Demolition work scheduled to kickstart Liscard regeneration
The regeneration of Liscard is about to take a major step forward, as contractors start on site next week to knock down the former municipal building at Seaview Road, making way for affordable housing.
This follows a decision by councillors last month to progress delivery of the Liscard Levelling Up Fund 3 programme as a standalone scheme, following a pause in the project due to the 2024 election. The overall funding package to deliver regeneration for the town is comprised of £10.78m of funding from the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund Round 3, matched by £1.2m of council funding from its capital programme.
The strip out and demolition works scheduled to begin on 14th April will kickstart the project, which will look to revitalise the town centre, including bringing forward new affordable housing, public realm improvements and improved community facilities.
The site is allocated for housing in the Council’s newly adopted brownfield-only Local Plan and is a key part of the wider redevelopment of the Seaview Road Car Park. It offers a unique opportunity to redevelop the disused land and provide much needed affordable, quality housing within Liscard town centre.
Councillor Paul Stuart, Leader of Wirral Council, said:
Work starting to prepare this key site for affordable housing is a significant milestone in Liscard’s regeneration, as we progress with the Levelling Up 3 programme.
Over the coming months, we’ll be working closely with the community as our plans for the town are developed further, helping to build a more resilient, prosperous Liscard and turning the vision we’ve had for some time now a reality. It’s the latest site in Wirral’s ambitious regeneration plan to take a major step forward this year, and demonstrates our continued commitment to deliver on the plans we’ve so diligently developed.
J. Freeley Limited have been appointed to undertake the site clearance work, for a contract value of £492,963.27, with the works expected to take 18 weeks to complete. This will start with an internal soft strip of the site, before demolition commences. Nearby residents are being sent further details on the works directly, and every effort to minimise disturbance will be made, with control measures put into place.
A procurement process for the appointment of a development partner to deliver housing on the site following the clearance works is due to commence shortly.
To progress delivery of the overall scheme, the Council appointed Mott MacDonald to draw up RIBA 1 and RIBA 2 design options for the public realm in Liscard Town Centre, with work on this currently underway and public consultation on the initial designs expected in spring/summer 2025.
In parallel, a strategy is also being developed to improve existing properties within the town centre, which could be supported by the Levelling Up Fund 3 programme.
The Council will continue to work in partnership with local stakeholders, including Elected Members, community representatives and local businesses as the plans for the town progress.
The approved Liscard Neighbourhood Framework is the guiding principle for regeneration in the area and was the result of extensive engagement with the community.
It sets out a vision for a town that is more locally distinctive and more community focused, offering a significant opportunity to reshape Liscard whilst supporting its economic growth. It aims to improve the experience of residents, businesses and visitors and it identifies medium to long term improvements for the town centre and will guide how the council invests in regeneration and attracts new developers.
A number of community partners are involved in the work to reimagine the town. The Liscard Together Partnership – a town centre partnership focused on community, place and business - was formally launched on 4 June 2024. It is delivering a range of activity including local events, environmental improvements and support to local business. Further information can be viewed on the Liscard Together website.
