The Central Docks Masterplan
Peel plan to build city dock towers
LIVERPOOL'S derelict Central Docks is to be developed with skyscrapers to mirror the Manhattan skyline proposed for Wirral.
The Daily Post can reveal that senior executives from Peel Holdings have already shown their vision for Liverpool's waterfront to council leader Cllr Warren Bradley and chief executive Colin Hilton.
The aim by Peel, owners of the docks as well as Liverpool John Lennon Airport, is to create a stunning high-rise waterfront gateway on both sides of the Mersey.
Buildings of up to 50-storeys high will be a dominant feature of the waterfront, stretching from Central Docks towards Princes Dock, which is also part of the Peel land ownership.
Peel's master plan for Central Docks is expected to be presented to city councillors within weeks. Then the public will be given a chance to the vision for the waterfront for themselves.
On Tuesday, the privately owned company announced details of its £4.5bn plan to create a mini-Manhattan based on Birkenhead Docks to be known as Wirral Waters. Few people realised that, behind the scenes, Peel's director of development, Lindsey Ashworth, had already created a wider master plan embracing both sides of the river.
Last night, Mr Ashworth said: "We are trying to do something spectacular on both sides of the river. Our aim is to develop the Wirral and Liverpool waterfronts simultaneously.
"The schemes we have in mind for Central and Princes will be on a similar level to what we propose in Wirral.
"We want to create clusters of skyscrapers on both sides of the river. That will ensure the Mersey as a waterfront is up there with the very best in the world.
"Until recently, Liverpool had a provisional policy of high-rise buildings, but things have changed. We see skyscrapers as making a bold statement about an area.
"When I first visited Central Docks, I was amazed at its dereliction and the fact that it is just not being used.
"But the site is outstanding and it beggars belief that nothing has happened on the site. It was easier for us to unveil our plans for Wirral first, but our ambitions for Liverpool are not far behind. We are talking about initiatives that can take as long as 30 years to come to fruition. Our wide masterplan takes account of a long timescale and making the most of the waterfronts."
New buildings proposed for Princes Dock are likely to be taller than originally envisaged, as part of the evolving skyscraper strategy for the waterfront.
Last night, city council leader Cllr Warren Bradley said: "I want to see a European-style scheme along the waterfront and I am impressed by what Peel is talking about. The Central and North docks areas are a huge development site and we are talking about a massive project for Liverpool.
"John Whittaker (chairman of Peel) has a reputation for delivering, and I am looking forward to seeing the master plan for this side of the river.
"Liverpool City Council will make sure the facilities are in place to ensure this scheme moved forward. I view Peel as a perfect partner in a regeneration strategy."
Source:The North West Enquirer.
Peel steps up docks project
Published on Jul 13 2006 PEEL Holdings, owner of the Mersey Docks & Harbour Company, has started consolidating its landholdings in the Central Docks area of North Liverpool.
Peel acquired MDHC for £771m late last year and with the operations of the Port of Liverpool took on its 2,000-acre property estate, 300 acres of it available for development.
The Salford-based developer is now in the process of acquiring land outside of MDHC ownership to link up the area for comprehensive redevelopment.
At 70 acres Central Docks is seen as the linchpin in the MDHC development portfolio: it has outline planning permission for 300,000 sq ft of offices and industrial space, 2,000 homes, shops, pubs, restaurants and a marina.
It is understood Peel has approached Kitgrove, the subsidiary of Richcliff which owns Stanley Dock, the problematic 12-acre site in the heart of the area. Stanley Dock contains the 1m sq ft Tobacco Warehouse, and two smaller warehouses to the north and south.
The interior darkness and low ceilings make conversion of the Tobacco Ware-house impossible without vast public subsidy. Peel and Kitgrove declined to comment.
I hope this is fairly recent that building is fantastic. :)
The Central Docks Masterplan.
To me,it would be fantastic if 'Peel' could incorporate into their 'Plans' the main contendors in the 'Fourth Grace Competition' (The Race that never Was !!!!) ie.The 'Cullinan'/'Rogers' & 'Foster' building plans...they were superb plans/buildings....Not!! the 'Cloud'....All three of those buildings would fit in superbly!!!:slywink: