Artist impression of Peel Holdings proposed Wirral Waters scheme _320
THE proposed £4bn regeneration of Wirral’s docklands has received a huge vote of approval from the public.
A recent consultation about the Wirral Waters plan saw 95% of people give it their support.
Peel Holdings have released the results of their public exhibition held last month at Birkenhead Market.
The exhibition attracted hundreds of visitors who were encouraged to fill in a questionnaire so that the company could gauge local opinion about the scheme.
Results showed that, from the 470 questionnaires completed, more than 95% of people support the scheme.
Wirral Waters is the £4.5bn waterside redevelopment scheme which the developers say will see the transformation of Birkenhead Docks – and is intended to make Wirral an international waterside destination.
Peel say the results came from near and far, including all neighbourhoods enclosing the docks, the wider Birkenhead and Wallasey areas, the Wirral peninsula and from Liverpool.
Lindsey Ashworth, development director at Peel, thanked all those who visited their stand and took time to complete the questionnaires.
He said: “We expected a lively two days, but this is the most overwhelming response to a public exhibition I can remember.
“To be able to spend two days talking with local people who are so passionate and positive about the future of Birkenhead and Wallasey and the opportunity of Wirral Waters is a big help in shaping our proposals and moving forward.
“The messages coming across loud and clear are the need to think big and start now, especially jobs and training for local people, together with the need to work with Wirral Council and their partners – all of which we are doing.
“This event is part of on-going consultations that we are putting in place. We have lots of suggestions and questions to think about, and we will be able to share our responses and ideas at future community events.”
The completed forms revealed a huge difference in the age range of people visiting the exhibition – from just 15 years old to 89.
The results also revealed that the creation of jobs and training and retention of the port within the development proposals are the most important elements of Wirral Waters for local people (over 88% and 76% respectively).
Based on the findings of the results, Peel Holdings are working with Wirral Council on the scheme.
* MORE details about the scheme and the questionnaire can be found on the Wirral Waters website www.wirralwaters.co.uk
