Homes England and Liverpool Combined Authority invest £51m in Wirral regeneration

The project is being delivered by Wirral Council in partnership with developer Ion, which has been commissioned to undertake development management services including the design of the scheme, the remediation and infrastructure works required and the submission of the planning application.

Under the regeneration plans, the former Rock Ferry to Bidston Dock railway line, which has been closed since the early 1990s, will become a “linear park” with new walking and cycling routes.

Subject to planning approval, it is expected to start on site in 2025 and complete in 2027.

The deal came after Homes England and Liverpool City Region signed a strategic place partnership. The memorandum of understanding between the organisations will “enhance and expand” strategic placemaking through increasing the “pace, scale and quality” of housing delivery in the region, Homes England said.

Homes England has already signed several such partnerships with combined authorities including West Yorkshire Combined Authority, Greater Manchester and South Essex. The long-term commitments are centred around a shared plan for bringing forward housing growth in each region.

In July, Homes England pledged £55m in infrastructure funding to Liverpool City Council to accelerate a stalled 2,350-home scheme on the Central Docks site.

Steve Rotheram, mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said: “Through our strategic place partnership with Homes England, we’re accelerating transformational projects like Hind Street, turning derelict land into vibrant, sustainable communities that our region deserves.

“With over 1,500 new homes being built, alongside improved transport links and green spaces, this project will serve as a blueprint for the type of regeneration we want to see across the Liverpool City Region – regeneration that not only delivers homes but creates jobs, boosts local businesses, and builds stronger communities.”

Peter Denton, chief executive of Homes England, said: “The strategic place partnership model gives us a framework to support local leaders who have a strong vision for housing and regeneration in their area. The Liverpool City Region is undoubtedly an area with huge potential for growth and is somewhere the government has already shown commitment to.

“The funding approved today for Hind Street Urban Village is further evidence of our support for the region and aligns with our mission to work together with the mayor and his team, to develop a pipeline of housing and regeneration development and help the combined authority unlock the region’s full potential.”

Paul Stuart, leader of Wirral Council, said: “This additional funding from Homes England, along with support from the combined authority, will really help to accelerate our plans to change this part of Birkenhead for the benefit of local communities.

“I’m pleased our ambitious ideas to transform this key area have this backing, enabling us to get started bringing along new homes, public spaces and better-connected living for our residents.

“Our regeneration strategy looks beyond changes to the built environment to see that in the long term, when regeneration is people-focused, it reduces inequalities, creates employment opportunities and improves the health and well-being of those individuals and families who are making their homes and lives in our borough.”