Blueprint Lauched for South Liverpool Growth

Date: 25 August 2011

• New 20-year strategy to drive forward regeneration of South Liverpool International Gateway
• SRF will help increase job opportunities, attract investment and drive regeneration
• Plans to maximise impact of airport, port, and automotive and science industries

The Green light is set to be given to an ambitious, 20-year plan to drive forward the economic regeneration of South Liverpool.

The city’s council’s cabinet will be asked to officially endorse the South Liverpool International Gateway Strategic Regeneration Framework (SRF) on Friday 26 August.

The plans aim to capitalise on the unique offer of the south of the city, increase job opportunities, attract investment and improve life for residents.

They also look at how the strengths of the area, including Liverpool John Lennon Airport, Port of Garston, Speke Automotive Freight Terminal and the pharmaceutical and biomedical industries can be built upon to help maximise the economic growth of the area.

The strategy aims to identify new development opportunities for the area in housing, leisure, office, nature, manufacturing, export and local enterprise.

And it will look at increasing employment opportunities, getting people into training and making the area a great place to visit, as well as live and work.

The strategy has been put together by a consultancy consortium led by Building Design Partnership (BDP) - and comprising Liverpool City Council, Liverpool Vision, North West Development Agency (NWDA) and Homes and Communities Agency (HCA). It focuses on the Speke Boulevard area, extending from the Mersey Wave to Garston Docks and includes the communities of Speke, Garston, Garston under Bridge and Hunts Cross.

The plans will form the blueprint for regeneration in these areas over the next 20 years.

Councillor Malcolm Kennedy, the city council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Transport, said: “This is a really important piece of work which will help define South Liverpool’s offer and provide the roadmap for the continued regeneration of the area.

“South Liverpool has undergone significant growth over the past 15 years, with a number of major schemes transforming the area, largely as a result of successful public private partnerships. This should be celebrated, but it’s vital we build on this to ensure the area continues to grow for the next 20 years.

“By bringing partners together with a shared vision, this strategy will significantly strengthen our ability to drive forward major projects, maximise the area’s strengths and attract vital investment.”

The South Liverpool SRF focuses on four key areas which have the potential to further propel the growth of the area:

• Visitor Economy – focusing on Liverpool John Lennon Airport, Mersey Gateway Bridge, Speke Hall and the areas green infrastructure.
• Knowledge Economy – looking at the bio-pharmaceutical sector, Estuary Commerce Park, Liverpool International Business Park and Venture Point.
• Liverpool SuperPort – focusing on Port of Garston and Freightliner, Liverpool John Lennon Airport and the Atlantic Gateway concept.
• Low carbon economy – looking at the role Port of Garston, Freightliner, Triumph Trading Park and others can play in fostering low carbon and renewable energy sources and methods.

The city council’s Director for Regeneration and Employment, Nick Kavanagh said: “We want South Liverpool International Gateway to play a pivotal role in the on-going economic development of Liverpool. To achieve this, it’s vital that we work together to maximise the area’s assets, attract investment and improve the lives of local people.

“The SRF will help provide the stimulus for action in this area over the next two decades, helping us drive forward major economic and residential development and delivering the environment and infrastructure that helps businesses and communities reach their full potential.”

Max Steinberg, chief executive of Liverpool Vision, said: “There has been considerable improvement in the quality of the business environment and levels of investment in South Liverpool, over the last two decades.

“The Framework provides a refreshed basis for partners to maintain the momentum of investment in the area, while complementing the Development Framework for the north of the city.

“The document also serves to communicate our aspirations for the area and will help investors, developers, service providers, stakeholders and the area’s communities to maximise the opportunities the gateway offers.”

The strategy has been subject to extensive consultation with land owners, businesses and residents in the area to help inform how the Gateway should develop over the next 20 years.

If the strategy is given the go ahead, a project board will be created, made up of a range of public and private sector partners. They will be tasked with pulling together a more detailed SRF delivery plan, working with the private sector and lobbying Government. They will report annually to the city council Cabinet on the progress of the plans.

The launch of the strategy for South Liverpool follows the launch, in June, of the 20-year North Liverpool and South Sefton Strategic Regeneration Framework (SRF), which aims to breathe new life into North Liverpool and South Sefton.

For more information, please contact Damian Richards-Clarke, Communications Officer, on 0151 225 2464 or 07736 216434.

‹ Back