan has been approved, as reported in the last ‘Wirral Matters’, the new Government has, in its national quest to boost house-building, set significantly increased housing targets for the Borough, from 728 to 1602 dwellings per annum.
The Government has said that the Council will need to start a new Plan later this year to meet this increased housing need. We learn it still may be possible to also accommodate such numbers of new houses without the need to build in the Borough’s Green Belt by delivering the Masterplans identified through ‘Birkenhead 2040’. However there is a real danger that large areas of Green Belt will be lost over the next ten years with increasing pressure from major house-builders who want to build on open land rather than on Brownfield land.
Against this background, principally through our Steering Group – the Wirral Green Space Alliance are trying, by all means at our disposal, to encourage the Council to increase the speed and scale of its Regeneration activities, through its ‘Birkenhead 2040 Framework’ to create a ‘New Town within an Old Town’, by which to deliver the additional housing target set by the Government and to remove the risk of Green Belt release.
As a result of the slow delivery of ‘Birkenhead 2040’ and the Government’s new housing targets, the threat to the Green Belt is unfortunately greater now than any time since the 1980’s. We would encourage as many people as possible to support us in lobbying the Council, MPs and the Government to see the ambitious plans of ‘Birkenhead 2040’ delivered as soon as possible.
Victorian Clock at Grange Road West, Charing Cross, Birkenhead
Our attention has recently been drawn to the damage that has been caused to this rather splendid wall bracket clock, attached to this building. As can be seen, it has a beautiful wrought iron bracket and part of the face, which has ornate Roman numerals, has been pushed inwards.
The clock adds character to this part of Birkenhead, and our concern is that it will further deteriorate if it is left as it is.
We don’t know if the damage has been caused by wind or vandalism. Either way, perhaps this is symptomatic of the general decline in the fortunes of central Birkenhead, given that the building itself is empty and was advertised for sale by auction last December, but it would appear no bids were received. I therefore suggest there will be no-one taking responsibility for either repairing the face or getting the mechanism into working order in the foreseeable future.
Our initial enquiries found that the brackets, barrel, dial and hands are most likely original but the face and workings were likely replaced when the building was refurbished about 20 years ago.
The bracket in particular is a rare survivor and a good example of decorative cast iron work from the later Victorian/early Edwardian period.
We are in contact both with the Council’s Heritage Officer and a local interested person who has offered to make an Application for Local Listing. He says that, whilst the building to which it is attached is unlisted, he considers that something as rare as this it ought to be protected in its own right – much like a piece of street furniture.
Former Gasworks Site, Hind St, Birkenhead
A landmark urban regeneration project has received approval from Wirral Council’s Strategic Applications Sub Committee, marking a significant milestone in Birkenhead’s development. The Hind Street Urban Garden Village project, also known as the Birkenhead Central Gateway, represents an ambitious £52 million investment aimed at revitalising a 65-acre former industrial site over the next 10-15 years.
The comprehensive development plan envisions the creation of up to 1,600 new homes alongside approximately 600,000 square feet of commercial space, making it one of the region’s most significant urban renewal projects. The scheme goes beyond traditional development approaches by incorporating extensive green spaces, modern active travel infrastructure, and enhanced public transport connectivity, including a strategically placed bus stop adjacent to Birkenhead Central Station.
Initial work on the site is scheduled to commence in autumn 2025, with the first phase focusing on essential decontamination work to address the industrial legacy of the former gasworks. This critical groundwork will prepare the site for the construction of 633 homes across 27 acres, complemented by 4,300m² of commercial space. Following this initial development, the second phase will introduce an additional 950 homes and expand the commercial footprint by 179,000m², creating a substantial mixed-use community.
The project has secured financial backing through a strategic funding partnership. Homes England, the government’s housing and regeneration agency, has committed £29 million to the development, with matching funds provided by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (LCR-CA), bringing the total investment to £52 million. These resources will primarily support the crucial infrastructure works necessary to transform the site into a viable development location.
