NEW images released by Wirral Council show what Birkenhead town centre could look like if more than 2,000 new homes, hotels, a new leisure centre and cinema are built. The local authority said it was “another major step forward in our plans to revitalise the town centre” as it asks for public feedback for a third time.

Two plans are being put forward in the town centre including the creation of a new neighbourhood around St Werburgh’s Square near Birkenhead Central station as well as wider plans across Birkenhead town centre. 2,255 homes could be built in these areas and will tie into other plans for the town including the 1,500 home Hind Street Urban Village.

(Image: Wirral Council) For the town centre, the local authority said it expects 1,685 homes to be built across three areas with nearly 1,000 around Conway Street and Europa Boulevard, 450, around Grange Road, and 250 more around Charing Cross. In St Werburgh’s, 570 new homes could be built.

Alongside the homes, there are plans to relocate Europa Pools leisure centre as it is “one of the highest draws within the town centre” but the current building is ageing. The site would then become homes while a new substation is built next to it.

(Image: Wirral Council)

The town’s Vue Cinema could also move as it currently “acts like an out of town destination” but no restaurants or cafés to support it. As it performs badly and is owned by the council, the local authority is considering moving this too into the town centre to be replaced by four to nine storey flats.

There are also plans for a new health and well-being hub, potentially moving Birkenhead library into town centre, three multi story car parks, new green spaces, new hotels, a new Birkenhead Market, and removing the flyovers to the Birkenhead tunnel. Europa Square car park next to the council’s new offices will be kept while new parking is created along Borough Road, the main road to the south of the town centre

A new “sponge park” could also be created along Borough Road which will take in surface water run off when it rains and reduce the risk of sewage discharges into the Mersey. The earliest plans for the road show there used to be a stream flowing into the Mersey and the sewer system in the area is “already at flood risk.”

The local authority said it would “create a new green identity,” open up views into the town centre, and encourage people to visit Birkenhead. Moving leisure services into the town centre, the council said this will create “a 24/7 place that welcomes all” and support restaurants, cafés and bars “with a family focus.”

Going forward, the masterplan for the town centre said: “The council will increasingly consider restricting through traffic that is not shopping or using Birkenhead town centre facilities. The reallocation of road space to greening initiatives and supporting a modal shift to encourage more walking and cycling will be prioritised.”