Developer to unveil new designs for controversial site

A developer is set to reveal a new vision for a high profile regeneration project in Liverpool where work has been at a standstill.

Great George Street Developments is holding a public exhibition and consultation on plans for the site formerly known as New Chinatown, a five-acre regeneration scheme in the city centre.

Work on phase one of the development – comprising 117 apartments and 4,122 sq ft of commercial space – is set to resume later this year in line with a previous planning consent.

But the developer is redesigning the other phases of the scheme to ensure it aligns more closely with the city’s strategic aspirations and better connects and relates to the Baltic Quarter and Chinatown

Details of those further phases will be shared with visitors at a one day public exhibition next Tuesday, June 5, between 12.30pm and 7pm, at the Siren, 54 St James Street, Liverpool.

The exhibition is open to all, and there will be the opportunity to meet the development company’s team of professional advisors and to ask questions about the plans.

Subject to the outcomes of the consultation, the company hopes to submit a planning application for the further phases this summer.

Overall, the new design for the site could see the creation of a total of approximately 760 largely one-, two- and three-bed apartments, 25 townhouses, 75,000 sq ft of commercial space, and 31,500 sq ft of office space.

It would also see the creation of new green space and public realm, including the narrowing of Great George Street to create a new linear park.

Neal Hunter, development director for Great George Street Developments, a consortium of investors which bought the company that owned the site’s leasehold, said they had been engaging with key stakeholders on their plans and were now keen to get public feedback.

Mr Hunter added: “Our view is that the new overall scheme can better align with the city’s strategic aspirations and better connect with the Baltic Quarter and the existing Chinatown.

“Our new proposals will see the creation of new green spaces, a lovely linear park, and outside event space.

“It will complement the Georgian Quarter, just up the hill, and connect in a sympathetic way to the Baltic Triangle and the surrounding residential properties.

“Ultimately, we want to create an inclusive, vibrant new district for the city, where people can live, work and play.

“We want it to become a destination for young enterprises and established businesses alike, as well as a home for people of all ages and family circumstances.”

Mr Hunter added: “We believe we have significantly improved the quality of the scheme by introducing some larger commercial space and a more diverse mix of residential, including family homes.”

Advisors to the new project include Arup, Brock Carmichael architects, JMW, CBRE and Planit-IE.