An ambitious multi-billion scheme to regenerate 60 hectares of dockland in Liverpool has been approved by the city council’s planning committee, subject to a legal agreement.
The outline application from Peel Holdings has been referred to the Government.
Council leader Joe Anderson said: ‘The scale of what is being proposed is breathtaking – it represents a five and half billon pound investment to create thousands of jobs, provide new housing and attract new businesses and more visitors to the city. It is a scheme which is unprecedented in its ambition, scope and potential to regenerate a city.’
He insisted that the conditions required by the planning authority would safeguard the city’s World Heritage Site status.
The council leader said: ‘Everybody – including the committee – is well aware of the concerns about heritage, but we can have the strikingly modern, while retaining our world heritage status. I have never regarded this as being ‘either, or’. With the safeguards the planning committee has insisted on, we can have Liverpool Waters living comfortably alongside the World Heritage Site.’
The project involves a comprehensive redevelopment of up to 60 hectares of dockland over a 30-year period. It includes creating more than 9,000 homes, 3m sq ft of commercial development, a cruise liner terminal, hotels, shops, restaurants and leisure facilities.
In a separate but related development, Peel Ports has announced plans for a new £300m container terminal at Seaforth, on Merseyside to be called Liverpool 2. It is due to open in 2015.
The project is dependent on a £35m Government grant to dredge the Mersey to accommodate the large ships.
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