Halton and Liverpool City Councils discuss future plans with Professional Liverpool’s Development and Regeneration Advisory Board
Professional Liverpool’s Development and Regeneration Advisory Board, consists of built environment professionals including architects, engineers, planners, lawyers, and constructors. They are committed to advancing development opportunities across Liverpool and the City Region. By collaborating closely with local stakeholders and councils, the board aims to facilitate impactful discussions on regional development issues.
In recent months, the Advisory Board have arranged roundtable discussions with leadership teams from the local authorities in the City Region. Led by co-chairs Ian Ford and Marc Nadim, these meetings provide a platform for each authority to present their unique regeneration plans, discuss critical challenges, and explore solutions to complex issues. For the advisory board, these discussions also serve as an opportunity to demonstrate Professional Liverpool’s expertise and commitment to supporting the growth of the City Region.
Through promoting public-private partnerships, the board underscores its role as an advocate and partner to local councils, helping them achieve their development goals. Session summaries with Liverpool City Council and Halton Borough Council are included below, with further updates on upcoming discussions with Knowsley and St Helens to be shared soon.
Liverpool City Council
Earlier this year, the D+R Advisory Board met with Nuala Gallagher, Corporate Director for City Development from Liverpool City Council. Nuala was invited by the board to promote and discuss future investment priorities and strategic initiatives for the city. Key topics included the council’s commitment to improvements through strategic recruitment and identifying high-impact investment opportunities to enhance Liverpool’s growth potential.
Nuala set out priority projects that the City were looking at including the transformation of the Festival Gardens Site into a vibrant residential and recreational area, the Pall Mall mixed-use development for much needed Grade A commercial offices, and the Liverpool Waters’ Central Docks investment with Peel and Homes England, a dynamic new waterfront district along the Mersey. Further discussions touched on the City’s ambitious Waterfront Strategy, which aims to enhance Liverpool’s iconic waterfront for ambitious design, further promoting tourism, culture and business.
The advisory board contributed insights from their experience with both Liverpool City Council and their own clients, emphasising the importance of a collaborative approach to attract investment and collectively promote Liverpool as a leading destination for culture, commerce, and innovation.
More can be found out about Liverpool’s Regeneration and Investment Proposition here
Halton Borough Council
Halton Council’s Wesley Rourke, Executive Director of Environment and Regeneration, and Andrew Plant, Head of Planning, recently outlined updates on eight priority regeneration areas, including West Runcorn Employment Growth Area, Halton Lea Healthy New Town, Astmoor Business Park, West Bank, Widnes Waterfront, Southern Widnes, 3MG Ditton Corridor, and Runcorn Old Town. These projects are part of Halton’s strategic vision for long-term economic growth and community development.
In the Q&A, Halton was described as a well-managed council serving 130,000 residents, with a stable, pro-business leadership focused on attracting investment and driving regeneration. Despite the budgetary challenges posed by social care services, Halton is actively seeking government funding and external investment to support its growth plans. The Mersey Gateway Bridge has been a success, improving connectivity and benefitting businesses, while the Freeport status offers strong branding potential. Halton’s future priorities include Mersey Park and Runcorn Station Quarter, with interest in exploring multi-generational housing developments, though these are still in early stages.
For further details, refer to the Mersey Gateway Regeneration Plan Plus here.
