Tide turns for city in bid to host the world's biggest aquarium?

THE world's largest aquarium could make a shock comeback to Liverpool - 18 months after it was lost to the south east.

City officials have reopened talks with Nirah, the organisation planning to build a £375m sanctuary for endangered freshwater species.

Early last year, Nirah (The National Institute for Research into Aquatic Habitats) chose a Bedfordshire clay pit ahead of Central Docks as the proposed site for the Eden Project-style tourist attraction.

Nirah had approached Liverpool first but was told by then chief executive Sir David Henshaw that there was no room in the city and to go to Wirral instead.

http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/0100regionalnews/tm_objectid=17571003%26method=full%26siteid=50061% 26headline=tide%2dturns%2dfor%2dcity%2din%2dbid%2d to%2dhost%2dthe%2dworld%2ds%2dbiggest%2daquarium-name_page.html

Bedfordshire was eventually chosen because of its proximity to London and three universities
Maybe they will now choose Merseyside because of its proximity to Liverpool and three universisties (Liverpool Hope University (http://www.hope.ac.uk/), Liverpool John Moores University (http://www.ljmu.ac.uk/), and The University of Liverpool (http://www.liv.ac.uk/) - all of whom engage in teaching, research, and consultancy in the biological and environmental subject areas).

"Founding scientists
Nirah’s founding scientists include:

Prof. William Keevil (Southampton University)
Prof. Chris Shaw (Queen’s University, Belfast)
Prof. David Theakston (Liverpool University)
Prof. David Warrell (Oxford University)"

Liverpool moves in for Nirah project

http://www.mk-news.co.uk/resources/images/autonumbered/3/0/9/3096f396-506b-43b7-8bfd-6c090800d843.jpg

Bedfordshire may lose the Nirah project to Liverpool.

Bedfordshire on Sunday can reveal that secret talks have been held between the board of the proposed freshwater science park and Liverpool Land Development Company (http://www.liverpooldev.co.uk/).

This is because Nirah is frustrated by the lack of progress for the project and what it sees as obstruction by Bedfordshire County Council.

More (http://www.mk-news.co.uk/news/bedford/2006/aug/6/liverpool%20moves%20in%20for%20nirah%20project.lpf )...

Liverpool was always their first choice until David Henshaw stuck his oar in and said we didn't want it then they reluctently chose Bedfordshire,they wanted it here because of the School of Tropical Medicine but one mans ego foolishly turned away almost £400 million worth of investment for no apparent reason.Luckily for us he's gone now and we if can land this it would be the coup of the century for Liverpool,I just hope and pray it happens now.

sounds like it could bring a lot of tourism. Just hope the yobs can be controled to encourage tourism.

sounds like it could bring a lot of tourism. Just hope the yobs can be controled to encourage tourism.

They wont be a problem they probably wouldn't be able to afford the price to get in.

This looks pretty good to me, what happened to the other bid...?

Lemmo...

This looks pretty good to me, what happened to the other bid...?

Lemmo...

They're argueing over a few hundred grand that needs to be found,no doubt they'll find it now Liverpool's back in the running.:disgust:

They're argueing over a few hundred grand that needs to be found,no doubt they'll find it now Liverpool's back in the running.:disgust:
Unfortunately that is probably true. The renewed competition from Liverpool will most likely force Bedfordshire County Council's hand.

Nirah 'seeks way forward' in Bedfordshire

Aquarium board and county council get back to the table

http://editorial.jpress.co.uk/web/Upload/BTJ/118200640Nirah%20Impression%20.jpg
More optimistic noises are
again being made.

A SECOND opinion is to be sought by the county council on the legality of it loaning £300,000 to help bring a freshwater science and visitor attraction to Stewartby.

Bedfordshire and the company behind the scheme – Nirah Holdings – fell out last month amid claims the county's offer of the money had been "deliberately framed" with unacceptable conditions.

But after a meeting between the sides yesterday, described as "constructive", all involved are publicly making optimistic noises again.

The Times & Citizen understands the county council is to seek a second expert legal opinion on whether it can provide the £300,000.

It was previously worried that lending the cash would risk it falling foul of European law on 'state aid', which limits how the public sector can invest in private enterprises.

The county was told by law firm Mills and Reeve it could front the money up, but with strings attached.

That issue is now set to be re-explored to find a means of keeping the Nirah scheme in Bedfordshire and away from Liverpool, where a rival bid to land the project has resurfaced.

More (http://www.lutontoday.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=550&ArticleID=1690500)...

:disgust:

we want the aquarium...

it would not only be a great tourist attraction, but a very good educational tool for the city..

Lemmo...:037:

we want the aquarium...

it would not only be a great tourist attraction, but a very good educational tool for the city..

Lemmo...:037:

If its only a matter of finding a few thousand pounds then I'm sure they will get it and we will loose it.

Ref (http://www.mk-news.co.uk/news/bedford/2006/oct/8/new%20secret%20nirah%20report.lpf)
New secret Nirah report

Another secret report has emerged on the troubled Nirah project.

