 |
| Size: |
86 hectares |
| Location: |
Bidston, North Wirral |
| Local partnership: |
Groundwork Wirral, The Mersey Forest, Mersey Waste Disposal Authority, Wirral BC |
| Economic benefit: |
Developments will be an important enhancement to the area’s strategic transport corridors (road and rail) and will enhance the housing market. Links will also be made with the Capital of Culture arrangements and Mersey Waste Disposal Authority and their developments in the area. |
| Site background: |
Bidston is the last visible landmark before the eastbound Mersey Tunnel gateway to Liverpool. A former landfill site (closed in the 1990’s) the area is currently classed as unsafe for public access. Temporary fencing on site is preventing illegal motorbikes and vandals on site at present. Newlands investmentwill also create a link between the site and the National Cycle Network. Bidston Moss is adjacent to a Site of Biological Interest, home to many rare and protected barn owls and lapwings. |
At present, Newlands is liaising with landowners to proceed with tenure arrangements. Contact has been made with Wirral Council with a view to a proposed extension to the site - including a nature reserve and the golf course. A community consultation and design planning process has been completed by Groundwork Wirral coordinated by Forestry Commission and it is planned that delivery on site will commence in the [?check?] quarter of 2005 / 2006.
Construction on the cycle path around the Moss has begun, and this is complemented by a bid (submitted in partnership with the Wirral BC) to The Mersey Waterfront Park for cycling facility improvements between the coastline and Bidston Moss. Significant national opportunities are developing at Bidston for cycling facilities and The Highways Agency has been contacted with a view to developing a more strategic approach to this aspect of the project.
Newlands is also working with MWDA to integrate the continuing management of the Moss with the developing proposals for the recycling centre at Bidston. The site is also included as one of the three sites to get a share of £??k from the successful ICEP Objective 1 application for capital investment this year. |