Homes England, in partnership with Peel Waters and Liverpool City Council, has marked the official groundbreaking of Central Docks, Liverpool Waters.
The event, titled "From Foundations to Futures", celebrated the beginning of the £71million infrastructure works that will pave the way for a vibrant new waterfront community. Civic leaders, project partners, and over 100 students attended the event held on site, highlighting the project's commitment to nurturing local talent and creating pathways into construction and regeneration careers.
Spanning 26 acres, Central Docks is the largest of five neighbourhoods within the wider Liverpool Waters district. It will deliver around 2,350 new homes, including affordable and build-to-rent housing, supporting the government's ambition to build 1.5 million new homes across the country in the next five years.
Peel Waters has appointed leading contractor GRAHAM to deliver the infrastructure works and construction of Central Park. The £71 million contract forms the largest portion of the £81 million total project cost, backed by £55 million from Homes England and £26 million from Peel Waters. Liverpool City Council will act as the accountable body for the grant funding.
The focal point of the new neighbourhood will be Central Park, a five-acre green space featuring hundreds of new trees, play areas, sports and recreational facilities, and enhanced walking and cycling routes.
Amy Rees CB, Chief Executive of Homes England, said:
As the government's housing and regeneration agency, we are committed to supporting partners, in the public and private sector, to unlock strategic housing sites where brownfield, infrastructure, or land projects face delivery challenges.
This groundbreaking event marks a significant milestone in the transformation of Central Docks Liverpool Waters, laying the foundations for a vibrant, inclusive new community that will attract substantial private investment.
The progress achieved at Central Docks so far is a prime example of how we work collaboratively with partners to achieve our mission of creating thriving places people can be proud to call home.
James Whittaker, Managing Director of Peel Waters said:
The groundbreaking of Central Docks marks a pivotal moment not just for Liverpool Waters, but for the future of this iconic waterfront. This milestone is the result of years of collaboration with our partners across the public and private sectors, and it reflects our shared commitment to unlocking the full potential of these historic docklands.
From the foundations we lay today, we're building futures - for residents, businesses, and the next generation of skilled workers, driving forward regeneration on a scale that will benefit generations to come.
Stephen Hill, Managing Director, GRAHAM Civil Engineering, said:
We're delighted to be appointed as principal contractor on this landmark scheme for Peel Waters, reflecting our shared commitment to creating infrastructure and neighbourhoods that prioritise sustainability and community. This project will play a pivotal role in further regeneration of the docklands area, and we look forward to working with Peel Waters to transform this site into an iconic waterfront.
Cllr Liam Robinson, Leader of Liverpool City Council, said:
The Central Docks development is an incredibly exciting step forward in our ambition to transform Liverpool's northern docklands into a thriving, inclusive and sustainable waterfront community.
Central Docks will not only deliver thousands of much-needed homes, but also unlock new opportunities for employment, education and wellbeing through its green spaces and public realm.
And dovetailing with our new town project, Liverpool North, means that the benefits will be felt throughout the city.
Liverpool City Council is proud to be working in partnership with Peel Waters and Homes England to ensure this regeneration delivers lasting benefits for our residents and future generations.
By acting as the accountable body for the Homes England funding, we are helping to accelerate delivery and ensure that this landmark development is rooted in the needs and aspirations of our city.
The Central Docks neighbourhood is a key part of the wider Liverpool Waters masterplan, which spans 60 hectares and aims to reconnect the city with its historic waterfront, creating a world-class destination for living, working, and leisure.
Work on the Central Docks Infrastructure works and Central Park is expected to complete by late spring 2028.
About Homes England
We are the government's housing and regeneration Agency, and we're here to drive the creation of more affordable, quality homes and thriving places so that everyone has a place to live and grow.
We make this happen by working in partnership with thousands of organisations of all sizes, using our powers, expertise, land, capital and influence to bring investment to communities and get more quality homes built.
Learn more about us: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/homes-england/about
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