Gubay and council finally bridge Edge Lane impasse

Years of negotiations between Albert Gubay's Derwent Holdings and Liverpool City Council over the future of Edge Lane Retail Park appear to have reached a positive outcome with planning consent for redevelopment of the gateway site.

Work on site will start 'as soon as possible' after AEW Architects secured planning permission on Derwent's behalf for 890,000 sq ft of commercial and retail space. The designs were also approved by CABE.

The scheme includes:

  • 47 retail units, four restaurants and three leisure units
  • 1,680 parking spaces, plus cycle spaces
  • Extensive investment in public realm and public art
  • £1.25m contribution towards off-site public realm

Steve Burne, AEW's managing director, said: "We are absolutely delighted to have received this decision after years of hard work from the team. This is a very significant project for the region at a time of continuing uncertainty and we are looking forward to delivering the first phase as soon as possible."

Talks about the scale and configuration of the retail park, on an important route into the city centre from the M62, have been going on between the council and Gubay for over a decade. At one stage Liverpool City Council took legal action to ensure derelict parts of the Derwent site were tidied up.

AEW worked alongside KFM as quantity surveyors and project managers and DPP as planning consultants.

John Francis, partner in DPP's Manchester office, said: "DPP has managed pre-application negotiations and multiple large and complex planning applications to take forward these long-held aspirations. We are grateful to the Council for dealing with these applications so efficiently, and this has been achieved through the work and co-ordination of a talented and diverse project team. Consultation with key stakeholders has been important, and subject to the confirmation of Government Office, it is hoped that work can begin on the site in early 2011."

Gubay's fortune came from Kwik Save and Total Fitness.

This scheme is jointly let by Taylor & Co, and Colliers International.

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Is this designed for Australia? In Northern Hemisphere regions like Liverpool Shadows usually project Northwards. Poor Rendering. I’ve failed first year students for less. Let’s hope more attention to detail is put into the completion of this project.

By andysuth

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