WIRRAL’S young people are one step closer to having their own state-of-the-art youth facility with the unveiling of new designs today.

The concept images follow the recent appointment of Seven Architecture, who have been instructed to design the £6 million Youth Zone facility – named The Hive – by a panel of judges consisting of local young people and representatives from the Youth Zone board including Wirral Council, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service and OnSide.

Expected to open at the end of 2016, The Hive will offer a wide range of activities for young people between eight and 19 – and up to 25 for those with a disability – including dance, sport, fitness, music and media.

The Hive will cost young people just 50p per visit.

It will be built on Exmouth Street, adjacent to Birkenhead Fire Station, and will boast a multi-use games area and skate park.

John Syvret, chief executive of Cammell Laird and Wirral Youth Zone chairman, said: “The Hive is for the young people of Wirral, so it is extremely important that the architect's design reflect this.

"We’re delighted with Seven Architecture’s proposal, their designs are incredibly inspiring and I am sure this will develop into a fantastic facility for the young people of Birkenhead.”

As well as costing around £6m to build, the Youth Zone will cost £1m to run annually.

Councillor Tony Smith, Wirral’s cabinet member for children and family services, said: “It’s fantastic to see this exciting development really starting to take shape now and we are keen to continue engaging young people in Wirral in this project every step of the way.”

The next step of the project be the submission of a planning application in March 2015.