Planning application submitted for Peel's International Trade Centre

ON 2nd June 2011, Peel the International Trade Centre Planning Application to be located in Wirral was submitted to Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. Following the launch of the Peel International Trade Centre concept earlier in the year (2011). ITC is to be located at West Float, as part of the Wirral Waters development. This follows Peel’s success in securing one of the UK’s first Enterprise Zones granted by the Government in May 2011, aptly named Mersey Waters, which covers both Liverpool Waters and Wirral Waters. Should it go ahead this development will be unique in the UK and will bring substantial international investment to an area in need of major regeneration.  It has the potential to create over 3,000 new jobs many of which will be available to local people.

Peel Director Lindsey Ashworth commented:- "This is a fantastic and exciting project where everybody wins  .All local retailers will have access on their doorstep to high quality products manufactured overseas, and local people will have the opportunity to apply for new jobs that will be created. Peel will establish stronger business relationships with China and other emerging economies which we believe will be the start of additional overseas joint vent res that move other projects forward and kick-start m ch needed growth in the Northwest region."

Cllr. Steve Foulkes, Leader of Wirral Council said:- "Whilst the International Trade Centre application will be independently decided by the Council’s Planning Committee, it is fantastic to see the Wirral Waters vision, as launched by Peel in 2006 becoming a reality. The Trade Centre will be the cornerstone of what is a landscape transforming development not just for Wirral but the Liverpool City Region as a whole.  It is hopefully the first of many exciting ventures to be based at the site and has come to fruition because of the close international links that have been forged with China by both Peel and Wirral Council.  This project has the potential to deliver much needed investment and jobs for local people and I am personally determined that this is just the beginning of a new dawn for Birkenhead and Wirral."

Email our newsroom with your views on this development application today via:- news24@southportreporter.com.   Related archived news reports:- Link 1 | Link 2 | Link 3.

New era for North Liverpool

THE green light is set to be given to an ambitious, 20 year plan to revitalise North Liverpool and South Sefton. The city council’s Cabinet will be asked to officially endorse the North Liverpool and South Sefton Strategic Regeneration Framework (SRF) on Friday, 3 June 2011.  The plans, which will see Liverpool and Sefton joining forces, aim to breathe new life into North Liverpool and South Sefton, increase job opportunities, attract investment and improve life for residents. They also look at how current regeneration schemes, such as Liverpool Waters, the development of the port, Everton Park and Everton and Liverpool Football Clubs can help maximise economic growth for the area. Put together by a steering group led by Liverpool Vision, and comprising Liverpool and Sefton Councils, the NWDA, Government Office and Homes and Communities Agency - the strategy covers the four wards of Anfield, County, Everton and Kirkdale, and the two wards of Derby and Linacre in South Sefton. They will form the blueprint for regeneration in these areas over the next 20 years.  Councillor Malcolm Kennedy, the city council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration, said:- "This hugely important strategy will be the driving force for the regeneration of North Liverpool over the next two decades. It will be an invaluable tool for showcasing our shared vision for the area to potential developers, investors and the Government. The regeneration of North Liverpool is a major priority for us. It faces many challenges, but also many opportunities, with a number of schemes already underway which have the potential to transform the area. By bringing a range of partners together, this strategy will significantly strengthen our ability to drive forward major projects and attract vital resources."

The SRF focuses on 3 key areas:-

► Economy and Employment – looking at projects to encourage economic growth in the area, including the Liverpool Waters scheme, the expansion of the port, Everton FC and Liverpool FC football stadia, and the £150 million Project Jennifer scheme.

► People and Communities – looking at ways partners can work together to address social issues, including driving up education standards, creating a region-wide health plan and promoting the arts

► Neighbourhood and Places – pledging to continue improving housing stock, strengthen district centres such as Bootle town centre and improve green spaces and the transport infrastructure

The city council’s Director for Regeneration and Employment, Nick Kavanagh said:- "North Liverpool remains the most deprived part of the city – yet it contains some of our most valuable assets. It’s vital that we work together to maximise these assets, attract investment and improve the lives of local people. The SRF will help us achieve this. It lays out our long term commitment to the area, and will be the basis upon which the city council and its partners work together to bring forward the much-needed regeneration of the area."

Alan Lunt, Director of Built Environment at Sefton Council, said:- "This strategy will help define the offer that is North Liverpool and South Sefton. There’s so much going on. We felt that there were big opportunities to create synergy to help attract private sector investment. That investment is what is going to drive regeneration in the area for the foreseeable future."

Ian McCarthy, director of programmes at Liverpool Vision, said:- "It is most important that the framework provides the stimulus for action, increasing confidence in the private sector to invest in the way that business confidence has increased in other parts of the city. The framework also provides a basis to co-ordinate targeted actions of local and national government, the community and business sectors."