LIVERPOOL City Council, in partnership with the University of Liverpool, will begin a major public consultation on Paddington South, 1 of the City’s most significant future innovation and public realm developments.

The project will accelerate Liverpool’s life science and innovation sectors, centred around a vibrant new neighbourhood with better connectivity and retaining and improving the green space for local community use.

The masterplan outlines a series of proposed development plots, including R&D,  laboratories and workshop space.

As part of this vision, the aim is to:-

• Deliver world-leading research and development facilities in science innovation
• Create thousands of jobs, supporting Liverpool’s long-term growth ambitions
• Provide multi-functional green spaces that bring all community members together
• Improve biodiversity by 10%, contributing to the city’s wider green objectives
• Integrate safe and accessible active travel routes within a growing cycle network
• Re-establish Crown Street as a key connection into and through the area

 
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. 

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.”

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 is a new £111 million University of Liverpool facility for chemical sciences, which will house a new AI Materials Hub for Innovation (AIM-HI). 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.”

To support the consultation, which will run from:- Monday, 9 March until Sunday 19 April 2026, members of the public can access this webpage, which includes accessible information, visuals, and the opportunity to comment. Public events will also be announced to support the consultation process.