Wirral’s young people are a step closer to having their new £6million youth facility with the news that the planning application to build The Hive Youth Zone, has been successfully approved by Wirral Borough Council.

The Youth Zone is to be built on Exmouth St, adjacent to the new Fire Station, in the centre of Birkenhead and will be a place where young people can reach their full potential, grow their dreams and achieve their goals.  It will be a safe and supportive community for young people to belong and be themselves.

Expected to be completed in 2016, the Youth Zone will offer a wide range of activities for young people aged between eight and 19, up to 25 for those with a disability, including; dance, sport, art, music and media. The Hive will cost young people just 50p per visit.

The planning application success is a significant milestone in the development of Wirral’s new Youth Zone and the dreams of the local young people are now closer to becoming a reality.

John Syvret CBE, Chief Executive of Cammell Laird Group Ltd and Wirral Youth Zone Chair, commented:

 “A lot of hard work went into submitting the Youth Zone’s planning application and we are delighted that hard work has now paid off. The potential the Youth Zone has for the whole borough and its future generation is unprecedented – it will change the lives of thousands of young people. The young people of Wirral want and need this facility and with the planning application given the green light, we can now look ahead to construction work commencing.”

 Cllr Phil Davies, Leader, Wirral Council, said:

 “As a major funder of the project, Wirral Council is thrilled the Youth Zone is moving forward. The opportunities it will offer young people from sports to media, arts and preparing for work are hugely exciting. Not only will it offer a safe and inspiring place for young people to meet, the Youth Zone will play an important part in helping deliver our 2020 pledges to raise young people’s aspirations, provide jobs, and help them achieve their true potential. The project will benefit the whole borough and we look forward to seeing it take shape.”

The Youth Zone will cost approximately £6million to build and £1million to run annually. Wirral Council is both a strategic partner and significant funder on the project.

Construction work on the Youth Zone will start later this year.