Ion submits plans for expansive Birkenhead scheme

Regeneration specialists Ion Property Developments have submitted a formal planning application for an “expansive” scheme it claims will “transform the Hind Street area of Birkenhead” and get rid of the concrete flyovers that provide a barrier between the area and the town centre.  

The application outlines plans for the low-carbon scheme including 1,600 new homes, a new primary school and up to 60,200 sq metres of commercial space.

Ion has been working with Wirral Council and other stakeholders on the low-carbon urban village proposal that will create a new neighbourhood, close to Birkenhead Town Centre and its two railway stations (Birkenhead Central and Green Lane) and the parties signed a formal Development Management Agreement in 2022, as reported on TheBusinessDesk.com at the time.

Spreading over 26-hectares the Hind Street Urban Garden Village Project is designed to fulfil the Council’s ambition to get rid of the 1960’s flyovers that currently act as a visual and physical barrier to the centre. 

The current application includes the remedial and infrastructure works for the southern section of the project. 

Wirral Council’s Local Plan (2021-2037) has targeted residential development on brownfield sites. 

The Hind Street project will also include the re-purposing of the former Birkenhead Gas Works and the Mollington Train Maintenance Depot and potentially transform the former Dock Branch train line into an active travel corridor and leisure route, to connect with other active travel routes being planned for the town. 

The scheme will also exceed the Biodiversity Net Gain targets established through the emerging Local Plan. 

Steve Parry, managing director of Ion, said: ‘The new and existing neighbourhood, which includes 1,600 new homes, will enjoy new and more seamless connections within the neighbourhood and to the town centre itself, as well as much better connections to Liverpool and other city region transport hubs.  We’re working hard towards a goal of achieving the highest quality green urban village, which we hope will set a standard for innovation, connectivity, and quality of life.”  

Ion, formerly Neptune Developments, are working in collaboration with WSP (planning consultancy, transportation, and environmental assessment), BDP (masterplanning and architecture), Planit.ie (landscape), and Curtins (remediation & engineering); and are working towards the highest standards of urban design in close collaboration with Homes England and Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.

Ion’s track record includes Mann Island, Liverpool Science Park and the redevelopment of the original Speke Airport hangars and Terminal Buildings.

Hind Street Masterplan will link area to town centre and railway station

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