A massive plan for 500 homes on the former Birkenhead docklands has been given a big boost.

The scheme is part of Wirral Waters, a project led by Peel L&P which is set to see up to 13,000 houses built over the next 25 years.

The firm has appointed the construction company Graham to deliver the housing project, currently known as Wirral Waters One.

This means work on the homes can now begin this spring on what is set to be the biggest single development at Wirral Waters to date.

Wirral Waters One will be made up of one-bedroom and two-bedroom waterfront apartments, including 100 affordable new homes.

Rent on the affordable units will be capped at a maximum of 80% of open market value.

The project has been designed to be sustainable, with low carbon technologies used to reduce emissions, and parks, dockside walkways and cycle routes changing the look of the waterfront.

Access to cycling storage and electric vehicle charging points will also be provided for residents.

It is hoped that this development will be the catalyst for other Wirral Waters' projects, including Belong Village, a dementia care facility, where work is also due to begin this spring.

Richard Mawdsley, director of development for Wirral Waters at Peel L&P, said: "Our appointment of Graham is a major step forward to seeing more cranes and delivery activity at Wirral Waters. Graham is a leading construction business with excellent social value credentials.

"Working together, Peel L&P and Graham will also ensure that we bring more fantastic opportunities for the construction students at Wirral Met College throughout the [two-and-a-half year] build period of this game changing project."

Cllr Tony Jones, chair of Wirral Council's Economy, Regeneration and Development Committee, said: "Wirral has considerable ambitions for regeneration across the whole Left Bank area from Bromborough, through Birkenhead and Wallasey into New Brighton. We are already seeing work getting underway and change being delivered, including major inward investment to Wirral."

The Labour councillor added: "The appointment of construction company Graham at Wirral Waters is a crucial next step in the delivery of new homes, including a substantial number of affordable homes, at one of the most significant sites and helping meet our housing needs.

"Wirral Council has worked closely for many years with Peel L&P and partners to bring about sustainable development in the dockland area and it is great to see this going ahead and the commitment to local labour and supply chains to ensure local people are benefiting from this from the outset."