Welcome To Wirral

The proposals for improvements are formulated into an overall and integrated plan for the whole town centre and waterfront. This will improve economic prospects for existing businesses, residents and visitors to the town. It is intended that subject to identifying the relevant funds, proposals will be delivered on a phased basis over a number of years.

Current Proposals

The Sail Project

This involves the re-provision of the existing sailing school at the northern end of the Marine Lake and the building of a new boutique hotel on the site of the current Dee Lane car park. The Council’s preferred developer Carpenter Investments undertook a public consultation exercise in June 2008 and are currently developing their proposals informed by feedback from the consultation. The developer will return to the council with a more detailed plan in late 2008 early 2009.

For more information on Carpenter Investment’s plans for the site visit www.westkirbysail.co.uk

 

Greater Concourse Project

The Greater Concourse Project aims to re-organise and improve the area surrounding the Concourse Recreation Centre. The proposed development with a potential value of £20m is intended to bring a new, high quality investment to the town centre including the creation of a new health centre, fire station, improved parking and a high quality public square along with quality new retail provision. All the public benefits will be realised through the value of the scheme as a whole and specifically as a result of the new commercial/retail development which will transform this rather neglected part of the town. The quality of the new retail offer will complement existing provision nearby.

Following the circulation of a development brief to the market place, four developers have been short-listed. A further, more detailed brief will be issued later in the year which should lead to the appointment of a preferred developer in 2009 to take forward their emerging proposals.

 

Public Realm Improvements

Integral to the regeneration of West Kirby, is the connectivity between the marine lake and Sail project with a remodelled town centre Concourse area.

In 2007, consultants Atkins were commissioned to develop outline design proposals within the town centre. The proposals focus on introducing high quality improvements on a phased basis to the public realm and streetscene in Banks Rd, Dee Lane, Grange Rd and the Crescent, in a similar manner to those successfully introduced in Market St, Hoylake.

The main design objectives for the West Kirby Public Real Improvements are to:

• Enhance the physical and environmental street scene by creating a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere

• Increase the functionality and aesthetics of the town and introduce contemporary solutions to existing street scene issues

• Preserve and enhance the unique physical character of the town

The overall key design features are:

• Provide high quality natural stone paving

• Provide high quality street furniture (lighting, seats, litter bins, bollards, tree grills)

• Provide trees and other soft landscaping

Attention is being paid to the existing architectural styles of the town in the development of these design proposals. The purpose of the proposals is to enrich the existing setting and introduce distinctive features that will enhance the overall experience of the West Kirby street panorama.

Being dependent on the Council identifying appropriate funding, the proposed schemes will be phased but have been designed with one main theme and an overall vision which has been carefully considered throughout the development of each different scheme.

The Council is currently working on plans for Dee Lane, The Crescent and South Parade. To view the plans in more detail please visit the other pages in this section.

Future Public Realm Improvements

Subject to the availability of resources it is proposed to introduce further phased public realm improvements on both Banks Road and Grange Road to complete the regeneration of the town. The intention is that these will follow the same overall objectives and design concepts that are ultimately adopted at Dee Lane and The Crescent. However, these proposals are yet to be developed. Once the details of these schemes have been developed to outline design stage they too will be presented to the public for comment.

The Street Canopies

The Council, in discussion with local traders is currently examining prospects for the refurbishment of the early 20th Century street canopies along Banks Road and Acacia Grove which contribute significantly to the charm and attractive ambience of the town.

Completed Projects

West Kirby Coastal Projects

In partnership with various Friends groups, Wirral Council has successfully delivered a series of modest improvements across a number of parks and open spaces in West Kirby. These include the following:

• Ashton Park – Establishment of a multi-use games area in the park for young people in conjunction with the Friends of Ashton Park;

• The Boardwalk – Refurbishment of the boardwalk, steps and path along the stretch of coastline from Red Rocks to West Kirby;

• Coronation Gardens – In conjunction with the Friends of Coronation Gardens, various landscape improvements including improved footpaths, planting, new seating and the introduction of a central ornamental feature to the gardens.

• Hilbre Island – Refurbishment of meeting room, kitchen facilities, and provision of public toilets for visitors to the island;

• Victoria Gardens – New roofing to the existing shelters in the gardens.