PLANS for three housing projects that will see more than 1,000 homes built on the Wirral Waters Development have been announced today.

The schemes, which include a dementia care village, were unveiled during MIPIM, the world's largest property event taking place this week in Cannes, France.

On the table is a £55m development of 347 modular homes on the Birkenhead dockside site.

The planned dementia care village would feature a range of amenities including a bistro, gym and hair salon, 34 one and two-bedroom apartments, available to rent or buy. 

Finally, Wirral Waters One, a £90m scheme for 500 apartments, was rubber-stamped by the Cabinet of Wirral Council so that building work can now officially get underway. Wirral Waters One also includes a £100,000 investment for community activities by The Legacy Foundation.

Richard Mawdsley, director of development at Peel Land and Property, said: "Wirral Waters is the biggest and most exciting regeneration project currently on British soil and we are immensely proud to be announcing these three major housing schemes today at MIPIM.

"Brownfield regeneration projects, like Wirral Waters, are crucial in tackling the current UK housing crisis as they take the pressure off our greenbelts.

"From over 500 acres of disused docklands, we will create an internationally recognised destination where innovation, sustainability and industry thrive; where over 20,000 permanent new jobs emerge; where wide open spaces meet world-class culture; and global companies trade alongside new waterfront housing.

"These projects have been assisted by the announcement from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government of a £6m Housing Infrastructure Fund allocation to Wirral Waters.

"Birkenhead will now begin to see the culmination of the past five years' preparations as we kick start our first three major housing schemes.

"But this is just the beginning. Over the next three years, £200m of investment is expected to take place on Wirral Waters and we’re looking forward to making further announcements soon."

At the time Wirral Waters was announced in 2010, it was anticipated that around 27,000 new jobs would be created over the next 30 years along with the complete transformation of derelict land at East Float Docks.

But the project has not been without controversy.

It came in for criticism after appearing to have stalled, prompting calls from Wirral councillor Brian Kenny for progress to be made.

Globe readers have also regularly raised doubts that the scheme will ever really take shape.

Addressing these concerns, Peel confirmed that work had been going on behind the scenes in preparations for a range of projects.

Wirral Council leader, Cllr Phil Davies said: "Building new homes, creating jobs and improving our local communities and neighbourhoods lies at the very heart of the authorities’ regeneration and economic growth plan.

"So, as one of the largest regeneration opportunities anywhere in the country, we are excited about seeing these developments take shape in Wirral Waters."

The Metro Mayor of Liverpool City Region, Steve Rotheram, who is leading the Liverpool delegation at MIPIM, said: "Housing is a critical issue for the Liverpool City Region, which is why we have set a target of 25,000 new homes before 2022.

"We also want this City Region to be an exemplar for innovation, sustainability and design excellence.

"As the region's biggest regeneration project, Wirral Waters will play a major part and we are delighted to see progress on these important housing schemes."