Liverpool receives a boost for brownfield housing development
Central Docks Regeneration Project Set to Unlock £500m in Private Investment
Liverpool's Central Docks, the city's largest brownfield site and a key neighbourhood within Liverpool Waters, is set for a significant transformation. The regeneration project, centred around the Festival Gardens site, is projected to unlock more than £500 million in private investment.
The development, a joint venture between Liverpool City Council and development partners Urban Splash and igloo Regeneration, is poised to deliver a vibrant way of life with a strong community identity. The scheme will focus on multigenerational living, incorporating a range of housing types and tenures, with over 20% of the housing designated as affordable units.
The funding for this ambitious project comes from a £55 million investment uplift from Homes England, in the form of a Brownfield Infrastructure Land (BIL) grant, and an additional £31 million secured for the city in March. Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, emphasizes the importance of working hand in hand with government at various levels to drive growth locally.
The Central Docks area is owned by waterside regeneration specialists Peel Waters. The site was identified in the Liverpool Strategic Advisory Panel's final report as a site for potential development. The project is seen as a key scheme and a potential catalyst for growth in South Sefton and North Liverpool.
The development will not only create jobs but also support new community, retail, and leisure facilities. It is part of Liverpool’s wider dockside revival, signalling economic development and waterfront regeneration. The regeneration is expected to spur local economic growth by attracting new residents, increasing housing supply, and improving Liverpool’s waterfront, enhancing its appeal as a place to live and invest.
The draft housing strategy of the Liverpool City Council supports the delivery of 2,000 new homes every year to 2030 and aims to double the number of affordable properties across the city. The Council has made similar brownfield site commitments in its draft housing strategy.
The late Sir Howard Bernstein provided support and expertise to the Liverpool Strategic Advisory Panel's work. The Council is seeking permission to proceed with forming a new joint venture company at a meeting in September 2025 to finalize agreements and timelines.
Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, is excited about the impending delivery of the waterfront plan and housing strategy. He emphasizes that Britain is under new management and encourages everyone to work together to drive growth locally.
[1] Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (2022). Central Docks Regeneration. Retrieved from https://liverpoolcityregion-ca.gov.uk/news/central-docks-regeneration/
[2] Urban Splash (2022). Central Docks. Retrieved from https://urbansplash.co.uk/projects/central-docks/
[3] Liverpool Echo (2022). Central Docks regeneration: What we know so far. Retrieved from https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/central-docks-regeneration-what-we-19768008
[4] Homes England (2022). Brownfield Infrastructure Land Fund. Retrieved from https://www.gov.uk/guidance/brownfield-infrastructure-land-fund
[5] Liverpool City Council (2022). Central Docks Regeneration. Retrieved from https://www.liverpool.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/council-and-committees/committee-meetings/agenda-and-minutes/2025/09/01/planning-and-regeneration-committee/item/2/
- The Central Docks Regeneration Project, a joint venture between Liverpool City Council, Urban Splash, and igloo Regeneration, aims to unlock over £500 million in private investment, contributing significantly to Liverpool's housing market and real-estate development.
- The regeneration plan focuses on creating a vibrant community within the Central Docks neighborhood, offering multigenerational living options and over 20% affordable housing units, as part of the city council's goal to double the number of affordable properties.
- Funding for the project includes a £55 million investment uplift from Homes England and an additional £31 million secured earlier, underscoring the role of local government finance in large-scale regeneration projects.
- The Central Docks area's transformation, part of Liverpool’s wider dockside revival, is expected to attract new residents, increase housing supply, and improve the city's waterfront, boosting local economic growth and enhancing the appeal for both living and investing in the region.
