A landmark multi-million-pound regeneration scheme to build a new neighbourhood of around 800 homes at the Festival Gardens site has cleared a major hurdle.
Liverpool City Council has approved the legal agreements needed to bring forward, with our preferred development partners Urban Splash Development and igloo, the long-awaited redevelopment of the historic south Liverpool waterfront site, paving the way for construction to begin in phases over the coming years – one of the city’s most significant housing-led regeneration projects.
The agreement follows a competitive procurement process which selected Urban Splash and igloo as the preferred development partners to transform the former Festival Gardens site, located on Liverpool’s south waterfront.
The site has long been earmarked for redevelopment but faced significant environmental and contamination challenges. Extensive remediation and enabling works were completed in January 2024 through funding from Homes England, the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and Liverpool City Council, leaving the site ready for development.
Current proposals would see approximately 800 homes delivered across the site, including a mix of market and affordable housing – delivering a thriving, sustainable and inclusive neighbourhood with a strong identity and sense of community. Up to 441 homes are expected to be delivered in the first phase, helping to meet growing housing demand while enabling significant early progress and transformation from the off.
The development partners have committed to ambitious sustainability targets, biodiversity net gain measures and low-carbon construction approaches, supporting Liverpool’s wider environmental ambitions. In the past year, they have commenced work on biodiversity audits and long-term strategy, working closely with Natural England, Mersey Forest and United Utilities.
The new neighbourhood draws on the legacy of the 1984 International Garden Festival, bringing together nature, great design and an inclusive mix of homes to create a community with a distinctive quality.
Set in generous landscape and green space and connected to the river, it will offer a wide range of homes, tenures and lifestyles for people of all ages and backgrounds, from affordable and shared ownership options to homes for rent, sale, co-housing and later living. The proposed scheme will also benefit existing residents in the area with improved connections from the St Michaels area to the waterfront and additional local amenities.
Delivered by Urban Splash, igloo and a team of design-led partners, the neighbourhood will combine a rich diversity of architecture, landscape, innovative construction and beautifully crafted homes to create a sustainable, welcoming new place with a unique character.
The scheme will use igloo’s award-winning Footprint® methodology to ensure a place-based approach, which considers local needs and opportunities, stakeholder aspirations and the need to conserve precious resources.
The agreement will help fulfil commitments made under grant funding arrangements and unlock the delivery of new homes on a site that has remained undeveloped for many years despite significant public investment.
The development partners will now begin the next stage of design work, consultation and business planning prior to the submission of a planning application before the phased delivery of homes gets underway.
Councillor Nick Small, Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet Member for Economy and Growth, said: “Festival Gardens is one of Liverpool’s most iconic regeneration opportunities, and this decision represents another major step towards bringing the site back into use.
“The agreement allows us to move forward with plans that will deliver hundreds of much-needed new homes, attract investment and create a thriving new neighbourhood on our waterfront.
“The site has undergone extensive remediation work over recent years, and we can now focus on turning our vision for Festival Gardens into reality.”
Duncan Inglis, Regional Director for the North West at Homes England, said: “As the Government’s housing and regeneration agency, we aim to support public and private sector partners to unlock strategic housing sites, where brownfield, infrastructure or land projects face delivery challenges. In South Liverpool, the Festival Gardens site is a prime example of this.
“This new regeneration has been part-funded by our Local Authority Accelerated Construction scheme, which showcases how we continue to work closely with mayoral authorities and local councils to meet the needs of their communities.”
Joe Broadley, Development Director at igloo, said: “This latest milestone signifies an important moment for the new neighbourhood at Festival Gardens
“The iconic waterfront site will be a major catalyst for the growth of the city region, unlocking opportunity for collaboration across the various programmes of delivery.
“We’re now looking forward to working closely with the community, Urban Splash and our partners to co-create something special over the coming months and years.”
Jonathan Falkingham MBE, Co-Founder of Urban Splash, said: “This is huge progress for Festival Gardens and Liverpool as a whole. It’s a major new development that will not only create a vibrant, inclusive neighbourhood but also provide local employment opportunities on this long-standing site.
“With Urban Splash and igloo working inpartnership, we’re combining decades of experience to turn this large-scale regeneration project into a community Liverpool can be proud of. We’re excited to bring this landmark project to life.”
Councillor Peter Norris, Festival Gardens Ward Councillor, said: “This is a significant milestone for Festival Gardens and a welcome step forward for our community. Through the many conversations I’ve had with local residents over the years, one message has been consistent: people want to see this iconic waterfront site brought back into use in a way that benefits both existing and future communities.
“It’s encouraging to see progress towards delivering new homes, enhanced green spaces and local amenities. Just as importantly, this development must be matched by the infrastructure and connectivity improvements needed to support growth, strengthen links to the waterfront and make it easier for people to access the opportunities created.
“I look forward to continuing to work with residents as plans develop and ensuring local voices remain at the heart of shaping the future of Festival Gardens.”
