Plans for the redevelopment of Merseyside’s waterfront have been submitted to Wirral Council.

The plans for first phase of the ambitious scheme were handed in by developer Peel Holdings and include homes, retail and leisure facilities, including bars and restaurants.

The scheme, which focuses on the Northbank East section of Birkenhead Docks, is part of a bigger £4.5bn project, named Wirral Waters, one of the largest regeneration projects in the country.

Lindsey Ashworth, director at Peel Developments, said: “This is an important milestone in the life of Wirral Waters. It’s the start of a very long journey that will take many decades to complete. It’s the start of a new and prosperous era for what is currently an area with real problems.”

Wirral Council leader Steve Foulkes added: “A project as ambitious as this can appear to be highly aspirational and long term, however, these applications which are a result of close partnership working between Wirral Council and Peel clearly demonstrate all parties’ belief and commitment to this transformational scheme.”

The plans will be put on public display at Birkenhead Market Hall.