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.