CONSTRUCTION work has started today on a landmark office development forming part of Wirral Waters in Birkenhead.

The £11m Tower Wharf scheme will see construction of a four-storey office building, which is expected to provide jobs for around 800 people.

Representatives from all agencies and organisations involved in the Tower Wharf development attended the launch ceremony this afternoon.

Wirral Council leader Phil Davies, Asif Hamid from Wirral Chamber and Karl Bergh, from developers Longmeadow Estates, performed the ceremony.

Afterwards, Cllr Davies told the Globe: "It's great to see the first major site of Wirral Waters actually underway. I think it will be the catalyst for many other developments and projects.

"From my point of view it will bring even more jobs and additional investment to the borough, which is obviously the number one priority.

"Thanks to all the key players, who have made this happen. It's brilliant to be here for the groundbreaking ceremony."

Wirral Waters is one of the most ambitious regeneration projects in the UK.

Developers Peel submitted the largest planning application in Britain for its proposed £4.5 billion scheme back in 2009.

In August of 2010 Wirral's planning committee unanimously gave the masterplan the go-ahead. 

The proposed development was so big it had to be scrutinised by the Department for Communities and Local Government.

It will see the creation of around 27,000 new jobs over the next 30 years, and the complete transformation of the docklands area.

In January 2011, Prime Minister David Cameron together with Lord Heseltine met with members of the council and were given a presentation of the project, followed by a tour of the site.

Planning permission was granted for an International Trade Centre within Wirral Waters the following September.

Also that year, the Government confrimed the site was to be at the centre of a new "Enterprise Zone."

The zones enjoy tax breaks, up to 100% discounts on rates, fast-track planning procedures and super-fast internet broadband.

And in September of this year, work began on the first building at the site preparing for Wirral Met College’s new campus, due to open next year.