Work to save and restore one of Wirral’s “architectural gems” has begun, following a decision by the Secretary of State for Transport to approve the re-routing and improvement of a public footpath.

The campaign to save the historic Andrew Gibson House, part of the Mariner’s Park Estate on the Wallasey waterfront, was supported by local politicians, heritage campaigners and a public petition with over 6,000 signatures.

It appeared that the battle had been won when plans by local developer Prospect Capital and supported by former owners, the Nautilus Welfare Fund, to convert the former home for the widows of retired seafarers into apartments were unanimously backed by Wirral Council’s planning committee in 2018.

However, work stalled due to legal delays processing an application to reroute the footpath running across the development site.

Craig Blackwell from development company Prospect Capital, says: “This is a massive relief and great news that we are now able to start work on the restoration of Andrew Gibson House and the wider redevelopment of the site.

“Work was due to start at the end of last year, but we were unable to begin until the footpath issue was resolved, and we had certainty that the development would be able to go ahead.

“Everyone has worked really hard to save the building, so we want to get on with the project as quickly as possible and safeguard the future of a much-loved landmark.”

The project included a new path with an additional public footway linking Blenheim Rd directly to Egremont Promenade, but the application to reroute the public footpath from Maddock Rd to Blenheim Rd was opposed by two residents.

The initial application process was aborted due to the COVID-19 lockdown, with the new application finally approved earlier this month. The decision was welcomed by the seafarers charity, the Nautilus Welfare Fund, who will be providing a new purpose-built apartment scheme as part of the wider Gibson Park development.

Olu Tunde, secretary of the Nautilus Welfare Fund, adds: “There have been a number of false dawns over the years, as this is a challenging building requiring an imaginative solution with enabling development. We are delighted that this deliverable and attractive scheme can now go ahead.

“Part of the wider use of the site will be a new, and much needed, 26 place apartment scheme which will meet the growing demand from those that the charity seeks to support”

Wirral Council has played a key role working with Prospect Capital and Nautilus to facilitate the project, by providing additional land to accommodate some of the enabling new development. Local councillors, including Wirral Council Leader Janette Williamson also played an active role in the campaign to save Andrew Gibson House.

Cllr Williamson adds: “Andrew Gibson House has a unique place in our local maritime history and I’m sure many in the local community will welcome the move to bring this site back into use and protect such an historic building.”

Concerns were raised that the delay to restoration work caused by the footpath determination process might lead to a further deterioration in the structural condition of Andrew Gibson House.

Local MP Angela Eagle, and influential conservation organisation Save Britain’s Heritage, were amongst those who lobbied the Secretary of State for Transport to approve the application to divert the path and allow restoration work to start.

The first phase of work will see the restoration of Andrew Gibson House and four detached new homes on adjacent to the main building. The subsequent phases including the new accommodation block for Nautilus will commence following the completion of the restoration.

Wirral-based selling agents Karl Tatler are confident that Andrew Gibson House’s unique architectural character and location will make it an attractive and highly desirable place to live.

Confidence in the project’s success and popularity was also expressed by Kashi Shahverdi from joint selling agents Mason Verdi. He adds: “We are extremely proud and excited to launch this amazing development.

“The location is one of a kind. It is very rare to find a location with uninterrupted Liverpool skyline views but also be away from the hustle and bustle of city centre living.”

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