Council is today advertising a contract to procure the services of planning experts to independently produce a Spatial Regeneration Framework for the Knowledge Quarter Gateway. Tony McDonough reports
A plan create a gateway between Liverpool city centre and the city’s £1bn Knowledge Quarter (KQ Liverpool) is taking a step forward with the council looking to commission a masterplan.
Last October the KQ Liverpool team unveiled a suggested new transport system and a new public square in front of the Adelphi Hotel that would link the city’s main retail district with the Knowledge Quarter.
The council is today advertising a contract to procure the services of experienced planning experts to independently produce a Spatial Regeneration Framework (SRF) for the Knowledge Quarter Gateway (KQG).
Development Zone
KQG, which includes Lime Street and Central train stations, is to many the first impression of the larger KQ Liverpool Mayoral Development Zone.
Key to the report will be dovetailing the proposals from Liverpool John Moores University on its Copperas Hill site, plans for the Fabric District, Merseytravel’s plans for Central Station and various private sector schemes.
Liverpool City Council has also set out an ambition to redevelop the Mount Pleasant Car Park area to create an international standard gateway for KQ Liverpool which currently employs 7% of the city’s workforce.
Wider regeneration
The gateway report will also complement the wider regeneration schemes on Lime Street, including the creation of new public realm of front of Lime Street station and an extended plateau in front of St George’s Hall.
The city council will seek to appoint the commissioning of the report on Wednesday, April 25. Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson, who will be opening the city’s first Regeneration Summit at Liverpool Town Hall on Thursday morning, said: “Liverpool’s Knowledge Quarter is redefining this city’s economy.
“What is most exciting is its fantastic potential for growth over the coming decade to become a world leading economic engine. The gateway area is the final piece in the jigsaw that will connect the site to the rest of the city centre and complete the wider regeneration of Lime Street.”
Final report
The council, which is currently developing the £1bn Paddington Village scheme within KQ Liverpool, aims to have the final SRF report on the gateway area, which covers more than 56 acres within the city centre, by spring 2019.
Colin Sinclair, chief executive of KQ Liverpool, added: “The phenomenal growth of KQ Liverpool, along with the ongoing regeneration of Lime Street, has shone the spotlight on KQ Gateway.
“It represents one of the greatest development opportunities in the UK and, along Paddington Village, will have a major impact on the city’s economy, creating thousands of jobs, in science, tech, health, education, retail and leisure.”