Full steam ahead for £50m cruise terminal at world-famous waterfront

Plans for a £50m cruise terminal on Liverpool’s famous waterfront have been approved by the city.

The proposals went before the council’s planning committee with a recommendation for approval.

Outline planning permission was approved, with final designs subject to further assessment.

Site preparation is expected to start in October 2018.

Liverpool’s head of city assets, Angie Redhead, said the development could “create thousands of new jobs” and attract “thousands more visitors”.

She added that the development is “a major step forward” for “one of the city’s most important regeneration schemes”, which will boost the local economy by welcoming “the next generation of super liners all year round”.

Last year Liverpool welcomed more than 60 vessels to the riverfront, with 120,000 passengers and crew to its current terminal, which generates more than £7m a year for the local economy.

But the new site will be able to handle the world’s largest super liners.

Plans include the demolition of the existing Princes Jetty on Princes Parade for the new structure to be built on a suspended deck on the Mersey.

Passenger facilities will include passport control, baggage handling, a lounge, café, toilets, taxi rank and vehicle pick-up point.

Five weeks ago the council appointed McLaughlin & Harvey to prepare the new cruise terminal facility as part of a two-stage design and build contract.

McLaughlin & Harvey contract director John Mariner said the firm would be fully supporting the Liverpool in Work programme to provide and promote engagement with local subcontractors and suppliers, and offer local employment opportunities.

Future planning applications could include proposals for a 200-room hotel and 1,700+ multi-storey car park.

The council has also indicated that it could spend an additional £32m on upgrading the A565 road link to support the new terminal, as well as a £20m link road between Leeds Street and the waterfront.

Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson has described the creation of a new cruise liner terminal as “one of the most important regeneration projects of this decade” which he said is vital to the region’s tourism economy.