Plans submitted for 1,600 Wirral homes

Ion Property Developments has lodged plans for a sustainable garden village in the Wirral which would include 1,600 new homes.The company wants to transform the Hind Street area of Birkenhead into a 64.2-acre residential-led scheme with a primary school and up to 647,987 sq ft of commercial space.Under the plans, the former Birkenhead Gas Works and the Mollington Train Maintenance Depot would be repurposed, and significant green and recreational spaces would be introduced.The former Dock Branch train line would also be transformed into an active travel corridor and leisure route to connect with other active travel routes being planned for the town.Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council, Ion and other stakeholders have been working to create a concept for the Hind Street Urban Garden Village Project, which would breathe new life into the area and fulfil the council’s desire to remove the 1960’s flyovers that currently act as a visual and physical barrier to the town centre.The current application includes the remedial and infrastructure works for the southern section of the project.Steve Parry, managing director of Ion, said: “We’re delighted to see this next step in the vital regeneration of the Hind Street area, which is such an important part of the future regeneration of Birkenhead.”The new and existing neighbourhood, which includes 1,600 new homes, will enjoy new and more seamless connections within the neighbourhood and to the town centre itself, as well as much better connections to Liverpool and other city region transport hubs. We’re working hard towards a goal of achieving the highest quality green urban village, which we hope will set a standard for innovation, connectivity, and quality of life.”Ion is working in collaboration with WSP (planning consultancy, transportation, and environmental assessment), BDP (masterplanning and architecture), Planit.ie (landscape), and Curtins (remediation & engineering); and is working towards the highest standards of urban design in close collaboration with Homes England and Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.