Major manufacturing facility for Wirral Waters
THE Peel Group has lodged plans for a “transformational” 175,000 sq ft energy sector manufacturing facility at its Wirral Waters scheme.
It will be part of the Advanced Supplier Park proposed for the 60-acre former Mobil oil storage site on the West Float part of the £4.5bn regeneration of Birkenhead Docks.
Wirral Borough Council has also submitted plans for a 14,000 sq ft off-shore survival centre nearby, which will provide training for those working in the renewable energy sector.
Last year Peel said it was hoping to attract suppliers of Jaguar Land Rover and General Motors, which produce cars at Halewood and Ellesmere Port, as well as Bentley in Crewe and Toyota on Deeside.
But according to a planning statement, the factory will make large, pressurised metal components for use in the energy sector. It is being brought forward in a joint venture between, “two blue chip manufacturing organisations”.
“The project is of global significance, being one of only a handful of facilities with this capability and expertise in the world,” said Peel. “The proposal is also of national importance, being a catalytic and transformational project within the context of the national energy sector that is supported by central government.”
The area qualifies for enhanced capital allowances – one of six zones in the country, and the only one in the North West. This will give investors relief on capital expenditure in an area already free of business rates due to its enterprise zone status.
The site on Beaufort Road is next to the planned 500,000 sq ft International Trade Centre site which will only be constructed when once tenants are signed up.
A spokesperson for The Peel Group said: “We can confirm that we have submitted a planning application for a 175,000 sq ft manufacturing facility within Wirral Waters. We are working with partners on an opportunity that would contribute to our plans for economic regeneration of the Birkenhead Docks area.
“The initiative – which is part of the Mersey Waters Enterprise Zone – is currently undergoing a staged approval process and remains subject to a number of significant external governing factors. There will be a further update in due course.”
The architect on the project is Broadway Malyan and the project manager is Aecom.
