Liverpool plans big

What is claimed to be the largest planning application in the UK has been submitted by Peel Land & Property for Liverpool Waters, a redevelopment of part of Liverpool Docks in the north west of England.

It will comprise over 1,3 million m² of mixed use floor space on 61 ha, with an investment of £5.5 billion (€ 6,3 billion).

Liverpool Waters proposes the regeneration of former and currently disused dockland in North Liverpool to create a city centre waterfront quarter. Its sister scheme, Wirral Waters - located on the other side of the River Mersey - received outline planning permission this summer. Combined, they are known locally as the Peel Waters project, and claim to be the largest and most ambitious regeneration project of its kind anywhere in the UK at over 2,8 million m², with an overall investment of £10 billion (€ 11,4 billion).

The scale of Wirral Waters has meant that the final decision to approve is for the Secretary of State, and a decision is being awaited as to whether he should agree with the recommendation of Wirral Council or subject it to a public inquiry.

Liverpool Waters will include offices, over 9000 new homes, a cultural building and a new cruise terminal, as well as supporting uses such as local shops and restaurants. The scheme will also include the 55-storey Shanghai Tower, which will be the tallest UK building outside London.

The scheme is the result of work over the last three years between Liverpool City Council, English Heritage (the UK government's statutory advisor on the historic environment), and the Commission for Architecture & the Built Environment (CABE) which advises the government on architecture, urban design and public space, plus the local community, and a range of partners and stakeholders.

As some of Liverpool Waters occupies Liverpool's World Heritage Site, Peel has been making sure that the historical features are conserved and restored, and that these parts of the site retain the essential elements of their original dockland landscape. An example of this was the reopening of the historic Stanley Dock Bascule Bridge and road in August. Peel spent several months restoring and repairing the bridge.