Towers of power for Wirral docklands?
By Justin Dunn
MAJESTIC: Canary Wharf tower. Ambitious plans to transform Wirral's docklands would mirror the early 1990s redevelopment of East London's once derelict riverside site
A FOUR BILLION pound masterplan to transform Wirral's decaying docklands into a glittering Canary Wharf-style business park was unveiled to "astonished" councillors last week.
The brains behind Manchester's hugely successful Trafford Centre and the same city's upmarket Salford Quays development want to make the docks - separating Birkenhead and Wallasey - a business centre complete with skyscrapers, hotels, luxury homes and retail facilities.
The ambitious plan - laid out in a "very impressive" video presentation behind closed doors to selected councillors last week - even has scaled-down versions of some of the world's most iconic buildings.
They would include smaller imitations of both the Petrona Towers in the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur, and of the world's only seven star hotel, Dubai's Burj Al Arab - acknowledged as the finest hotel on the planet.
Developer Peel Holdings, who also own Liverpool Airport, recently added the Mersey Docks and Harbour Company to its portfolio, making Peel the country's second biggest ports owner.
Reports in the national financial press have suggested that the company's main interest in buying up former dock sites throughout the country has been specifically to develop what it sees as the under-utilised property and space contained within the waterfront sites.
Last week's presentation was "incredibly impressive", said Seacombe Labour councillor John Salter.
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"I've honestly never seen anything quite like it.
“A tremendous amount of work had gone into the presentation alone. It was like watching some kind of Hollywood movie."
"Obviously it was very exciting and ambitious but I think it's fair to say that we all walked out of the room afterwards feeling very positive about it.
"Peel Holdings have a track record that is second to none. Everyone concerned knows that a planning inquiry would be inevitable but I think this is a scheme that should be explored and encouraged."
The development would take place over a 30-year period, said Cllr Salter. "I probably won't be around to see it, sadly, but that's no reason not to support it.
"There will be a cruise liner terminal opening in Liverpool soon, which will see the return of some grand ships to the River Mersey.
"Look at all the work and redevelopment going on in Liverpool. Visitors will see a wonderful waterfront on one side, and a drab one on ours.
"The fact is, Wirral is starting to look a big stagnant in comparison. But if this is plan goes ahead, which on the face of it I would like to see, then the very opposite will be true."
Redevelopment of the docks began just three months ago when restoration of the former East Float flour mill began. Over £19m is being spent to turn them into luxury Albert Dock-style apartments.
Peel Holdings refused to comment when contacted by the Globe, but a spokeswoman said full details of their proposals would be released to the public on September 5.
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