Wirral sets out RGF priorities

WIRRAL Borough Council has set out four key priorities for what is likely to be the last round of Regional Growth Fund cash until 2013-14.

The council will seek cash for four projects, with the main priority centred around the Wirral Waters Enterprise Zone.

It is hoping to create a “buffer zone” around the edges of the Enterprise Zone where it is looking to acquire land that will improve linkages between the planned zone and Birkenhead town centre.

“This work will also include strategic land assembly projects that will support the regeneration of the Wirral Waters Partnership areas where there is a clear opportunity for driving employment growth,” the council states in a document due for approval by its cabinet tomorrow.

It is also investigating whether this buffer zone could generate revenues from businesses that could be used for a long-term investment vehicle, similar to Liverpool city region’s new £30m Chrysalis Fund.

Another proposed bid would be based on developing offshore renewable energy space following the award of a contract to Cammell Laird last year to support the construction of the Gwynt Y Mor wind farm off the North Wales coast.

The council believes that an R&D centre can be built close to Cammell Laird’s base offering space for firms in the sector who want to be close to a major manufacturer.

“Wirral also has additional quayside locations that could be further utilised to provide sites for the development of advanced manufacturing, fabrication and assembly as well as operations and maintenance activities,” it states.

“The development of such sites would enable local companies to take full advantage of the many supply chain opportunities around offshore wind, but also provide ideal locations for the global energy players already active in the borough.”

Bids are also set to be made for cash to support the roll-out of next generation broadband across the area – particularly to its key employment sites and business parks – and for a pot of cash to fund developments for potentially high-growth businesses which don’t meet the minimum £1m funding requirement for their own RGF bids.

The closing date for bids for the remaining £1bn of Regional Growth Fund money is June 13.