Developer Romal Capital is submitting plans for a new £100m neighbourhood with apartments and shops in Liverpool’s northern docklands. Tony McDonough reports
Developer Romal Capital has unveiled a £100m plan for a new scheme at Liverpool Waters including homes, retail and infrastructure investment.
Romal, led by Australian property developer Greg Malouf and Sam Rowlands, has already delivered the Quay Central and Park Central residential schemes at the waterfront site. It is now proposing to create a new waterfront neighbourhood.
On Thursday it submitted a planning application to Liverpool City Council for the project which will transform a derelict site in Central Docks and build 330 ‘smart homes’, retail space and amenities, as well as significant investment in the surrounding infrastructure.
They say it will provide a “crucial link” in the development of the riverside from Princes Dock, to the proposed site of the new Everton FC stadium within Peel L&P’s £5bn Liverpool Waters scheme.
The proposals include a mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments. To reduce net emissions each new smart home will include power usage monitoring and solar panels will be fitted to all common areas. There is also investment to encourage the use of electric cars, with 20 EV charging stations proposed.
Plans are underway for selected occupiers such as hairdresser, beauty salon, delicatessens with alfresco dining, bike rental stores and other resident-friendly retail outlets. The proposals also include investment into public realm.
New public spaces will include a new active waterfront, marina and floating dock, a suspended six-metre wide cathedral-style bridge for pedestrian and bike access, roof top gardens as well as space for alfresco dining.
The proposals are adjacent to plans for a new cultural square that will be used for public events and activities including music and entertainment. These new public spaces will be available for use by new residents, the existing community, business users and visitors alike.
It is close to the new Isle of Man Ferry terminal – currently under construction – and located on the recently completed Jesse Hartley Way boulevard that links the new ferry terminal to the city centre.
Also included are new riverside walkways and a suspended bridge to enable complete access for pedestrians and cyclists along Liverpool’s entire historic waterfront. Greg Malouf, co-founder of Romal Capital, said: “We are very excited about this scheme and it’s potential to transform this barren brownfield land into a thriving new waterfront neighbourhood.
“The combination of new smart homes, carefully selected retail and leisure, and huge investment in new public realm, will deliver not only a high-quality lifestyle for its residents, but also ensures much needed world class connectivity.
“Over the last few years, we have engaged with, and listened to, a range of stakeholders and in response we have made adjustments to our proposals. The heights of some buildings have been reduced.
“The make up of residential units is more diverse to attract more families to the area, and designs have been revised to better reflect the area’s long maritime history and historic appeal.”
Darran Lawless, director of development for Peel L&P’s Liverpool Waters, added: “This development, being brought forward by Romal Capital, will provide much needed high quality new homes on this brownfield site and create a fantastic new neighbourhood within Central Docks.
“It will also provide critical links between neighbouring developments, including the Isle of Man Ferry Terminal, and key sections of the waterfront. With the proposed investment in new public realm, we can improve access for all and bring life back to this historic waterfront.”