The decision by the secretary for Communities and Local Government Eric Pickles not to launch a public inquiry means Peel can now begin to fully market the scheme.

Peel aims to create a docklands business and residential district in Birkenhead over three decades to rival London’s Docklands, which is expected to provide over 4,000 construction jobs over the life of the entire scheme.

Peel is also planning a £5.5bn Liverpool Waters scheme on the opposite banks of the Mersey and has already spent a lot of time in China promoting both the Wirral and Liverpool Waters schemes to potential investors.

The Wirral Waters scheme includes plans for high rise-buildings, green spaces and 13,000 homes built on 1.7m sq m of land around the borough’s docklands.

Wirral Council Leader Cllr Jeff Green said: “It’s not everyday that a Leader of a Council is given the go-ahead to see 26,000 jobs created.

“I am delighted the Government has demonstrated its trust in allowing local people to make the decision and will not ‘call in’ the Wirral Waters plan for national review.”