Plan approved for £4.5bn Wirral Waters development

Peel Holdings said the development will create tens of thousands of jobs

Plans for a £4.5bn transformation of the Wirral waterfront have been approved by councillors.

Wirral Waters will include several landmark high rise-buildings, green spaces and 13,000 homes on land around the borough's docklands.

Wirral Council's planning committee gave the proposal their backing on Tuesday night.

Council leader Jeff Green said it was a "fantastic day" for local residents and the future of the area.

"We can now look forward to the site's transformation over the coming years to help improve the economic fortunes of the borough and that of its residents," he said.

'Waterside destination'

The council said it hoped work would start on the 18m sq ft scheme within the next two years, subject to approval from the government.

Developer Peel Holdings said the development will create tens of thousands of jobs during construction, which will take about 30 years, and approximately 27,000 jobs when completed.

The firm is also planning a £5.5bn Liverpool Waters scheme on the opposite banks of the Mersey.

It said it wants to transform the Merseyside docklands into a "waterside destination" to rival New York, Sydney and Shanghai.