A notable aspect of the project’s execution is the strong partnership between key stakeholders. Wirral Council has joined forces with Ion Property Developments Ltd as the development partner, while construction specialist John Sisk & Son will handle the physical implementation. The master plan’s design has been led by BDP, working in collaboration with planning consultant WSP, engineer Curtins, and landscape architect Planit, ensuring a comprehensive and integrated approach to the site’s transformation.
One of the project’s most significant infrastructure elements involves the planned demolition of adjacent flyovers, a strategic decision aimed at improving connectivity between the new development and Birkenhead’s town centre. The demolition process will be carefully managed to minimise disruption to local traffic patterns, demonstrating the project team’s commitment to maintaining urban functionality during the transformation process.
The development timeline projects completion of the enabling works by 2027, setting the stage for the creation of a vibrant, sustainable community. This carefully phased approach ensures that the site’s industrial heritage is properly addressed while laying the groundwork for the future development phases. The project represents a significant step forward in Birkenhead’s regeneration strategy, promising to deliver not just housing and commercial space, but a comprehensive urban environment that integrates with and enhances the existing town centre.
As the project moves forward, it stands as a testament to the potential for transformative urban regeneration, demonstrating how strategic planning, substantial investment, and collaborative partnerships can breathe new life into former industrial sites.
The Hind Street Urban Garden Village development is poised to become a model for sustainable urban renewal, creating a legacy that will benefit Birkenhead and its residents for generations to come.
Updates
Vineyard Farm Barn, Poulton
This Society, supported by the Conservation Areas Wirral (CaW) group, have maintained correspondence with Wirral Council’s Planning Enforcement Section concerning the continued lack of progress in the restoration of this very important Listed Barn. We have become increasingly anxious, as the barn (seen here) has become very dilapidated and continues to deteriorate following recent gales.
We have written again to the Council reminding it that the owner, Persimmon Homes, has got away with doing nothing for far too long.
Despite action being promised last May, it was understood from the Council that it had given the Company its latest clear ultimatum that it should submit its plans for the repair of the building, by this January. The latest information just received from a local contact, is that people in high-viz jackets have been seen around the barn recently, so hopefully something may at last be happening.
Wirral Borough’s Tree Wardens
In Wirral there is a group of over 70 dedicated volunteers with a passion for Trees, known as the ‘Tree Wardens’.
This group is organised by the Council and overseen nationally by the Tree Council.
If you would like to become a Tree Warden, you can contact the team by email: wirraltreewardens@wirral.gov.uk
The Glegg Arms, Gayton
It came as a shock to many to learn that the Whitbread Company had decided to close the pub/ restaurant side of its business. For the Peninsula, this affects both the ‘Tudor Rose’ at Two Mills – and more particularly the ‘Glegg Arms ‘at Gayton.
In the latter case, this potentially has more serious implications, as the owners want to demolish the building in order to extend its more profitable motel business.
Our friends in the Heswall Society have been leading a comprehensive campaign to try and ensure this doesn’t happen.
Whilst the building isn’t currently Listed, it is widely recognised as making a significant visual contribution to the area.
Fortunately, Planning regulations require that full Planning Permission is needed in order to demolish a pub or restaurant.
Due to the objections lodged to the proposal, the company’s Application will be heard by Wirral Council’s Planning Committee unless the Case Officer recommends refusal The Council’s Heritage Officer, for her part, has said she was opposed to its demolition and would be recommending the Application be refused.
The Society has been happy to support the Heswall Society.
Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE)
At this present time the CPRE, to which we are affiliated, faces an especially large number of challenges throughout the country, with many competing demands. This is requiring it to re-think how it addresses the competing pressures on our precious rural areas whilst protecting and improving Green Belt and ‘the countryside next door’.
These pressures include new electricity pylons, solar and wind farms, and of course, new housing – and with it, achieving the transition to low carbon energy in the most ‘countryside friendly’ way.
