Decision

The Assistant Director -Chief Planning Officer
has approved:
(1) the extension of the Hamilton Square Conservation Area to
include the areas of Argyle Street up to and including Birkenhead
Central Station to the south, the north side of Conway Street as
far as the Conway Centre to the west, the dock gateway and offices
on Shore Road, the former good station, warehousing and transit
sheds associated with the docks plus the Mersey Tunnel ventilation
tower to the north, and the Birkenhead County Court to the south
west, including other minor alterations as set out on the plan
attached as Appendix 1; and
(2) the Hamilton Square Conservation Area Regeneration Plan as set
out in Appendix 2.

Reasons for the decision

Section 69(1) of the Planning (Listed
Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 (the Act) requires the
Council to:
• from time to time determine which parts of its areas of
special architectural or historic interest the character or
appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance,
and
• designate those areas as conservation areas.
Section 69(2) of the Act requires the Council from time to time to
review the past exercise of functions under this section and to
determine whether any parts or any further parts of its area should
be designated as conservation areas and, if it so determines, it
shall designate those parts accordingly.
The adoption of the Hamilton Square Conservation Area Regeneration
Plan (Appendix 2) will serve as a material consideration in the
determination of relevant planning applications and enforcement
decisions.

The Act requires the review, and protection of Conservation
Areas.

The extension of the Hamilton Square Conservation Area as set out
in Appendix 1 will make more properties subject to the additional
powers available to the Council to limit and control changes to
buildings that would otherwise be allowed without the need for
express planning permission.

The Hamilton Square Conservation Area Regeneration Plan outlines
the way in which the Council will seek to preserve or enhance the
relevant area and how it will monitor its activities in this
regard. The plan also presents several regeneration proposals which
will help improve the quality of the area.

The Hamilton Square Conservation Area Regeneration Plan was subject
to a 6-week public consultation period, commencing on 7th April
2025, including events held for the local community on 24th April
2025 at Make Hamilton, 69-71 Argyle St, Birkenhead. All properties
within and surrounding the existing and proposed extended
conservation area were notified by letter.

An analysis of the consultation responses and the day long
community event and officer response has been carried out and is
set out as Appendix 3. 75 comments were received, 68 online, 7 via
paper copies. Most people were in favour of an extension of the
conservation area boundary (76.0%), 13.3% were against. Other
comments were people suggesting mixed feeling, suggestions for
further expansion or support with caveats. Several amendments have
been made to the appraisal as a result of the consultation and
community event.

It has been decided, taking account the outcome of the public
consultation to extend the boundary line of the Hamilton Square
Conservation Area to include the area of Argyle Street up to and
including Birkenhead Central Station to the south, the north side
of Conway Street as far as the Conway Centre to the west, the dock
gateway and offices on Shore Road, the former good station,
warehousing and transit sheds associated with the docks plus the
Mersey Tunnel ventilation tower to the north, and the Birkenhead
County Court to the south west, including other minor alterations,
as set out on the plan attached as Appendix 1.

It has also been decided to approve the Hamilton Square
Conservation Area Appraisal Regeneration Plan

Under section 70 (8) of the Act, in addition to notifying both the
Secretary of State and Historic England, the Council is required to
publicise designation of the extended conservation area by a notice
placed in the London Gazette and a local newspaper. Steps will be
taken to inform owners and other local people about the extension
of the conservation area.

Alternative options considered

That no amendment or an alternative amendment
to the Conservation Area takes place and no Conservation Area
Regeneration Plan is adopted which would not be in the best
interests of preserving and enhancing the Hamilton Square
Conservation Area (as amended).