Liverpool launches Paddington consultation
Public consultation has today begun on the £1bn Paddington Village masterplan, the flagship development within Liverpool’s Knowledge Quarter.
A draft spatial regeneration framework has been created and approved by the council as Liverpool “seeks to establish a globally attractive, investment-ready business environment and high quality residential neighbourhood close to the city centre”.
The SRF is open to scrutiny from today until 23 December, with a public exhibition being held at Kensington Fields Community Centre on Tuesday 22 November.
Paddington Village comprises three zones within a 30-acre site. The first phase, the 11-acre Paddington Central, sits at the scheme’s heart and will feature tall buildings, intended to complement the neighbouring university.
Occupiers have already been secured for this element in the form of the Royal College of Physicians, for a northern centre of excellence, and Liverpool International College, which will build a 45,000 sq ft “live-learn” facility.
The second phase, Paddington South, will feature medium-to-high density development and will be largely residential and education-focused, with green space. Phase three, Paddington North, will be predominantly residential, fronting Kensington Fields.
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Such a shame that all those decent houses were demolished off Wavertree Road and the heart has been ripped out with the ‘Lovell Homes’ it used to be a decent shopping area for local shops. Hindsight is a wonderful thing I suppose.
By Lizzy Baggot
It was decent in the 1950’s and 1960’s, I remember it well, it was starting to decline when Freemans and Woolworths closed, we were moved out in 1969, the area then, on our side of Wavo Rd was decimated along with our old school and even the “Tunnie”, I think the new homes are not too bad, that is what you will get there at present. If the KQ, succeeds and I am sure it wiil, I expect to see good quality Apartments springing up in the area, maybe on the site of the old Freemans and Capitol picture house.
By Man on bicycle
I do hope so Man on a Bicycle. Yes I was chatting to some of the people up there last year. Sad to see the Kay Nelson shop go last year – I used to ride past that on the bus to school it has been there ‘forever’. And the alterations shop. But unfortunate that some of the locals have been given less for their property than it is to buy a new home in the area. And the terraces were great houses.
By Lizzy Baggot
Yes Lizzy, many happy memories of Edge Hill and the streets there, happy to see the regeneration of the place, great memories of the old wash house just by Grove street.
The KQ, will be a real tonic for the whole LCR.
By Man on bicycle
It does Liverpool no harm to get new homes like those in the heart of the city around Gladstone Street etc; they’re a lot better than the 80s 90s and 00s developments, and the city needs a greater variety of housing stock in the inner areas. Yes, Man’s right the apartments will come as Paddington gets going.. I remember the little streets too, Plimsoll Street and the little pub at the back, a strong community there, but if the city’s spreading up the hill change is good, and many of the people from Edge Hill and Kensington will get jobs there.
By Alfie
Hope so Alfie – I wasn’t around to see all the times mentioned but saw the terraces and know people who lived in them. And thought they were excellent houses – better than the new ones but appreciate that’s subjective. Even going to school on the bus in the 90s Wavertree Rd had lots of little independent shops. Feel that the L7 regeneration signs were up for a while and remember someone putting a ‘what’ in front of them. So hope the area gets the boost.
By Lizzy Baggot
I am writing on behalf of the Friends of Williamson’s Tunnels (FOWT) to comment on the draft proposals for the development of the land in the designated Knowledge Quarter of the City.
The members and trustees, most of whom are born and bred in the city, applaud the strategic thinking that has gone into what we hope will return our city to its rightful place as a world class investment environment for knowledge based business.
In developing the principles and key parameters that will make this happen we believe it would be unwise to achieve this objective at the expense of the cities heritage. Although Liverpool is still rich in its gems of the past much has been lost to the developers and the FOWT are hoping this will not be repeated around the Edge Hill District where there are underground treasures yet to be uncovered.
It is for this reason that I am writing to make you aware that beneath the ground around the Mason Street and Paddington areas lay a labyrinth of tunnels built by Joseph Williamson a rich tobacco merchant and philanthropist. When soldiers returned from the Napoleonic war he found jobs for them at a time when unemployment was rife. They were instructed to build tunnels first in one direction then in another to a plan that was in the mind of Williamson but never shared with anyone. The aim of the FOWT is to excavate and develop the tunnels in an attempt to resolve this mystery for the benefit of the residence of the city and visitors alike.
When considering your development plans I am aware they may have an impact on the tunnel complex and our heritage unless protected could be lost forever. As a consequence we would not wish to hinder progress but would like to see any development proposals integrating the tunnels in a way that will secure both of our objectives.
Your serious consideration of our request would be appreciated.
By Friends of Williamson's Tunnels (FOWT)