Green light for Wirral Waters tree-planting project (From Wirral Globe)

Green light for Wirral Waters tree-planting project

1:36pm Friday 20th July 2012 in News By Craig Manning

Artist's impression of Wirral Waters scheme

A SCHEME to plant trees on green spaces and roads leading to the planned Wirral Waters development has been unanimously approved.

The £1m project, which will create an environmentally friendly approach to the £4.5bn docklands venture, was given the go-ahead by Wirral Council's cabinet on Thursday night.

Peel Developments' Wirral Waters proposal – which has been given the green light by the government - will create more than 20,000 jobs in a broad range of commercial sectors; more than 13,000 homes; office and workshop accommodation and extensive leisure and cultural facilities over a 30 to 40-year period.

The planting scheme will involve the planting of up to 600 trees on the approaches to East and West Floats at Wirral docks.

Addressing cabinet before the tree-planting scheme was approved, Council leader Phil Davies said: “I think it’s a really imaginative idea to use urban tree-planting as to enhance quality of life. It’s a really exciting project.”

Funding will be provided by the Setting the Scene for Growth programme operated through the Forestry Commission.

The Mersey Forest will spearhead the initiative that uses street tree planting as a mechanism to improve the quality of life for people in town and cities.

Green Streets works at the heart of the community with residents and partner organisations to promote the value of greenery in tackling a range of social health and economic issues.

The project will also include measures to "green" key routes in the area; create a community-based growing project; establish a "multi-age" park and establish areas of intermediate woodland and wildflower meadows.

The streets and green spaces targeted for the scheme lead from and through residential areas and along key highway links bordering the Wirral Waters site.

The planting scheme would support proposed development activity in the area.

In addition, local transport infrastructure plans, including improved cycling, walking and local transport routes, would be enhanced.

Peel plan part of the imaginative Wirral Waters development as an "international-quality leisure destination."

They propose a series of five different quarters at East Float – each with its own character and design.

They would be called Sky City, Northbank West, Four Bridges, Marina View and Vittoria Studios.

Bidston and St James ward councillor Harry Smith, Wirral’s cabinet member for streetscene and transport services, said: “This scheme will greatly improve the quality of life for people in the area.

“It will also add to the beautification project currently taking place in Birkenhead North.”