A new immersive virtual reality experience plunges visitors into the future and see what New Brighton and Seacombe could be like for years to come.
Over two days in the Floral Pavilion on Friday and Saturday 14th and 15th October, visitors to the exhibition will be able to use the latest technology to take a look at a possible future for the city and get a feel for how New Brighton is developing and Seacombe could transform the next decade.
These unique public consultation events will use virtual reality (VR) to allow attendees to experience how the cities could develop with the help of bespoke 3D models – and based on ideas from local young people.
The VR experiences follow a series of events being held with local schools to give younger people ideas about the future of New Brighton and Seacombe. These ideas were then incorporated into a 3D model to become part of the experience at the Flower Pavilion events.
The aim is to stimulate ideas and suggestions on how to redevelop New Brighton and Seacombe and make the most of their potential. It is part of a wider consultation on the future of New Brighton and Seacombe and what those who live, work and visit there would like to see in the years to come.
Reality pop-ups, created by 3D model and VR experience experts Digital Urban, will allow event attendees to take a virtual reality tour of New Brighton Street in an open-top bus led by a live tour guide. take a promenade. They’ll also see what the future Seacombe might look like as they cruise along the coast in a virtual reality pedal boat.
This is an opportunity to come by and try a virtual reality experience for free while still being able to experience and then use the advice to say how the spaces could be transformed in the future.
Business, Regeneration and Housing Committee Chair Cllr Tony Jones said:
“This is a unique and incredibly exciting opportunity to use the latest technology to see what our cities could look like, based on the ideas of those who grow up in them.
“Those who come to these events have an opportunity to move around the area, immerse themselves in it and get a sense of what it could be like. I urge everyone, whether you live, visit or work in New Brighton or Seacombe to take this chance to glimpse into the possible future and let us know what you think, what you like and what you see want.”
New Brighton and Seacombe are part of a wider transformation program of regeneration along the ‘Left Bank’ of the River Mersey, with a particular focus on the creation of a sustainable waterfront urban garden community in Birkenhead and parts of Seacombe, underpinned by the Birkenhead 2040 framework and local plan .
New Brighton and Seacombe were identified in the draft local plan as priority areas for regeneration due to their potential as a high quality visitor destination and opportunities to create sustainable neighborhoods for existing and new residents. The proposed local plan would help create the new housing needed for the district while protecting valuable designated green space.
BDP, with the support of AspinallVerdi and Curtins, has been commissioned to work with local stakeholders to create a Neighborhood Framework for New Brighton to provide an ambitious vision to drive and guide New Brighton’s sustainable economic growth and regeneration over the next 15 years.
For Seacombe, the Council has appointed HLP Architects and is working with the Magenta Living Housing Association to develop a clear framework to improve the living conditions, health outcomes and employment prospects for residents in the area.
Street art in New Brighton
The interactive events will take place in the Floral Pavilion in New Brighton on:
- Friday, October 14, 1:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m
- Saturday, October 15, 1pm-7pm
Numbers are limited so booking via the link below is recommended to guarantee a spot, although visitors will be accommodated where possible. Book a slot through Eventbrite for a slot for the virtual reality experience.
Find out more about advice for New Brighton here.
And for advice on Seacombe here.
The consultation surveys can be completed from Friday 14th October and will last until 25th November.
