Mayoral Development Corporation to boost growth and development across the Liverpool City Region
Hill Dickinson Stadium (Image credit: Liverpool City Region Combined Authority)
Plans to establish a Mayoral Development Corporation in the Liverpool City Region have been unveiled in a bid to accelerate regeneration across the region. The first of its kind in the region, the proposed zone would focus on building on the momentum created by Everton Football Club's new Hill Dickinson Stadium at Liverpool Waters.
Mayor Steve Rotherham is to deploy devolved development powers to fast-track the delivery of thousands of new homes and major commercial developments, working in tandem with Liverpool City Council's Leader, Cllr Liam Robinson, in a new development zone.
It would encompass more than 400 acres of mainly brownfield land from the River Mersey to the city's Pumpfields and commercial business districts, while also bringing together a trio of major schemes.
The schemes include the Central Docks development, the £1bn revamp of the King Edward Triangle and Liverpool's first major grade A office scheme in a decade at Pall Mall.
The work of the MDC, which will take about 12 months to legally establish and could instigate other development zones, would also be a key component in accelerating the delivery of £11bn of planned infrastructure investment across the Liverpool City Region, supporting new jobs, better public transport and sustainable economic growth.
Secretary of State for housing, communities and local government, Steve Reed, said: "This government is pushing power and money out of Whitehall and across the country. I want to see mayors have more powers to create jobs, better connect communities and to get homes built. This is the kind of regional renewal that local people will really feel."
Mayor Steve Rotheram added: "Liverpool’s iconic waterfront is one of the greatest assets in the country – but for generations, huge parts of the North Docks have stood as a reminder of the jobs and opportunities we lost after decades of post-industrial decline. Local people have waited far too long to see this area brought back to life but, working in partnership with government, we’ve now got a once-in-a-generation chance to put that right.
"We only need to look at the transformation of the Albert Dock to see what can happen when we back a bold, long-term vision. With Everton’s new stadium rising on the Mersey and partners pulling in the same direction, the North Docks can follow that same journey – from derelict land to a place that local people are proud of and visitors want to be part of.
"By bringing our plans, powers and investment together through a new development corporation for the area, we can unlock one of the biggest brownfield sites in the country and turn it into thousands of good homes, decent jobs and a proper community where families can thrive."
Craig Scott, chief executive of Hill Dickinson, said he "strongly welcomes" the investment, adding: "Existing Mayoral Development Corporations have proven their ability to significantly enhance communities and generate momentum through external investment. With Liverpool’s waterfront being one of the North’s most significant assets, we look forward to the positive impact the model will deliver here."