Top architects appointed to help shape future look and design of Birkenhead
Award-winning Anglo-Dutch architects have been appointed by Wirral Council to help create a high quality design guide for future development of Birkenhead.
Maccreanor Lavington has been chosen to assist in devising a comprehensive Design Guide and Public Realm Guide for the town as it moves towards the next major step in ambitious regeneration plans.
Establishing a minimum threshold of high quality development standards will help ensure all new developments deliver excellent quality homes, offices and business premises
The Design Guide and Public Realm Guide for Birkenhead is a key part of the delivery strategy of the Birkenhead 2040 Regeneration Framework – a 20-year plan which sets out the most radical proposals for the town since the 1947 Town Plan.
The guide will be used to steer the future design of buildings and places such as green spaces and public areas in Birkenhead and developers will be expected to show how they have complied with the design guide when they submit their planning applications.
Maccreanor Lavington’s multidisciplinary team includes Landscape Projects (Landscape Architecture), Civic Engineers (Transport Engineers), Useful Projects (Sustainability), and PLACED (Community engagement).
It is anticipated that the guide will be adopted as a Supplementary Planning Document following adoption of the Local Plan. The Public Realm Strategy will ensure that individual projects are designed to a high and consistent quality and approach across Birkenhead
Chair of Wirral Council’s economy, regeneration and development committee, Cllr Tony Jones, said: “The appointment of Maccreanor Lavington is an important step as we move ahead, not just with the focus on Birkenhead town centre, but the Local Plan for all of Wirral.
“This appointment of such highly regarded architectural specialists is also a statement of intent that Wirral will not settle for anything less than high quality developments as we move forward to deliver for residents and businesses.”
Kevin Logan, director of Maccreanor Lavington’s Urban Studio, said: “We are very pleased to have been appointed and are excited by the opportunity to work collaboratively with Wirral Council to develop guidance to steer the urban evolution and enhancement of Birkenhead.
“We believe there is a real generational opportunity to deliver social, economic, and environmental regeneration for Birkenhead and the wider area, whilst building on its unique characters and qualities to create a series of exemplar urban neighbourhoods that are resilient, distinct, and future proofed.”
The appointment follows a procurement process that has been undertaken in accordance with the council’s contract procedure rules and public procurement regulations.
