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Liverpool City Council has taken a significant step forward in revitalizing the historic Festival Gardens site on the city’s south waterfront by approving the legal agreements required to progress a major regeneration project. This ambitious scheme, developed in partnership with Urban Splash Development and igloo, aims to create a new residential neighbourhood comprising around 800 homes. With construction planned to commence in phases over the coming years, this redevelopment promises to be one of Liverpool’s largest housing-led regeneration initiatives.
Following a competitive selection process, Urban Splash and igloo were appointed as the preferred development partners for transforming the long-standing Festival Gardens site. The area, once hindered by environmental and contamination issues, has recently undergone extensive remediation and enabling works funded by Homes England, the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, and Liverpool City Council. This preparation has effectively cleared the way for construction to proceed.
The planned neighbourhood will feature a diverse mix of market and affordable housing, designed to foster a sustainable, inclusive community with a distinct identity. The initial phase is expected to deliver up to 441 homes, addressing local housing demand while setting the foundation for further development. The partners have also committed to ambitious environmental goals, including biodiversity net gain and low-carbon construction, and have been collaborating with organizations like Natural England, Mersey Forest, and United Utilities to ensure these targets are met.
Drawing inspiration from the legacy of the 1984 International Garden Festival, the new development will integrate generous green spaces and close connections to the waterfront. It will offer a variety of housing options catering to all ages and lifestyles, such as affordable housing, shared ownership, rental properties, co-housing, and later living arrangements. Existing residents stand to benefit from enhanced connectivity between the St Michaels area and the waterfront, alongside improved local amenities. The development will be carried out by Urban Splash, igloo, and a team of design-focused partners, employing igloo’s Footprint® methodology to address local needs thoughtfully and sustainably.
Councillor Nick Small, Cabinet Member for Economy and Growth at Liverpool City Council, highlighted the importance of the project by stating, “Festival Gardens is one of Liverpool’s most iconic regeneration opportunities, and this decision represents another major step towards bringing the site back into use.” Similarly, Duncan Inglis, Regional Director for the North West at Homes England, emphasized the collaborative nature of the project, noting, “The Festival Gardens site is a prime example” of overcoming challenges to unlock development potential.
Representatives from the development partners expressed optimism about the project’s future impact. Joe Broadley, Development Director at igloo, remarked, “This iconic waterfront site will be a major catalyst for the growth of the city region,” while Jonathan Falkingham MBE, Co-Founder of Urban Splash, described the initiative as “a major new development that will not only create a vibrant, inclusive neighbourhood but also provide local employment opportunities.” Festival Gardens Ward Councillor Peter Norris underlined the project’s community aspect, stressing the need for infrastructure and connectivity improvements alongside new homes and amenities, and expressed his commitment to ensuring local residents remain involved in shaping the site’s future
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