Peel have submitted a planning application for the first major mixed use development masterplan/quarter, that forms part of their ambitious £4.5 billion Wirral Waters scheme.

The plans mark the first major step forward in a future that is set to transform Wirral in to a waterfront destination to rival those of Shanghai, Vancouver and New York.

The Northbank East proposals will see the creation of a new community based neighbourhood that will provide a variety of new homes, community retail and leisure facilities and better access to the waterfront for the public.

Northbank East is situated between the converted historic Corn Warehouses and the Hydraulic Tower and falls within the East Float section of the Wirral Waters scheme where the U-534 submarine, now located at Woodside, was formerly on display.

A new 'neighbourhood' foodstore is to be included as well as office accommodation aimed at local and regional businesses which will provide much needed employment for the area. In addition there will be local amenity retail and leisure amenities. The proposals will also see nearly 1,700 new residential units. Peel have been innovative in their approach to creating communities in targeting a very broad range of occupiers from '18 – 80' that will appeal to all sectors of the housing market and provide a choice from family housing with access to rooftop gardens as well as apartments.

The Northbank East proposals offer a different approach to city living. The waterside setting, connections to nearby parks and the Mersey waterfront provides the opportunity to live and work close to the city and have 'room to breathe'

Wirral Waters presents the opportunity to create places for people in new and innovative ways. Peel Holdings have learnt from a number of award winning examples of new developments across Europe and further afield, including Hafen City in Hamburg, Malmo in Sweden and Vancouver. The Northbank East proposals include many of the most successful solutions such as new ways to attract residents and visitors back to the waters edge.

The Northbank East proposals are the next step to creating safe, sustainable, attractive homes and offices and public places around East Float. This will bring added investment and activity to support the recently completed apartments of the former Corn Warehouses and connections to the Hydraulic Tower which is to be converted to a hotel and restaurant.

The design of the Northbank scheme will start creating the new skyline for Wirral Waters complementing the long term international vision of the Wirral Waters.

Once complete the Northbank East development will create over 850 jobs many of which will be created in early stages of development providing much needed jobs in the early stages of construction as well as in the long term. It is an important ethos that local people are able to access these opportunities.

Lindsey Ashworth Director of Peel Developments said, “This is an important milestone in the life of Wirral Waters. It's the start of a very long journey that will take many decades to complete. It's the start of a new and prosperous era for what is currently an area with real problems. We are very proud to be a part of this process”.

Wirral Council Leader, Cllr Steve Foulkes said: “A project as ambitious as this can appear to be highly aspirational and long term, however, these applications which are a result of close partnership working between Wirral Council and Peel clearly demonstrate all parties' belief and commitment to this transformational scheme. The creation of hundreds of new jobs in the first part of the scheme is very exciting and the Council is doing its best to ensure that Wirral people are able to take advantage of these new opportunities.”

Rt Hon Frank Field, MP for Birkenhead said, “I very strongly support the application. As far as I am concerned it has not come a day too soon; I can't wait for work to begin on a new town for Birkenhead.”

The Managing Director of Rust Design, the appointed Graphic Consultants, said:
"Being given the opportunity to produce visualisations for such an exciting and innovative redevelopment proposal has been a privilege. Since the scheme began in 2006 we have worked with Peel, helping them to express the detail and character of their vision. We have utilised the latest technology to produce 3D still imagery and flythrough animations that allow the local community to properly understand and appreciate the magnitude of the scheme. We are excited to see the scheme take its first steps to become a reality"