Plans for new garden village in Birkenhead take major step forward

A huge regeneration project that’s set to transform a former industrial site in Birkenhead into a garden village, has officially taken its next big step, paving the way for hundreds of new homes just minutes from the town centre.

Wirral Council and ION Property Developments Ltd have now signed a Master Development Agreement to kickstart the long-awaited Hind Street Urban Village – a major new neighbourhood that’s expected to grow over the next 10 to 15 years.

The agreement lays out the framework for the full development of the site, which will eventually include around 1,600 homes. It’s part of Wirral’s bold brownfield-first approach to regeneration, with a strong focus on community, sustainability and bringing neglected spaces back into use.

To help make it happen, the project has secured more than £52 million in public funding – with £29.8 million coming from Homes England and £22.4 million from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority – supporting the vital infrastructure and groundwork needed to unlock the site and deliver the first 633 homes.

Early work has already started, with contractor John Sisk & Son clearing vegetation and preparing the land ahead of full remediation and infrastructure works, which are expected to take around two years. Housebuilding is expected to begin once that stage is complete.

ION will lead the delivery of the new homes, initially managing the infrastructure phase before construction begins. Legal and strategic input from Trowers & Hamlins, CBRE and Radics Consulting has helped move the project forward, with a final business plan due to go before Wirral Council in the near future.

Cllr Paula Basnett, Leader of Wirral Council, said:
“This is more than just a housing development – it’s the start of a brand new chapter for Birkenhead.
Hind Street Urban Village will transform a long-neglected site into a thriving new community right in the heart of the borough. It reflects everything our brownfield-first regeneration strategy is about: bold, sustainable growth that puts people and place first.

With high-quality housing, green spaces and a design shaped around everyday life, this will raise the bar for urban living in Wirral. Signing this agreement is a major milestone and I’m looking forward to watching this new neighbourhood come to life.”

Steve Parry, Managing Director of ION Developments, added:
“We’ve worked closely with Wirral Council to help bring this vision forward and it’s great to now reach the next phase.

Our team has a clear, deliverable plan for the site and we’re excited to push on with the remediation work and infrastructure before moving into the housing phase.

Community is at the heart of what we’re trying to build here, and we’re looking forward to keeping local people updated and involved as things progress.”

The Hind Street Urban Village is part of a wider transformation plan for Birkenhead, aimed at creating places where people want to live, work and spend time.