Liverpool Waters Identified as Priority in Next Phase of Mayoral Development Corporation Plans

The next steps for Liverpool’s emerging Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC) will be unveiled this morning with the announcement that a full business case is now in development to transform the city’s North Docks.

Mayor Steve Rotheram will make the announcement at the 2026 MIPIM property conference, in Cannes, France, where he will outline to potential investors how the MDC aims to inspire “one of the UK’s most dramatic renaissance stories of the 21st century”. The Mayor will also reveal that Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, with Liverpool City Council, is set to launch a statutory public consultation on the proposed MDC by the summer.

Subject to approval, the MDC will build on momentum generated by Everton FC’s new Hill Dickinson Stadium at Liverpool Waters as it seeks to convert 174 hectares of brownfield land into a dynamic extension of Liverpool city centre, with 5m sq ft of new commercial space and 17,700 new homes.

Progress Photo of Central Docks Liverpool Waters in March 2026 were infrastructure works being funding by Peel Waters and Homes England is currently under way to support up to 2,350 new homes on the site

Building on momentum generated by Everton FC’s new Hill Dickinson Stadium at Liverpool Waters

Speaking at the Liverpool City Region stand at MIPIM, Mayor Rotheram will explain to delegates how the North Docks zone aims to bring together a number of regeneration priorities in the area, including:

The Central Docks, Liverpool Waters development, including a new urban park, supported by a £55m government grant and £26m investment from Peel Waters, site preparation due for completion in 2028.

The £1bn Kings development by Beetham Davos, also within Liverpool Waters.

A major Grade A office scheme at Pall Mall, in the city’s Commercial District.

Stanley Dock warehouse complex conversion for residential and visitor stay accommodation.

Liverpool Cruise Liner expansion by Global Port Holdings by 2028.

CGI of Liverpool Waters — CGI of the Liverpool Waters masterplan

The zone’s future will be guided by a strategic masterplan vision and delivery framework that is being co-produced with Homes England, in conjunction with key stakeholders in the area.

This framework will also incorporate existing initiatives for housing-led regeneration under the Pumpfields SPD, working with businesses in the 10 Streets area, and will align with aspirations set out in the Council’s Waterfront Plan for enhanced connectivity between the city centre and North Docks.

How Central Docks looked last year before Peel Waters started on site - the area has been listed as a priority area for investment, planning and development

The corporation will involve collaboration between the Combined Authority, Liverpool City Council, Homes England, national agencies and Peel Waters

The forthcoming statutory 6-week consultation will give residents, businesses and stakeholders the opportunity to comment on the scope and function of the MDC. Once completed, the results of the consultation will inform the full business case, which will set out the financial, economic, commercial and governance reasons for its establishment. It will then be sent to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, for consideration by Government.

A landmark £2bn Investment Fund to fast-track development projects

The Combined Authority, which yesterday unveiled a landmark £2bn Investment Fund to fast-track development projects, is expected to consider the formal creation of the MDC following work on the business case in the autumn. Subject to approval, this would enable the corporation, which will involve collaboration between the Combined Authority, Liverpool City Council, Homes England, national agencies and private sector partners such as Peel Waters, to progress towards full legal establishment once national consent is secured.

Peel Waters started work to deliver the £81.1million Central Docks Liverpool Waters infrastructure works last year

Dedicated teams focused on development delivery

By adopting new powers for accelerated planning, land assembly and infrastructure delivery, the Mayor will highlight the crucial role of the MDC in its ability to enable streamlined decision-making, innovative financing tools and dedicated teams focused on development delivery and economic growth to a long-term phased delivery plan.

Mayor Rotheram’s announcement on the MDC’s business case timetable comes less than a day after developer Beetham Davos revealed how their stunning new Kings neighbourhood, which falls within the emerging MDC boundary, would connect the northern fringe of the docklands with the city centre’s commercial business district.

Mayor Rotheram will also reveal that North Docks will be the region’s place-based regeneration project, along with Liverpool Central Station, following the Government’s Green book review in 2025.

CGI of how Central Park at Central Docks Liverpool Waters will look on completion

Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram said: “This Mayoral Development Corporation has the potential to inspire one of the UK’s most dramatic renaissance stories of the century, so I’m delighted to say our foot is firmly on the pedal to make this happen.

“For far too long, vast swatches of the city’s historic docklands have been left to rot and the impact on North Liverpool and the communities surrounding it is clear to see.

“Now with the arrival of Everton’s new stadium and exciting plans from developers such as Peel Waters and Beetham Davos coming out the ground, the timing to create such a body has never been better and the full business case should be ready for the Government to assess within the next 6 months.

“Momentum and confidence in the private sector is building and this MDC is the perfect body to capture that and provide the tools to accelerate it.

“Working alongside Liverpool City Council, we have a clear roadmap ahead of us to turbocharge much needed investment in a number of schemes which will transform this area from a brownfield wilderness to a dynamic extension of Liverpool city centre.”

In December last year, Liverpool City Council reached a key milestone when its Cabinet endorsed the ambition to create an MDC for the North Docks.

Pictured above: James Whittaker MD of Peel Waters [left] with Daniel Drimmer, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Starlight Investments and Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region [centre] at the grand opening of Lighthaus Liverpool Waters last week

The catalyst Liverpool Waters needs to go further, faster.

James Whittaker, Managing Director of Peel Waters said: “We welcome today’s announcement from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and fully support the creation of a Mayoral Development Corporation.

“Peel Waters has been a long-term partner to the city region, and the inclusion of Liverpool Waters is an important step forward. Liverpool Waters is already proving what working in partnership can achieve – 1,308 new homes, 289 hotel beds, and Everton’s incredible 52,000‑capacity stadium delivered with our partners.

“With major infrastructure now underway at Central Docks to enable 2,350 more homes, plans progressing at pace at Kings and Princes Dock attracting in UK first leisure ventures; momentum at Liverpool Waters has never been stronger.

“Being part of the MDC will mean quicker decisions, greater flexibility, and closer collaboration; helping us accelerate our plans to build 7,000 homes and act as the catalyst Liverpool Waters needs to go further, faster.”

More than 1,000 homes have been completed across Liverpool Waters to date

Liverpool City Council Leader Cllr Liam Robinson said: “This is a hugely important moment for the future of Liverpool’s North Docks and our wider city. Working with the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, the proposed Mayoral Development Corporation gives us a powerful opportunity to accelerate regeneration on a scale that simply hasn’t been possible before.

“By building on the momentum created by major investments such as the new Everton stadium at Liverpool Waters, we can unlock long term growth, deliver thousands of new homes, and create high quality jobs in a part of the city with enormous potential.

“Just as importantly, we are committed to engaging residents, businesses and partners as plans develop, so that this transformation delivers real benefits for Liverpool and its communities.”

Discover more about the future of Liverpool Waters and opportunities here.