CPRE Cheshire Branch’s Chairman considers the biggest concerns for him are the Government’s housing demands being made on each Local Authority, (to which we referred earlier and also in the last issue of Wirral Matters). He cites the concern he has with the so – called “housing need standard method figures“, and the way these will impact upon the so-called “Grey Belt” proposals, which the Government says in effect, that “…proposals for new housing, commercial or other development should not be regarded as inappropriate provided it is on ‘Grey Belt’ land” and a few other requirements are met.
The Government’s definition of “Grey Belt” remains unclear, in that it says “…land in the Green Belt comprising previously developed land and/or any other land that …. does not strongly contribute to those purposes relating to sprawl, prevention of neighbouring towns from merging and protection of the setting of historic towns.“
He says that “Whilst it appears at first sight to provide some safeguards this definition is in fact very vague and subjective. This is a recipe for developers to submit speculative applications on land which they consider does not ‘strongly contribute“.
Applications for Green Belt development in the Peninsula
Regular attempts are made to compromise the Peninsula’s Green Belt
Neil Parry comments for the Society on many Planning Applications with Green Belt implications, referred to us primarily by Wirral Council.
From his experience, he says he has noticed an increase in the number of applicants citing “as the site is shielded from view it would be OK to build” – as a reason why their applications should be approved in the Green Belt. This is not a reason for acceptance!
Farming
CPRE identifies that with 70% of UK land farmed and 300,000 jobs in England tied to farming, forestry, and fishing, action to meet climate change is essential for food security.
While agricultural emissions have dropped by 12% over the past 30 years, climate change continues to challenge farmers with rising temperatures, droughts and floods that threaten their livelihoods.
Farmers need proper support to become stewards of our land. That’s why CPRE says it is urging Ministers to back the Climate and Nature legislation, currently before Parliament, which it considers will help farmers adapt, restore nature, and protect our countryside for future generations.
Jellicoe Water Feature, Pasture Road, Moreton
By contrast with the Persimmon Homes, it is good to report another of the ‘Volume’ builders, Bellway Homes has been most responsive to our enquiries, regarding the progress of the restoration of this Listed structure in Moreton.
The Company reports that it is continuing to encounter problems, in that other waterproof membranes lining the pools, are also wearing out. We have written back, to express our gratitude to the Company and its management, that it is taking its responsibilities seriously and is continuing to press forward with the restoration of this important Water Feature. We said that when the Cascade was back in working order, it would add enormously to the prestige of its adjacent housing development.
Brackenwood Park
Brackenwood Park and Meadows, Bebington are two important resources of the Green Belt.
Brackenwood, a public park since the 1930s offers acres of woodland with a public footpath, grassy slopes and a Listed Building designed by prominent Victorian architect, Sir Aston Webb. Once the home and gardens of the rich, it is now open to all. Traditionally, the occasional snowfall brings all the sledges out for miles around.
Over the last year Brackenwood Meadows Golf Course has been untended by Wirral Borough Council, and has grown into delightful meadows, where paths have been created by all who walk here.
Interesting trees, pools and wildflowers thrive. One of Wirral’s (ancient?) standing stones is found here.
(Photo – Judith Railton)
There is a scheme to pass the running of a golf course over to an outside firm, in a Community Asset Transfer, but this has yet to be finalised.
Judith Railton
Wirral Waters Award
The Society is delighted to note that this new development by the Peel Waters Team has recently won the ‘Build-to-Rent Development of the Year’ for Millers Quay, at the Insider Media West Residential Property Awards 2025.
With government funding from Homes England’s Housing Infrastructure Fund, the development provides for 500 new homes with shared spaces, dockside walkways and access to new green spaces.
Wirral Society on Instagram
Judith Railton arranges for photograph collections to be shared on Instagram, highlighting issues we are dealing with and places to celebrate on our Peninsula. Go to the_wirral_society on Instagram or search for ‘The Wirral Society Instagram’ on the internet.
*PLEASE NOTE: You will only be able to view our Instagram posts if you have an Instagram account!
Here are three recent posts (not clickable):
Editor: Rod Tann (Hard copies of this issue are sent to the Archives of Wirral & Chester, The British Library & Scottish Deposits.)