Peel submits UK’s ‘biggest planning application’

Peel Group has submitted what the property company has claimed is the UK’s largest ever planning application. 

This is for the East Float part of its scheme known as Wirral Waters, a £4.5bn project which centres on plans for the regeneration of Birkenhead Docks.

The East Float proposals comprise what the developer says is a “sustainable and green high-density and part high-rise” scheme offering some 1.4 million square metres of mixed-use floor space.

As well as providing office/workshop accommodation to support more than 20,000 jobs in a broad range of commercial sectors, the scheme also includes more than 13,000 homes and leisure and culture facilities. 

The East Float project has been developed over the last three years with support from Wirral Council, the local community and a range of partners and stakeholders and has been the subject of a major consultation process in the area affected. 

Peel development director Lindsey Ashworth said: “This has been a massive, difficult and complex but exciting journey bringing this project together over the last three years to the point of submitting a planning application.”

The leader of Wirral Council, Steve Foulkes, said: “This is a significant step in our vision to regenerate Wirral. Importantly, it is encouraging that even at a time of such economic difficulties we continue to make significant progress towards the delivery of our ambitious investment strategy. 

“The challenge for us now is to ensure this exciting vision delivers real benefits for the residents and businesses of Wirral and indeed the wider region.”

Peel expects the planning application will be considered in the spring of 2010. .

View the Wirral Waters exhibition

 

Roger Milne

17 December 2009