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By Chris Shaw, Deputy Website Editor

International & Travel

Peel Holdings hopes to rebuild Liverpool's docks north of the city; YouTube: Video of Peel project

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Ambitious proposals to transform the city's docks have been laid out, as residents of Liverpool have been invited to give their views on the £5.5bn regeneration project.

The company in charge of the Liverpool Waters development, Peel Holdings, held a two-day consultation event in the city centre to show the public their plans.

More than 150 acres of dockland is covered by the project, which aims to create a “major sustainable community” and transform the area from “an inaccessible, under-used area with a poor quality environment into a high quality, mixed-use new quarter of Liverpool”.

Paul Grover, a planning consultant for the scheme, said: “The general feedback has been positive. This event is to give people an idea of how we want to re-interpret the docks.

“This acts as a catalyst for the city – we want to bring people from around the UK back to Liverpool.”

Thousands of jobs would be created during the development,

which is expected to take at least 30 years, with a large number

of those employment opportunities expected to be given to

people in Liverpool.

Mr Grover added: “We’re looking at 25,000 to 30,000 jobs, and

a wide range of jobs, so there should be something for people

in the city to apply for and aspire to.”

Peel Holdings is an important development company in the

North West, with the Liverpool Waters project adding to their

ownership of Liverpool John Lennon Airport, and a similar

scheme to transform the Wirral is also in the pipeline.

Many people came to the consultation on the first day to take advantage of the opportunity to see designs of how the finished project could look and also ask questions of the company in charge.

Although the public were glowing in their praise of how the redeveloped docks would look, several issues of concern were voiced. Questions were raised about whether this project should be a priority for the city, particularly given the expected timeframe.

Gerald Philips said: “I think the idea is good but it’s looking ahead maybe 30 or 40 years. I think they ought to do something to get the [cruise liner] terminal built before then.”

Steve Moran is worried about the effect the redesign would have on cruise ships, and is concerned that Peel will not listen to the public’s opinion, despite giving out feedback forms.

He said: “The access looks very good but what I’m worried about is the access for our tour ships. Where are they going to dock?

“I was told to write down what I thought. Someone will take a note but it’s sad that we’re not listened to as the ordinary person. All we can do is make our remarks and hope for the best.”

Joyce Threadgold echoed the sentiments of many of those who attended the event, in complimenting the design. She said: “It probably will look lovely when it’s finished. It will certainly improve the view on the way down to Bootle. That area isn’t very nice at the moment.”

The scheme will be exhibited at the Shanghai World Expo for six months this year, attempting to attract international interest, and an outline planning application will be submitted in March.

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