Initial preparatory works and the main contract to address the remediation and provide the new infrastructure will take up to two years.

The project is being delivered by Wirral Council in partnership with developers ION Property Developments, with Ion managing the delivery of the remediation and infrastructure works on the Council’s behalf.

ION will then take the lead on delivering the housing, with 633 new homes being delivered on the remediated site over the next few years.

Once that phase has been delivered, the project will then focus on the northern part of the site to deliver further housing and commence the process of demolishing the flyovers which separate the site from Birkenhead town centre.

Councillor Paul Stuart, Leader of Wirral Council said: “Hind Street has been a project on the horizon for a long time, and it’s a street name that has become synonymous with the huge amount of ambition we’ve always had for this development.

“Now that the clearance work has started, the sheer size and scale of this opportunity is obvious to see – it’s a catalyst site that will completely transform the area. It also shows our ability to work with partners to deliver a large and complex development.

Robin Metcalf, regional director at Sisk, said: “We are delighted to be working with Wirral Borough Council and ION Developments  on the initial phases for the Hind Street Urban Village Project.

“Over the next few weeks, we will be carrying out site investigation works within the gas works and Hind Street as we assist our design partners for the remediation and enabling works packages.”