NEARLY 1,000 homes could be built on the banks of the River Mersey with work potentially starting in the next year.
Two planning applications are set to be decided at a Wirral Council planning committee on Thursday (February 6), with the major housing plans recommended for approval.
One application has been put forward by the Grammont Group while another has been put forward by Black Pearl Homes for up to 975 homes.
598 homes could be built right off the banks of the Mersey in Bromborough Wharf, Bromborough while 377 could be built slightly further inland. Only six of the homes will be affordable due to the viability of the scheme with millions needed to prepare the land which was once used for landfill and bio-diesel storage.
A council report said the land was “currently derelict, unused and contaminated” but the development could create “a river front promenade, opening up views of the waterfront to the public that have not previously been available.” The planning application said it would “create a highly sustainable community that will be a desirable place to live for generations to come” with a new park and two new community spaces.
If the plans are approved by Wirral Council subject to final government sign off, a 2024 housing trajectory update suggested building work could start in the next year with 50 homes delivered in the first year increasing to 125 new homes a year by 2028. The scheme is due to be finished by 2034.
More people supported the development than opposed it, praising the delivery of new homes, four and five bedroom homes, riverside location, new “beautifully landscaped” promenade, and the regeneration of a brownfield site. No objections were received from a number of key organisations including the Environment Agency and the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.
The delivery of nearly 1,000 new homes and clearing polluted land has also been welcomed by Bromborough’s three councillors Jo Bird, Ruth Molyneux, and Keiran Murphy. However, the councillors also expressed concerns about the need for 30 minute peak-time bus services, low numbers of affordable homes, and money towards a local primary school.
Two nearby businesses have also expressed concern the plans could impact them, especially if future neighbours complained about noise but a report said this issue will be dealt with.
Cheshire Wildlife Trust and Wirral Wildlife have also raised concerns the development “does not provide a genuine net gain for biodiversity.” They suggested “site stripping” had taken place before the application was submitted leading to a loss of wildlife and plants
Some work was done to remove invasive Japanese Knotweed. Measures will be taken to reduce noise pollution during construction and £173,000 will also go towards improving biodiversity.
The land was previously used for employment but a council survey published in 2022 “found a potential excess of supply of employment land over demand.” Therefore it was decided the land would become new housing in the draft Local Plan as this would protect the nearby Wirral International Business Park.
An application for a House of Multiple Occupation (HMO) is also up for consideration in New Brighton.