£64m scheme in heart of Liverpool is given the green light
A £64m scheme that will transform the area around Lime Street Station into a vibrant new student destination in the heart of Liverpool City Centre has been approved by the city council.
The former Royal Mail Sorting office which closed in 2010, will make way for Liverpool John Moore University’s plans for a student life and sports building.
Manchester based Barton Willmore submitted the planning application having been appointed by Faithful+Gould (member of SNC Lavalin Group) and working alongside Sheppard Robson, Cundall and WSP.
The scheme has been designed to address existing constraints and mark the entrance to the Knowledge Quarter.
New public spaces aim to transform Copperas Hill into a vibrant, attractive place that everyone can enjoy.
The development will also reveal new views of the Metropolitan Cathedral and improve connections between the KQ, Sensor City and Liverpool City Centre.
Greg Dickson, planning director at Barton Willmore, said: “The go-ahead for the redevelopment of the Copperas Hill site by Liverpool John Moores University will not only provide a central hub for student life, significantly enhancing the student-experience in the city but also crucially heralds a big step forward in the overall modernisation of Liverpool City Centre.
“This strategic site in a central location is often one of the first areas that people visiting the city.”
Professor Phil Vickerman, pro vice-chancellor at LJMU, said: “I’m delighted that we have taken another significant step forward with this exciting development on the Copperas Hill site.
“These new facilities will really enhance the university experience for our students and will help to link the different areas of our campus. Alongside Sensor City it will also strengthen the Knowledge Quarter, which is rightly regarded as one of the UK’s primary sites for research and innovation.
“The work will drive forward the regeneration of this key gateway site and completely transform the public realm and open spaces. This commitment to our community, the city and the wider city region perfectly reflects and supports our vision of LJMU as a pioneering modern civic university.”
The University is planning to develop the 1.4 ha site in two phases as part of a wider masterplan across the LJMU estate.
Work on phase one of the scheme is expected to be completed by autumn of 2020.
Barton Willmore’s planning and heritage team also recently gained permission for an extension to Aldham Robarts Library which is part of a programme of library enhancements by LJMU.
