RESIDENTS in New Ferry will get the chance to have their say on a residential masterplan for the area this week. 

At two public consultation sessions this week, people will be presented with a number of options for possible residential developments within the town and asked for their comments with the intention of identifying a 'preferred' development option to take forward.

The plans have been put together by consultants BDP – who were appointed by Homes England to work alongside Wirral Council to develop the residential element of the wider New Ferry Regeneration Plan.

It is part of a wider plan aimed at revitalising a community which is still reeling from the impact of an explosion in March 2017.

The consultation events will take place at Windsor Close Community Centre in Windsor Close, New Ferry this Wednesday (January 30) from 3.30–6.30pm and Thursday (January 31) from 3.30–7pm.

Council officers will be in attendance alongside representatives from BDP’s multi-disciplinary team and Homes England.

Visitors will be asked to complete comments forms which will help formulate a preferred option so that further work can be carried out on developing an implementation process and timetable for delivery.

Running in parallel with this work, Wirral Council is moving forward with its own plan to invest £1.3 million to support the land assembly exercise that is needed to facilitate the proposed new residential developments.

This involves buying a number of derelict and dilapidated properties in the area, which are currently in private ownership, and demolishing them as part of the development plans.

Cllr Phil Davies, leader of Wirral Council, said: "Over the past few months, the council has been working with Homes England – and its appointed consultants – to make progress on a residential masterplan for the area, one which will provide a key trigger for the wider regeneration of New Ferry.

"The focus of this new residential plan is based around the Woodhead Street car park area, which is already in the council’s ownership.

"The strategic acquisition of the properties on New Chester Road will remove the blight of those derelict buildings and open up the wider site for attractive redevelopment, including new community amenities and homes."