Greenlight for 200-bed student complex to support Wirral’s maritime sector

Wirral Council has approved plans for a new student accommodation complex near Birkenhead’s Grade I-listed Hamilton Square.

A disused council building on the corner of Cleveland Street and Lord Street will be transformed into Hamilton Hub – a £12m complex containing 200 bedrooms, a gym, laundry facilities and communal garden.

Liverpool developer YPG is the company behind the project, which will expand the existing building by 70,000 sq ft.

A rooftop extension will take the property from two and three storeys to between three and five storeys.

The scheme was designed by YPG’s Projex arm and will be delivered by YPG Developments.

Construction work is expected to provide around 100 jobs.

Hamilton Hub will support the Marine Education and Training Centre development, part of the Mersey Maritime Knowledge Hub.

YPG managing director Ming Yeung said: “Knowledge-intensive sectors and higher-education establishments are vital regeneration catalysts for both Wirral and the wider Liverpool City Region.

“At YPG we’re well versed in providing student accommodation to support these industries. We listen closely to our customers’ feedback, and the green space afforded by the secret garden and the rooftop extension at Hamilton Hub are based on this.”

Wirral Council Leader Cllr Phil Davies commented: “This is yet more proof that Birkenhead is once again becoming the vibrant, thriving town we all remember.

“We welcome developments such as this and, through the new Growth Company we are well on the road to getting off the ground, it will be the next in a long line of exciting developments which will transform Birkenhead’s economy, creating a high quality offer for skills, retail and leisure in a prime location on our waterfront.”

The planning approval follows last week’s announcement that YPG is opening a 50-bedroom hotel at Liverpool ONE.