Construction of the Isle of Man Ferry Terminal in Liverpool can start in the summer after planning approval was confirmed today (Tuesday 9 April).

The news has been welcomed today by Chief Minister Howard Quayle MHK, who said:

Gaining planning consent is brilliant news, and the next step in delivering this vital project.

The need to secure such a strategically important asset was acknowledged in the Programme for Government and we now look forward to seeing the Island’s new terminal take shape.

He added:

My thanks go to everyone who has been involved in enabling the project to reach this stage – with the promenade project now well under way and the Steam Packet purchased, this administration is proving it is getting things done for the long-term benefit of the Isle of Man. This is the first time that the Isle of Man Government has owned property in the UK so it really is a major step forward.

The terminal will be constructed at Princes Half-Tide Dock, 675 metres downriver of the current Pier Head facility. It will sit within Peel Land and Property’s Liverpool Waters, the £5 billion regeneration scheme which is transforming 60 hectares of the city’s north docks, including the development of numerous residential, commercial and leisure facilities across five distinct neighbourhoods.

The site sits within Liverpool’s Maritime Mercantile City World Heritage Site and the Stanley Dock Conservation Area. The development of the design, in partnership with architects The Manser Practice, involved lengthy consultation with a range of stakeholders including Liverpool City Council, Liverpool Waters Conservation Board, Places Matter Design Review Panel and Peel Land and Property.

Contractor John Sisk and Sons Limited has been appointed to construct the facility, which is due to be completed by late 2020, following a full tender process. Funding for the construction phase is subject to approval from Tynwald; the overall cost is forecast to be £31.3m.

Infrastructure Minister Ray Harmer MHK said:

With the new Sea Services Agreement due to be finalised in June and planning approval for the new terminal now secure, this news will allow residents and businesses to make plans with confidence.

The Department has worked closely with the Isle of Man Steam Packet to deliver this project, and this has helped strengthen an already solid working relationship. Importantly, the new terminal will enable the Isle of Man Government to have full control over its lifeline sea links to the United Kingdom.

Joe Anderson, Mayor of Liverpool, said:

The new Isle of Man Ferry Terminal is a critical piece in our regeneration plans for the north shore of Liverpool. The city council is investing a huge amount of money in the transport infrastructure to support this new facility and we are delighted it now has planning approval and can look forward to its completion. The Isle of Man and Liverpool have a historic relationship and this new ferry terminal will cement our strong links and forge even closer ties into the future.

Darran Lawless, development director at Liverpool Waters, said:

We’re pleased that after much careful planning and working closely with Liverpool City Council and the Isle of Man Government, the relocation of the ferry terminal has been given approval to move ahead at Princes Half-Tide Dock, Liverpool Waters.

It’s an exciting time for Peel Land and Property at Liverpool Waters, with multiple developments already taking shape where the terminal will be situated. The Isle of Man Ferry will be a fantastic asset to the wider regeneration scheme, which is already delivering new homes and jobs as well as creating further opportunities to access the city’s northern docks, along with the ongoing road improvements taking place as part of Liverpool City Council and the Combined Authority’s City Centre Connectivity project.