Stantec secures hattrick of planning approvals for Wirral town

Stantec, a global leader in sustainable design and engineering, has secured a hattrick of planning approvals for three transformative developments in Moreton, Wirral.

Working closely with the community, developers, and Wirral Council, Stantec’s planning team have delivered successful planning permissions for the redevelopment of a brownfield site for affordable housing, a mixed use development in Moreton town centre, and a cutting-edge analytical science facility.

The former Foxfield school site at Douglas Drive is a new development designed by DK Architects for Partnership Housing Developer Lovell Partnerships, which will deliver 66 high-quality, affordable family homes and green space. The land has been vacant since 2018 and was allocated in the emerging Local Plan as a priority site for residential development by Wirral Council as part of their brownfield first approach.

The site at Douglas Drive is highly sustainable benefitting from its proximity to shops and amenities within Moreton town centre, as well as a variety of public transport options. Stantec provided planning consultancy services and has worked with the community and local councillors to bring forward an affordable family housing development that supports better connectivity, safety and liveability.

For Wirral Growth Company, Stantec secured approval for a mixed use development at the heart of Moreton town centre. This will include a new Lidl food store, 45 new family homes, and an 80 bed residential extra care facility of which all the residences will be affordable. Stantec carried out a two stage consultation process for this development which involved workshops, one-to-one meetings, and digital engagement methods. As a result, the team adapted the initial proposals to better fit with the local community’s needs.

This meaningful approach to consultation was commended by Councillor Steve Foulkes who said: “This is very much a significant investment through private and public partnership on an area of Wallasey that needs investment. Isn’t that what regeneration is about? Involving the community, all the partners, and coming out with what seems to be a result that pleases most people.”

The proposal for a new office and analytical science facility in Moreton for global pharmaceutical company Bristol Myers Squibb also secured recent approval from Wirral Council. Here Stantec has provided planning consultancy services and advice in relation to approach to partnership working. The building is rated BREEAM Outstanding and will provide state-of-the-art facilities leading to the creation of high-tech jobs in the town.

Stantec’s planning director, Greg Dickson, commented: “Over the years, our Manchester-based team has built a fantastic working relationship with Wirral Council and its planning officers, especially after we supported Wirral Growth Company in securing planning permission for the regeneration of Birkenhead town centre. Combined, these three developments in Moreton will bring new shops and services, affordable family homes and extra care facilities, improved open space, better connectivity, improved safety and high-tech jobs for the local community.

“Across the North West but also nationwide, we’re bringing the public and private sectors together with our interdisciplinary services and planning expertise to work with local community to help regenerate, revitalise and improve the local area.”

About Stantec
Communities are fundamental. Whether around the corner or across the globe, they provide a foundation, a sense of place and of belonging. That’s why at Stantec, we always design with community in mind.

We care about the communities we serve because they’re our communities too. This allows us to assess what’s needed and connect our expertise, to appreciate nuances and envision what’s never been considered, to bring together diverse perspectives so we can collaborate towards a shared success.

We’re designers, engineers, scientists, and project managers, innovating together at the intersection of community, creativity, and client relationships. Balancing these priorities results in projects that advance the quality of life in communities across the globe.

Stantec trades on the TSX and the NYSE under the symbol STN.

Media Contact
Calum Metcalfe
Stantec Media Relations
Phone: (+44) 07928 501 112
calum.metcalfe@stantec.com