A major public consultation on Paddington Village South, one of the city’s most significant future innovation and public realm developments, will begin next week.
A masterplan for the 9-acre site is being delivered in partnership by Liverpool City Council and the University of Liverpool, as part of a shared vision to bring opportunity, growth and energy to the area.
The masterplan proposes to create development opportunities for materials chemistry innovation and chemical sciences education, set in improved green space with new, mixed-use community facilities.
Alongside two commercial laboratories, a new £111 million University of Liverpool facility for chemical sciences will house the AI Materials Hub for Innovation (AIM-HI). AIM-HI will be a flagship national facility dedicated to accelerating the application of artificial intelligence in materials chemistry.
The Hub will feature state-of-the-art research and translational spaces, as well as an innovation incubator designed to foster collaboration between academic and industrial researchers and support the creation of new spin outs.
Professor Richard Black, Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University of Liverpool, said: “Paddington South is a really exciting opportunity to transform a former brownfield site into a vibrant research and innovation cluster, creating jobs and boosting the regional economy.
“At the heart of these plans, AIM-HI will position the Liverpool City Region and the UK as a global leader in AI-driven materials research, development, and innovation – and will play an important part in the Government’s Industrial Strategy and the City Region Combined Authority’s Growth Plan.”
Councillor Nick Small, Liverpool City Council Cabinet Member for Growth and Economy said: “Paddington South is a once in a generation opportunity to transform a key part of the city’s Knowledge Quarter, creating jobs, supporting innovation and delivering exceptional public spaces.
“These are ambitious plans which will help cement Liverpool’s Knowledge Quarter as one of the leading areas of innovation in Europe.
“We encourage everyone to take part in the consultation and help shape the masterplan before plans progress further.”
The masterplan aims to retain and enhance green space, establish stronger pedestrian and cycling links, and deliver new high-quality buildings alongside a redesigned, greener Grove Street corridor.
Plans seek to improve biodiversity on the site by 10%, with much of the existing greenspace and trees adjacent to Grove Street retained and enhanced. Spaces will be open for people to visit and views are sought on how a multi-purpose pavilion could serve as a focal point to bring the community together.
The consultation will run from Monday 9 March until Sunday 19 April, members of the public can access this webpage from Monday www.paddingtonvillagesouth.co.uk, which includes accessible information, visuals and the opportunity to comment.