REGENERATION experts from across Merseyside called on the new government to seize the opportunities for Wirral of low-carbon homes, greener regeneration and the potential of effective partnerships at a special event hosted by The Hive Youth Zone.  

A panel of experts from the housebuilding, investment, regeneration and shipbuilding sectors came together at Wirral’s youth zone in Birkenhead for the summer networking breakfast event of its Hive100 network of business supporters. 

Peel L&P's Director of Development for Wirral Waters, Richard Mawdsley; investment consultant and Tranmere Rovers FC Vice-Chair Nicola Palios; Starship’s Director of Regeneration and Place, Simon Humphreys and Mike Hill, Managing Director of Cammel Laird Shiprepairers and Shipbuilders made up the panel, chaired by Chris Shirling-Rooke MBE. 

Asks of the new government – which last week proposed a new Planning and Infrastructure Bill in the King’s Speech at the opening of the new parliament, to "turbocharge building of houses and infrastructure" - included:  seed funding for a focal point of “things to do” in the docks. The panel recognised that a blend of office space, houses and things to do is a hallmark of successful regeneration schemes elsewhere in the country, including Salford Quays, Bristol Harbourside, Gatehead and Battersea Power Station;  investment in ‘zero-bill’ homes; devolution of power to “streamline processes of getting the money out, and to hold local and combined authorities to account to deliver"; recognise and support for Wirral to realise the potential for Wirral Waters to be one of the greenest regeneration projects in the UK.  

The event at The Hive came seven years after it opened as a landmark building which was itself part of the regeneration of this part of Birkenhead. The Hive100 group – a collective of local organisations and businesses which are passionate supporters of The Hive’s work – has so far contributed well over £330,000 to help young members of the youth zone. 

Chair, Chris Shirling-Rooke MBE, said: “Regen is just regen, right? Wrong. It supports jobs, growth; being a Birko boy I’m not going to say we’ve always got it right here, but with a new government, a new direction and the focus on coastal communities, we have a real opportunity.” 

Hive CEO, Jayne Wilson, who reflected on the power of regeneration for young people in an area like Birkenhead, added: “Buildings are just the start of regeneration - as we know only too well in this unique building.

"We're here for the long term of young people...if we can help a young person get into a job, that is the best thing we can do at The Hive. We've heard so much today about partnership and it really is true. It doesn’t take a village to raise a young person – it takes the whole peninsula.”     

To join the Hive100, contact ashley.pennington@thehiveyouthzone.org or visit https://www.thehiveyouthzone.org/support-us/join-the-hive-100/