Double planning approval triggers new investment at Wirral Waters
Two planning applications from Peel Waters have been approved kick-starting a new phase of development at Mea Park West - a key employment and Freeport site within the landmark Wirral Waters regeneration project.
The planning decisions, including the transformation of the 42,000 sq ft Mobil building plus a major extension to the Greenway public realm project, together mark a significant milestone in the regeneration of the area, unlocking £1.7m of investment into new employment space, safer active travel routes and substantial environmental benefits.
Wirral Council Leader, Cllr Paula Basnett, said:
It is great to see a new phase of regeneration taking shape in Wirral’s docklands. Mea Park West is within the Freeport area and is an important location for attracting growth and investment to the area. These latest planning decisions are a massive step forward and will create new jobs and training opportunities for young people and other Wirral residents within the Modern Methods of Construction sector.
Peel Waters’ £1.2m transformation of the Mobil building is one of three planning applications submitted for the next phase of development at Mea Park West, a well-located employment site close to Birkenhead North train station. Together, the three schemes will deliver 171,400 sq ft of new employment space at the brownfield dockside site, creating over 200 new jobs and attracting significant investment to the area.
The carefully designed refurbishment of the Mobil building, getting underway this year, will involve converting the former oil refinery storage facility by modernising the structure while maintaining its industrial character. External alterations include painting the elevations to modernise the building's appearance, replacing the existing roof on the low bay element to improve its condition and weather resistance, and over-cladding of the high bay to enhance thermal performance, visual appearance and structural integrity.
The reuse and refurbishment of the existing building delivers significant environmental benefits compared to a new build, while enhancing energy efficiency and long-term sustainability. The conversion will also support the creation of high-quality jobs and deliver substantial economic benefits for Wirral and the wider Liverpool City Region. Socially, the scheme will provide valuable opportunities for apprenticeships, training and skills development, working closely with local education providers, such as Wirral Met College, and community partners to support local people into employment and create pathways for young people into construction and engineering careers.
The second approval enables a major extension to the Greenway at Mea Park West. The scheme will significantly enhance pedestrian and cyclist safety, promote active travel, improve biodiversity and raise the visual and functional quality of the employment environment.
The Greenway extension forms a critical piece of connectivity infrastructure, linking the wider West Float employment area to key public transport routes and supporting active travel for workers, the local community, visitors and future residents. Building on the initial phase of the Greenway delivered in 2023, it will further support the Liverpool City Region’s Sustainable Urban Development Green Travel Corridors Programme. Plans include:
- A 3.5-metre wide shared-use footway and cycleway along the eastern edge of Wallasey Bridge Road, providing a safe, continuous active travel route directly connecting Mea Park West to Birkenhead North Merseyrail Station
- A native tree-lined verge and wildflower grassland strip, supporting biodiversity and creating an attractive green edge to the road
- A buffer zone reserved for future sustainable transit aligned with the former railway
- New street lighting and wayfinding signage to improve safety and connectivity
- Remediation and site preparation works, including demolition of an existing substation
The scheme also delivers significant environmental benefits. A Biodiversity Net Gain assessment confirms the proposals will generate a habitat unit gain of over 22% – more than double the statutory 10% minimum required under the Environment Act 2021. Seventeen new trees and a biodiverse wildflower grassland will be planted, enhancing both the ecological value and visual quality of this gateway location between West Float and Bidston Dock.
These improvements are essential for building confidence among investors, attracting businesses and embedding long-term sustainability at Mea Park West, reflecting the ambitions of Wirral Waters as one of the most significant waterfront brownfield regeneration sites in the UK.
Richard Mawdsley, Director of Development at Wirral Waters, said:
These two approvals mark a defining moment in the transformation of Mea Park West. By transforming this landmark building into a modern manufacturing facility, we’re creating high-quality jobs, attracting new investment and supporting local supply chains. And by creating safe, attractive routes for pedestrians and cyclists and connecting the site directly to public transport, we are making Wirral Waters a place where businesses want to locate and people want to work.
Together, these decisions demonstrate real confidence in our vision and create the conditions for long-term, sustainable regeneration that benefits the whole community.
