Detailed plans for the regeneration of New Ferry are now being drawn up after the announcement of the preferred development partner on the project.
After a competitive tender process, the bid from the Regenda Group was successful and they have now started working alongside Wirral Council to deliver the significant, multi-site regeneration plan for New Ferry over the next few years.
The Regenda Group is made up of nine subsidiary companies, with a shared commitment to regenerating places and creating opportunities for people. With a number of group members involved in the New Ferry project, they will aim to ensure there are far-reaching benefits for the community as a result of the work.
The project will bring 71 new homes to the area, built by M&Y Maintenance and Construction.
To support first time buyers, the development includes 20 one and two-bedroom apartments and 31 two, three and four-bedroom houses which will be available for rent to buy through Liverpool-based property company Redwing.
A further 14 one and two-bedroom apartments, plus six two-bedroom houses, will be built for affordable rent through social housing provider, Regenda Homes.
As part of its commitment to the communities it works alongside, the Regenda Group has pledged to create opportunities for local young people throughout the project. Five apprentices will be directly employed to work on the site, with further traineeship opportunities and work experience placements available for 16–24-year-olds through The Learning Foundry.
Local schools will be invited to take part in site visits for children to learn about careers in construction and some will also benefit from the ‘Raising Aspirations’ programme the group offers through Positive Footprints.
M&Y Maintenance and Construction also have a strong track record of connecting with and supporting the communities that they work in, often becoming involved with local initiatives and charities.
Welcoming the appointment of the preferred developer, the Chair of the Economy, Regeneration and Development Committee, Cllr Tony Jones, said: “People shouldn’t underestimate the significance of this announcement. The regeneration of New Ferry is – and has been since the gas explosion in March 2017 – a top priority for the council. However, it has been and remains a complex and long-term process due to the majority of the land and buildings earmarked within the Masterplan being in private ownership.
“It has taken investment and a lot of hard work to get us to the point where a large proportion of these sites are now owned by the council and we have been able to appoint the Regenda Group as our preferred developer with a great deal of confidence that, together, we will deliver the New Ferry Masterplan within the next couple of years.
“The group consists of multi-disciplined, specialist companies and will bring a strong community focus to the project. It is committed to providing social value in this partnership as well as high-quality new buildings to New Ferry.”
Stephanie Harrison, Executive Director Operations Customer Service for Regenda Homes, said: “We’re delighted to have been selected to work alongside Wirral Council and the residents of New Ferry on this vitally important regeneration. Our proposed plans meet the critical demand for affordable rent and homeownership in the area and we look forward to sharing them with the public in due course. As a local company with a strong community focus, we have pledged to create opportunities for local schools, colleges and young people no longer in education or training throughout and hope to deliver many benefits to the wider community, who collectively have been through so much since the incident.”
The council is being supported in its work to regenerate New Ferry by a specialist real estate consultancy firm, Avison Young.
Edward Blight, Associate at Avison Young, added: “It’s been a pleasure to work with the Council to secure a partner to bring forward much-needed investment in New Ferry. The proposals for the centre will introduce new homes and reinvigorate the high street – leveraging the money we secured with the Council through the Future High Street Fund in 2020. We look forward to seeing delivery on the ground and real benefits for local residents and businesses.”
The Regenda Group will submit their detailed plans to Wirral Council’s planning committee towards the end of summer this year.
