Purpose

The
project comprises development of a new heat network serving a mix
of buildings including new build residential, existing residential,
new build commercial and existing commercial. The project forms an
integral part of Birkenhead 2040 Regeneration Framework - one of
the biggest brownfield redevelopment sites in the UK. This
regeneration of Birkenhead will take place across nine areas
providing 21,000 new homes and almost 1,000,000m2 square
metres of employment space over the next 20 years.
 
Within this
regeneration, there are 8 catalytic projects, one of which is the
Birkenhead Heat Network (BHN). In terms of actual building
developments, the following projects will form the core heat loads
of the BHN:
 
· 
Hind Street Urban Garden Village – over 1,000 new homes;
· 
Dock Branch Park – the development linking the south of
Birkenhead with Wirral Waters;
· 
Birkenhead Commercial District – new offices and new market;
and
· 
East West Cultural Axis – existing Birkenhead Town Hall and
surrounding area
 
Under the proposals
within the report the Council will act as enabler, helping to
facilitate connection of these new developments to the BHN in
conjunction with its preferred private sector investor.

Decision

The Director of Finance has authorised the commencement
of a procurement  exercise,
to select a private sector partner who will ultimately be
responsible for the design, build, finance, operation and
maintenance of a district heat network within Birkenhead town
centre. This will be conducted through a concessionaire (evergreen)
approach, via a competitive dialogue process.