Sisk kicks off two-year remediation to pave way for 1,600 Wirral homes

A £52m funding package from Homes England and the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority is being put to work in Birkenhead as the contractor begins the long process of getting the 65-acre Hind Street site ready for development.

ION Developments has appointed John Sisk & Son on a pre-construction services agreement to carry out site investigations and remediation work at the former gas works to deliver development parcels ready for the first phase to begin in 2027.

Site investigations are now underway, while remediation is due to begin in the autumn.

Phase one of Hind Street would see 633 homes and 14,000 sq ft of commercial space developed across 27 acres off Borough Road.

The second phase at the north of the site will comprise additional homes, a primary school, and the eventual demolition of the Mersey Tunnel flyovers.

Cllr Paul Stuart, Leader of Wirral Council said: “Hind Street has been a project on the horizon for a long time, and it’s a street name that has become synonymous with the huge amount of ambition we’ve always had for this development.

“Now that the clearance work has started, the sheer size and scale of this opportunity is obvious to see – it’s a catalyst site that will completely transform the area. It also shows our ability to work with partners to deliver a large and complex development.”

Eamonn Boylan, chief executive of Homes England, said the Hind Street project is a “perfect example” of the agency’s mission in action.

“It is always an exciting moment in any regeneration project to see diggers on site and work beginning to take shape,” he said.

“We’re looking forward to seeing how Wirral Council and partners progress Hind Street, from this initial stage of land remediation to the delivery of new homes breathing life into this area of Birkenhead.”

While clearance work kicks off, work on the scheme’s detailed design is going on behind the scenes, according to Steve Parry, managing director of ION Developments.

“After a significant period of planning and collaboration between a number of parties, today marks the beginning of the next chapter in this exciting project,” he said.

As well as the clearance work, we have a full team engaged in the detailed design of the remediation and new site access road. Together these mark the start of a transformative new era for this part of Birkenhead, ultimately creating a range of brand new homes and community spaces in the heart of the town.”