From (page 9 of) today's Wirral Globe -

Firm says: There’s life in the old docks yet...

Exclusive By Geoff Barnes

THE COMPANY responsible for the transformation of Salford Quays and Liverpool John Lennon Airport has created a multi-million pound vision to breath new life into acres of dockland dereliction in Wirral.

Peel Holdings, owners of Mersey Docks and Harbour Company, have been locked in talks with chief officers from Wirral Council and they used the Open Golf Championship to unveil their plans to a specially-invited audience which included council leader Cllr Steve Foulkes.

The company are staying tight-lipped about the content of their regeneration package until August 22 when a special presentation will be made at Wallasey town hall to all 66 members of the council and senior council officials. Cllr Foulkes said: "This is a major opportunity and challenge for all of us. Most people are well aware of Port Holdings' track record at Salford Quays and Liverpool Airport. They are a big player and they seem to have pretty massive plans for the dockland area which could effectively change the shape and direction of our regeneration strategy for many years to come.



"Peel Holdings have announced to us that they want to talk openly about their vision. It is not cut and dried - it is more of a vision at the moment. They are now going to the next stage of a general presentation and council members will be able to see for themselves what is involved."

Cllr Foulkes said Peel's docklands vision had already begun to take shape with the development, in collaboration with a development company, of former flour mills into luxury apartments at East Float.

He commented: "We need to allow them to set their stall out. It is quite exciting and it is good that at last the spotlight will be on this side of the water and not Liverpool."

Council regeneration chief Cllr Pat Hackett said: "There are massive plans afoot and exciting times ahead. Investment of this nature is long overdue on this side of the Mersey. Peel Holdings have the resources to do it and I believe that the potential of Wirral docklands is absolutely massive.

There are miles and miles of dereliction - the sad consequence of the demise of a once-thriving dockland area taking in both Birkenhead and Wallasey."

Cllr Foulkes conceded that the local authority had been "quite ruthless" in taking advantage of The Open's access to a worldwide audience to showcase the peninsula's business and tourism prospects.

Reddington Finance's massive redevelopment plans for the former Cammell Laird site was on display along with a special exhibition on Wirral International Business Park at Bromborough.

Among the special guests offered corporate hospitality by the local authority were representatives from six big Japanese corporations.