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Two sites in Birkenhead have been identified as potential locations for new affordable housing under plans to make use of council-owned land across the Wirral. Possible good news if you're looking for a new place.
As reported by Birkenhead News, land at Howson Street in Rock Ferry and land at Pearson Road in Tranmere are among six surplus sites being brought forward for development as part of the Wirral Affordable Housing Accelerator Programme.
Members of Wirral Council's Policy and Resources Committee will be asked to endorse a new Strategic Land Disposal Framework at their meeting on 22 July 2026. The framework would see council-owned sites used to deliver affordable homes and social housing if approved. This would be delivered through the very new programme, Wirral Strategic Housing Partnership.
To separate them, the six sites in question have been put into two groups to create different opportunities for registered housing providers.
The six sites have been grouped into two development packages designed to create balanced opportunities for Registered Providers. The strategy brings together larger, easier-to-develop sites with smaller, more complex ones, making it more attractive for developers to invest in land that may otherwise be overlooked.
Here are the groups:
Howson Street, Rockyferry land + Bebington Town Hall site + Arrowe Hill Facilities Management Store in Woodchurch.
Pearson Road, Tranmere + Beechwood Recreation Centre in Beechwood + land at Montrose Avenue in Seacombe.
Those who want to take on the challenge would be judged on their alignment with council properties, how easy the delivery is, whether the homes are affordable, and if they are beneficial to the public or valuable.
Still, the main goal is to increase affordable housing supplies and to tackle homelessness and housing pressures across the Wirral. Wider regeneration is also a priority. Part of the goals are also in connection with the council's Wirral Housing Strategy and Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy.
Councillors will also be asked to approve a new decision-making process for selecting preferred Registered Provider partners. Under the proposals, recommendations from council officers would be based on assessments by a panel of housing and property experts, with the outcomes reported to the Strategic Housing Partnership.
Wirral Council's Policy and Resources Committee will meet on 22 July 2026 to consider the proposals. The agenda is available on the council's website.
