Ten Streets moving a step closer

The dramatic transformation of 125 acres of former docklands into a “creativity district” as part of a wider masterplan for North Liverpool, generating in excess of 2,500 new jobs, will take a step closer to reality next week.

A report will go to Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet next Friday (September 29) seeking approval for the draft Ten Streets Spatial Regeneration Framework (SRF) to go out to public consultation.

The key document sets out a planning framework and key principles to shape development on the 125 acre site – at the heart of which lies the Ten Streets creativity district.

The SRF presents a vision, illustrative masterplan, and a set of design and development principles to guide the future development of the wider site over the next 15 to 20 years.

A six-week long public consultation is expected to begin in early October, and following feedback the final SRF it is anticipated it will return to the cabinet in December for approval and formal adoption as a supplementary planning document (SPD).

The SPD document will assist in the determination of all future planning applications and any potential use of the council’s compulsory purchase orders – both in the Ten Streets creativity district and surrounding areas, with the overall SRF area having been set out into six distinct buffer zones running from Leeds Street in the south to the land adjacent to Bramley Moore Docks in the north.

Liverpool City Council recently procured HOW Planning and shedkm to undertake the task of shaping the Ten Streets SRF, which is proposing controls on the design and height of new development that no new buildings be built above eight storeys in the area as well as ensuring commercial development and affordable rents within the Ten Streets district are protected.

Joe Anderson, Mayor of Liverpool, said: “Ten Streets is a long term project but we need to get the right foundations in place so can deliver something unique in the UK. This new framework document will no doubt be of huge interest to everyone who wants to see the transformation of this part of north Liverpool and the public consultation will be critical to shaping its direction.”

The Ten Streets vision, launched earlier this year, unveiled 10 big ideas to regenerate the northern edge of the city centre and the landmark Tobacco warehouse at Stanley Dock, which lies within Liverpool’s World Heritage Site.

The proposed creativity district lies within the poorest ward in the UK – Kirkdale – has the potential for up to 1 million sq ft of development and the council is keen to attract creative companies and enterprises to flourish alongside artistic organisations.

Situated on Liverpool’s Atlantic Corridor, next to Peel’s £5.5bn Liverpool Waters skyscraper project, it is a key part of the city’s big picture regeneration vision to deliver £13bn of investment and create 40,000 new jobs over the next ten years.

Neil Lucas, Partner at HOW Planning, said: “This is a key stage in what is an ambitious and important project that will contribute significantly to the ongoing evolution of the North Docks area, and create a new vibrant destination within the city.

“We have worked closely with the city council and key stakeholders in the preparation of the draft document and look forward to hearing feedback and finalising our proposals.”

Hazel Rounding, director of shedkm, said: “The plans for how the Ten Streets area of the city might play out are now at an exciting stage where we can share our views with the public. shedkm are really excited to be part of the strategic thinking on how the future of the city will shape itself and knit in to its existing fabric and World Heritage assets; informing the tone of the Architecture of the city moving forwards.

Liverpool City Council has already made a big commitment to improving transport infrastructure in the area and is currently investing £100m in upgrading the roads, creating a new Cruise terminal and is in talks to establish new rail connections.

The city council also approved Regional Growth Fund to be invested in The Kazimier’s Invisible Wind Factory which is seen as one of the primary creative incubators in the district. Other key partners in the Ten Streets scheme also include Harcourt Developments, owners of Stanley Dock.