The creation of a new district featuring over 2,000 homes along Liverpool's waterfront has made substantial progress.
Peel Waters has selected construction firm GRAHAM as the principal contractor for infrastructure development at Central Docks - Liverpool's largest brownfield location and the largest among five proposed communities within Peel's Liverpool Waters regeneration project.
Characterised as an "ambitious 30-year vision to completely transform the city's northern docks", the £5bn Liverpool Waters initiative is being led by property developer Peel and extends 2.3km along the River Mersey's banks to Everton's new stadium site.
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The scheme comprises five districts: Central Docks, Clarence Docks, King Edward Triangle, Princes Dock and Northern Docks.
Within Central Docks, recent activity has included the completion of multiple residential projects, ground surveys and finalisation of designs for infrastructure and the 2.1-hectare public Central Park, which will serve as the new community's centrepiece, reports .
GRAHAM will now assume the main contractor position and will oversee infrastructure completion to facilitate the construction of approximately 2,350 new residences, aligned with Peel Waters' masterplan for the location.
This infrastructure encompasses underground services, roadways and public spaces at Central Docks, which Peel states will be essential for delivering the residential units planned for the neighbourhood. The works also involve the construction of the 2.1-hectare Central Park that sits at the centre of Peel Waters' plans for Central Docks.
Hundreds of new trees will be planted within the park, as well as new sports, recreational, and play facilities for residents and visitors, as well as spaces to relax.
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The park will become one of the city's largest green spaces and the focal point of the 10.5-hectares Central Docks neighbourhood.
In April, the ECHO reported that the aim is for construction to be finished by the end of 2027. A planning document outlined the project timeline, stating: "All infrastructure and parks are planned to be completed by December 2027, subject to GRAHAM and Peel agreeing T&Cs, and obtaining final grant approval. Following this, Central Docks neighbourhood will be made publicly available."
The 2,350 planned new dwellings at Central Docks will surround the park and will offer mixed tenure options, including affordable housing, build-to-rent, build-to-sell and elderly-living accommodation. Peel Waters confirmed it is currently in advanced negotiations with multiple partners to develop plots within the mixed tenure neighbourhood, whilst actively seeking additional partners for remaining development sites.
The £71m contract secured by GRAHAM accounts for the majority of the £81.1m total project expenditure. The funding package comprises £25.9m direct investment from Peel Waters, combined with a £55.2m contribution from Homes England.
In her inaugural speech following her appointment last July, Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced Liverpool Central Docks as a New Homes Accelerator site and pledged funding for its regeneration. The funding received final approval from HM Treasury in the subsequent autumn budget.
Liverpool City Council's cabinet agreed to accept the £55.2m Brownfield Infrastructure Land grant funding from Homes England last year and will serve as the accountable body on behalf of Peel Waters.
James Whittaker, managing director of Peel Waters, said: "The appointment of GRAHAM is a major step forward in turning our vision for Central Docks at Liverpool Waters into more of a reality as it means we are gearing up to breaking ground to provide much needed infrastructure to enable more development plots and housing to come forward.
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"Peel Waters have worked with the contractor on several award-winning projects across our portfolio including Millers Quay across the Mersey at Wirral Waters and it is clear from the design process, that all parties share our long-term vision to transform this former industrial land into a spectacular, waterfront neighbourhood and destination."
Alastair Lewis, contracts director at GRAHAM, said: "We're delighted to be appointed as principal contractor on this landmark scheme for Peel Waters - reflecting our shared commitment to creating infrastructure and neighbourhoods that prioritise sustainability and community.
"This project will play a pivotal role in further regeneration of the docklands area, and we look forward to working with Peel Waters to transform this site into an iconic world heritage waterfront."
Liverpool City Council leader, Councillor Liam Robinson, said: "This appointment is a major milestone as it sets in motion a multi-million investment drive in one of the most important brownfield developments sites in England.
"The Central Docks site at Liverpool Waters has massive potential to deliver a housing scheme of significance and show the country how transformational brownfield regeneration can and should be done.
"It will also act as a catalyst for our wider plans for north Liverpool, which will greatly help stimulate the housing sector in our city region."