Major breakthrough in new neighbourhood development poised to be a 'game changer' for the city

Liverpool City Council has provided an update on its plans to transform the Festival Gardens site near Otterspool Prom in South Liverpool into a new housing development. Originally opened in 1984 for the UK's first garden festival, the site’s 27 acres were remediated last year to prepare for housing construction.

The site has long been designated for a major residential project and the creation of a new neighbourhood. The council has now begun the process of finding a development partner to bring this vision to life. The Festival Gardens area is divided into three zones: the 25-acre gardens, remnants of the 1984 festival; the 37-acre Southern Grasslands, re-landscaped and reopened as a public park in 2023; and the 27-acre development zone intended for new housing.

The council aims to make Festival Gardens one of Liverpool’s flagship residential areas. According to Invest Liverpool, the site offers "a rare blend of waterfront living, heritage, and modern design in a vibrant, well-connected community." The project is valued at around £200 million and will be a phased residential and community development, subject to planning approval.

Invest Liverpool further highlights that the Festival Gardens redevelopment will serve as a symbol of Liverpool's commitment to sustainable urban living, emphasizing design excellence, energy efficiency, and community integration. This transformation is expected to have a lasting impact on Liverpool’s housing landscape, contributing to the city's future growth.

In the development brief, council leader Cllr Liam Robinson described the site as one of the most exciting development opportunities in the UK, emphasising its potential to be a "game-changer" for Liverpool’s economy through the creation of new homes, jobs, and growth. He stated that the council is looking for a development partner who shares their vision to create a modern, 21st-century neighbourhood in South Liverpool.

Interested parties can submit a Selection Questionnaire (SQ) via the procurement portal using reference DN745634. The deadline for submissions is noon on November 4, 2024, with a preferred bidder to be selected by September 2025.