Sources closely linked to the scheme, which would see an Eden-style aquatic research and tourist centre at Stewartby, say EERA, the East of England Regional Assembly, is keen for details of the financial dealings between Nirah and EEDA, the East of England Development Agency.

New secret Nirah reportEEDA has so far handed Nirah at least £1.5m which was to get the project to the planning stage.

However, since then Bedfordshire County Council, which was to have come up with the same amount, has hedged over the funding.

It claims that difficulties lie in a report into the Nirah business case by consultants Price Waterhouse Coopers.

This document was also officially kept secret but Bedfordshire on Sunday obtained a leaked summary and reported on it.

Now EERA has asked for an update and EEDA is to report to a liaison panel made up of representatives from the two organisations on Wednesday.

But though both EERA and EEDA are publicly funded bodies, this report will also be kept secret.

An EEDA spokesman said: “The report contains commercially sensitive information which is why it is being kept confidential.” Mid Bedfordshire MP Nadine Dorries (pictured), whose constituency covers the Nirah site, said: “Yet again the public and press are being denied access to information as to where and by who, their money is being spent on the Nirah concept.

“I am shocked and despair at the contempt shown to the public, when it is their hard earned money which is at stake.

“Arguments about ‘commercial sensitivity’, meaning the report should remain confidential will give the public even less confidence in how their money is being spent on their behalf.

“To call this a ‘public’ meeting and then deny the press and public access to the most important part of the agenda, makes a mockery of public accountability and transparency.

“This smoke and mirrors approach leaves me and my constituents very frustrated and leads to yet more questions when we need answers.”

Hmmm, this project is increasingly appearing to be very 'troubled'. Maybe Henshaw was right after all.

PS Scouserdave, I've just noticed that you live in Luton - my Mother's family are from Cranfield, Beds.

my Mother's family are from Cranfield, Beds.
I studied there for three years Howie. Know the place really well.

I studied there for three years Howie. Know the place really well.
My mother and grandmother both died when I was in my teens so I haven't been down there since. It was a small village last time I was there. I was the result of a war time romance. My father was a pilot stationed at RAF Cranfield and my mother was a lorry driver in the ATS delivering barbed wire and sandbags etc. to the airfield.

My mother and grandmother both died when I was in my teens so I haven't been down there since. It was a small village last time I was there. I was the result of a war time romance. My father was a pilot stationed at RAF Cranfield and my mother was a lorry driver in the ATS delivering barbed wire and sandbags etc. to the airfield.
If you want any pics of the place, PM me and I'll take some.

If you want any pics of the place, PM me and I'll take some.
Thanks I'll try and dig out her old address. A pic would be great if it's still there.

Did you know that there hasn't even been a planning application

submitted by Nirah?:eek:
I've just been informed by a trusted source. I have a few mates who work on the Echo who will be informed:PDT_Piratz_26:

sounds like it could bring a lot of tourism. Just hope the yobs can be controled to encourage

tourism.

Ther paying me to feed the yobs to the sharks.:PDT_Piratz_26: :PDT_Aliboronz_24:

One of those bulk emails from Nirah. Received this morning. I still think Liverpool has a chance.
----------------------------
I hope you will have seen on the television or read in the local press of the success of Nirah in reaching the submission of outline planning stage. This would not have been possible without the support of yourselves. Your commitment in supporting Nirah at a critical time has helped to move this project one step closer to becoming a reality in Bedfordshire by 2012.

For your information - we plan to keep the Appeal Fund open to new members until March 31st 2007 - forms can still be obtained via the local office of Nirah on 01234 354576. (Please note it does say on the Nirah website that the appeal is closed - but since that message was posted it was decided to keep the fund open for a short while longer to give any late-comers the opportunity to join).

It is important to note that the success of the planning application still rests with Bedfordshire County Council - so if you live locally you now have the opportunity to express your views by contacting your local county councillor or by taking part in the continued public consultation. At the very least this may involve writing a letter to your local paper to express your views.

We have still very long way to go - but your support for Nirah has been mirrored by businesses and investors who have been encouraged by your support - more than 12,000 people signed the petition and £25,000 was collected in by the appeal.

Please go to www.nirah.org for further details - or contact Jacquie Manners PRO for Nirah in Bedfordshire at the telephone number above.

Kindest regards

Jacquie Manners

PRO Nirah in Bedfordshire
Tel 01234 354576.

I remember secret talks about setting up a large aquarium in Liverpool(Albert Dock) about 18 years ago with a member of academic staff(Dept of Zoology) at the Uni being involved.
I'm not sure why Dave Theakston is involved as his area of expertise, in the School of Tropical Medicine, is snakes....and of course his uncles Old Peculiar beer

Liverpool is a city on the up and lacks something like this. However, Bedfordshire does seem to struggle for 'big' tourist attractions and apart from the London proximity this is obviously a motivating factor.(Its not a county that you immediately think of and this needs addressing) Who do I think could handle the management of the project better; Liverpool. Bigger budgets and the instant recognition that comes with the name.