Landmark Wirral Waters development reaches final completion
The award-winning Millers Quay residential development at Wirral Waters is now complete, transforming the Wirral skyline, delivering 500 high quality, new homes for local residents, and providing a huge boost to the local economy.
An exemplar of brownfield regeneration and a pioneer in modern, sustainable construction, Millers Quay is a landmark development within Wirral Waters, which itself is one of the UK’s largest and most innovative regeneration projects, delivered by waterside regeneration specialists Peel Waters.
This transformative project has been delivered on time and on budget by Peel Waters, the developer of Millers Quay, in partnership with construction group GRAHAM, funding partner Pension Insurance Corporation plc, and Wirral Council, with support from Homes England.
Representatives from each of the partners, in addition to local MP Dame Angela Eagle, gathered on Friday 28 March to officially mark and celebrate the completion of this landmark development, which also includes 100 affordable new homes.
Millers Quay has been commended for the social impact delivered within the local community throughout its construction. The development has provided significant socio-economic benefits, including £31m in Social Economic Return on Investment (SROI) and £44m spent with local supply chain partners. Over £1m per month has been invested in local labour, with well over 1,000 people employed on the project and almost 75% of the workforce living within a 30-mile radius of the site.
GRAHAM’s innovative CRE8 programme, delivered at Millers Quay, provided meaningful training and employment for local individuals, with most participants securing employment following their placements. Over 400 students from Wirral Met College’s Construction Campus – Peel Waters first development at Wirral Waters - have also benefitted from Millers Quay, with students taking part in site tours, Q&A’s with site managers as well as the opportunity to complete a variety of on-site work placements.
With the bold design and extensive views across the water, combined with sustainability and energy efficiency credentials including solar power systems and air source heat pumps, the £130m Millers Quay development has already received an extremely high volume of enquiries and viewings.
Last summer, the first two blocks of Millers Quay - Copper Mill and Steam Yard – were completed. These 150 one- and two-bedroom apartments were all let within just three months. Now, the final 350 new homes within four blocks - Soda Factory, Salt House, Glaze Works and Lime Studio - are also complete bringing the construction of Millers Quay to an end. Letting agent, JLL, has already received thousands of enquiries and requests to view, largely from the local areas across Liverpool and Wirral.
Millers Quay is part of the emerging Northbank neighbourhood at Wirral Waters, where contemporary and sustainable urban living is surrounded by green spaces and dockside walkways.
Plans for a new Sainsbury’s Local store at Millers Quay were approved by Wirral Council last month. The purpose built, stand-alone store will be located on the corner of Dock Road and Duke Street, on the doorstep of Millers Quay and at the heart of the growing community at Wirral Waters.
Wirral Waters is part of Peel Waters, a UK wide portfolio of vibrant and innovative, waterfront developments, delivering large-scale, sustainable regeneration projects, creating jobs, economic growth, new homes and new public realm across the country.
Councillor Paul Stuart, Leader of Wirral Council said:
Seeing Miller’s Quay come to completion is a pivotal moment for Wirral’s regeneration, and showcases what can be done when partners come together to bring forward innovative developments that have the community at their heart.
This project is a fantastic example of brownfield redevelopment, delivering high quality sustainable new homes and some much-needed affordable housing, but equally importantly, creating new jobs, boosting the local economy and upskilling the next generation of workers.
Richard Mawdsley, Development Director at Wirral Waters, said:
The construction of Millers Quay has been driven by a really solid collaboration, with each partner instrumental in its delivery. We couldn’t have done it without the support, financial backing and expertise provided by our funding partner Pension Insurance Corporation plc (“PIC”), construction firm GRAHAM, Homes England, and Wirral Council.
This is a very proud moment for Peel Waters and I’d like to thank the local community for being so supportive and patient throughout its construction, and to the incredible students at Wirral Met College for getting their hands dirty and helping us to learn and innovate throughout this monumental building project. We have all learnt so much and can be justifiably proud of what we have achieved together.
Jess Adams, Senior Investment Manager at PIC, said:
We are incredibly proud to mark the completion of this transformative project, which signals the beginning of a new era for an area that was once considered unsuitable for housing. Millers Quay is a true testament to the impact of strong partnerships, with Peel Waters, PIC, GRAHAM, Homes England, Wirral Council, and Wirral Met College all playing a crucial role in bringing this vision to reality.
This collaborative public-private partnership approach is essential to unlocking regeneration and addressing the UK’s pressing housing needs, whilst also supporting PIC’s core purpose of delivering secure, long-term, inflation-linked cash flows to pay our policyholders’ pensions over coming decades.
On a personal level, having grown up in the North West, and professionally, having followed this development from its earliest stages, it is incredibly rewarding to see Millers Quay come to life, and to witness the strong demand for homes here.
Beyond the physical transformation, the impact on local construction students and the wider community has been far reaching & inspiring, the skills and knowledge gained in sustainable construction will have lasting benefits for all involved & the continued regeneration of Wirral Waters. Millers Quay exemplifies what is possible when a long-term investor, an experienced local developer driven by enhancing the community, a forward-thinking local authority, and Homes England work together with a shared commitment to delivering meaningful social value.
Peter Reavey, Regional Director at GRAHAM, said:
The completion of Millers Quay is a proud moment for everyone involved. This project not only delivers high-quality homes but also demonstrates our commitment to creating positive, lasting impact in the communities where we work. The opportunities we’ve provided for local students and the support for local businesses highlight the broader benefits of developments like these.
Dame Angela Eagle DBE MP, added:
The completion of Millers Quay marks a significant milestone for our community. This transformative project not only provides much-needed homes but also plays a crucial role in revitalising our local economy. It stands as a powerful example of the success that can be achieved through public-private partnerships.
The development has already proven to be incredibly successful, with 100% occupancy of its first phase reached within just 12 weeks. This rapid uptake highlights the strong demand for high-quality, sustainable housing in the area, and I am thrilled that Millers Quay has been able to address these needs so effectively.
The project has also made a meaningful social impact. Nearly 75% of the workforce comes from within a 30-mile radius, ensuring that local people are directly benefiting from this investment. Additionally, Millers Quay has provided invaluable opportunities for 400 students from Wirral Met College, offering them hands-on experience through site tours and Q&A sessions with site managers.
Millers Quay is not just a housing development; it is an investment in the future of our young people and the local workforce. I am confident it will make a lasting, positive difference in residents' lives, and the opportunities it has created for young people serve as a shining example of how developers can apply social value to their projects.
Designed with sustainability at its core, Millers Quay utilises low-carbon technologies to reduce emissions, ensuring all homes are resource-efficient and built with the environment in mind. This development is a beacon of sustainable growth that other projects should aspire to emulate.
Millers Quay is a symbol of community spirit and will play a key role in delivering Wirral’s local plan, helping us meet government housing targets and build a brighter, more prosperous future for everyone.
To find out more about lettings at Millers Quay, please visit www.millers-quay.co.uk, email Millers.Quay@jll.com or call 0151 452 3090.
