Liverpool City Council has announced the commencement of work on Paddington South, the next phase in the city’s flagship £1bn Knowledge Quarter hub.
This development is part of the wider Paddington Village project, which currently includes The Spine building and the Novotel hotel. The council aims to further expand Paddington Village to boost Liverpool’s growing research, development, and innovation sector while creating a lively new neighbourhood.
A notable aspect of the Paddington South development will be the enhancement of public green spaces around Grove Street, intending to increase biodiversity by 10% as part of the city’s broader urban greening programme. This development was made possible through substantial government funding received earlier this year, targeted at accelerating innovation-led economic growth.
The funding facilitated the purchase of the former Smithdown Lane Police Station, which is slated for demolition in the first quarter of 2025. Morgan Sindall, a leading construction company, has been appointed to carry out the masterplanning and enabling works for Paddington South, ensuring the plot is prepared for future developments.
Councillor Nick Small, Liverpool City Council’s cabinet member for growth and economy, commented, “The start of work at Paddington South is a landmark moment in our journey to ensuring Liverpool becomes one of Europe’s leading R&D centres in science innovation. An expanded Paddington Village is vital to the city’s future economic growth and to creating a conveyor belt of high-skilled jobs. Once delivered, this former brownfield site will become the engine room for the delivery of our wider Investment Zone plans for the coming decade and beyond. I’m delighted that sustainability and creating a new green lung in the city is a key focus of this world-class development and I look forward to seeing the masterplan for the site take shape and develop.”
The University of Liverpool is also significantly involved in the Paddington South scheme. Professor Richard Black, the University’s provost and deputy vice-chancellor, expressed, “We are excited about the important opportunities offered by the development of Paddington South to enable a step-change in our research and development activities in areas where we are already rated as world-leading. We are particularly passionate about the important benefits the development will have for our city in terms of jobs, reputation, wealth generation and more.”
Emily Robson, assistant chief executive of Knowledge Quarter Liverpool, also highlighted the importance of the project, stating, “Paddington Village is intrinsic to the future success of the Knowledge Quarter Liverpool innovation district, with the capability to help create upwards of 10,000 new, highly-skilled jobs in the city region, building on our existing strengths in life sciences, robotics engineering and materials chemistry. The provision of green space and other amenities is crucial in creating a genuine sense of place and attracting people to live and work here. We look forward to supporting Morgan Sindall and the city council in their efforts to complete this next phase of work – taking us a step closer to realising the enormous potential of Paddington Village.”
The Paddington South development marks a significant milestone in Liverpool’s ambition to become a leading hub for research and innovation. With substantial government funding, strategic planning, and committed stakeholders, this project promises to drive economic growth, create high-skilled jobs, and enhance the city’s urban environment.