Partners push forward Paddington South plans
Liverpool City Council and the University of Liverpool have launched a consultation ahead of development, with R&D facilities, green space and re-establishing Crown Street as a main connection front of mind.
The plans are led by a major new chemical sciences building for the university, and an AI materials innovation hub, along with two commercial buildings.
Around 538,000 sq ft is mapped out for development, with a large-scale future development plot to the north joined by a potential pavilion building.
Subject to planning, the hope is to be on site with phase one towards the end of 2027, with the £111m chemical sciences building opening in 2031.
Ellis Williams Architects has been working on the masterplan with LCC and the university, while Morgan Sindall was appointed in 2024 to undertake masterplanning and enabling works in preparation for future development.
All land concerned is owned by the two parties. Development is focused on the broadly triangular site bounded by Grove Street, Smithdown Lane and Oxford Road, with Crown Street to the bottom.
Beyond the initial four buildings, future development could see the large plot to the north brought forward, and the university’s existing chemistry facilities along Grove Street revamped.
Commercial space alongside academic is the intention. Credit: LCC
LCC said that the project will accelerate Liverpool’s life science and innovation sectors, “centred around a vibrant new neighbourhood with better connectivity and retaining and improving the green space for local community use”.
Paddington South represents phase two of Knowledge Quarter Liverpool’s 30-acre Paddington Village. A landmark was passed last summer, when Morgan Sindall completed the demolition of the former Smithdown Lane police station.
The masterplan outlines a series of proposed development plots, including R&D, labs and workshop space.
As part of this vision, the aim is to:
- Deliver world-leading research and development facilities in science innovation
- Create thousands of jobs, supporting Liverpool’s long-term growth ambitions
- Provide multi-functional green spaces that bring all community members together
- Improve biodiversity by 10%, contributing to the city’s wider green objectives
- Integrate safe and accessible active travel routes within a growing cycle network
- Re-establish Crown Street as a key connection into and through the area
The masterplan aims to retain and enhance green space, establish stronger pedestrian and cycling links, and deliver new high-quality buildings alongside a redesigned, greener Grove Street corridor.
Consultation starts today and will run until Sunday 19 April.
Cllr Nick Small, LCC cabinet member for growth and economy, said: “Paddington South is a once in a generation opportunity to transform a key part of the city’s Knowledge Quarter, creating jobs, supporting innovation and delivering exceptional public spaces.
“These are ambitious plans which will help cement Liverpool’s Knowledge Quarter as one of the leading areas of innovation in Europe.
“We encourage everyone to take part in the consultation and help shape the masterplan before plans progress further.”
Professor Richard Black, provost and deputy vice-chancellor at the University of Liverpool, said: “Paddington South is a really exciting opportunity to transform a former brownfield site into a vibrant research and innovation cluster, creating jobs and boosting the regional economy.
“At the heart of these plans is a new £111m University of Liverpool facility for chemical sciences, which will house a new AI Materials Hub for Innovation (AIM-HI).
“AIM-HI will position the Liverpool City Region and the UK as a global leader in AI-driven materials research, development, and innovation – and will play an important part in the government’s Industrial Strategy and the City Region Combined Authority’s growth plan.”
You just know it will never happen. Why does everything take years to progress in Liverpool rather than months if consultations was an Olympic sport then Liverpool wins gold.
By Leonard
Sounds promising and with an intent to be on site by late 2027, making good use of idle land while maintaining lots of green space. This will expand the University even further out , therefore we live in hope that public transport improvements occur such as a tram network or new stations in the Edge Hill tunnels, we need some vision and big ideas here.
By Anonymous
Appreciate this is not exactly big picture thinking, but it would be great to see the Oxford pub – the only building currently on this site – re-open.
By Anonymous
Odd placement of buildings? Unless there are underground tunnels, I’m not sure why the masterplan doesn’t reinforce the main route and provide quieter public space? Oddly unambitious although I suppose Liverpool should be grateful for anything happening at the moment.
By Mike
The end of 2027? Why is everything slow in Liverpool
By Anonymous
Another consultation from LCC. We’ve had two on Hemisphere so far and no start date just several years of delays. The last development in Paddington Village was completed three years ago and that was a car park. As for this latest project, no word of where the funding is coming from I wouldn’t get too excited.
By Anon
Promising plans but I’d like to see some progress on the stalled Hemisphere 1&2 plans on the adjacent Paddington Village site behind I get excited about this.
By Gary
Who can take this seriously when they can’t even get hemisphere built after 5 years?
By Anonymous