Our new Youth Zone in Wirral is fast becoming a reality with the news that a planning application to build The Hive Youth Zone, has recently been submitted to Wirral Borough Council for approval.

This news also comes united with the announcement that Capenhurst based nuclear enrichment company, URENCO UK Limited, will be the first Founder Patron of the Youth Zone.

Expected to open at the end of 2016, the submission of a planning application marks a significant milestone in the development of Wirral’s new Youth Zone and with URENCO now confirmed as the first Founder Patron, the project is really starting to take shape.

John Syvret CBE, Chief Executive of Cammell Laird Group Ltd and Wirral Youth Zone Chair, commented on both success stories: “There has been a lot of hard work gone into getting the Youth Zone’s planning application ready and we are delighted to now be in a position to submit. The young people of Wirral are long overdue a youth facility of this standard and with the planning application now in place, we are now on the road to making the dream a reality.

“An equally important milestone is the confirmation that URENCO has agreed to support the Youth Zone’s mission to help transform the lives of young people in this borough and become the first Founder Patron. URENCO is a very successful company with strong community-led values. We’re incredibly grateful for their support and I am confident that it will not only be their financial investment that will help enable the Youth Zone’s success, but their strong CSR values will play a significant role as well.”

URENCO already works hard at building strong relations with the communities in which it operates, supporting various local projects with charitable donations to providing educational support to local schools and colleges, to help encourage a better understanding of nuclear energy.

Steve Ball Head of Human Resources at URENCO commented: “We are delighted to come on board as the first Founder Patron of Wirral’s new Youth Zone. The Youth Zone model is a fantastic concept and we firmly believe that young people should have the opportunity to experience a wide variety of activities to help raise their aspirations and shape their future. Wirral Youth Zone is set to be a fantastic facility and we are delighted to be playing a part in helping the young people of Wirral gain access to new opportunities in a positive, supportive environment.”

Becoming a Founder Patron of The Hive is a chance for the local businesses and philanthropists to create a legacy for the future of Wirral. Their support and endorsement of the project will serve to encourage others to invest in the future of the city’s young people. For more information about how to get involved please contact: Francine Healey, OnSide Youth Zones on 01204 362128 or email francine.healey@onsideyouthzones.org

A decision on the Youth Zone’s planning application is expected in the summer of 2015.