Liverpool Council Unveils Transformative Masterplan for Pumpfields and Limekilns Area
Liverpool Council is set to unveil a groundbreaking masterplan for the Pumpfields and Limekilns area, described as a "vital but neglected district" on the northern edge of the city centre. The plan, which will be presented to the council's cabinet this week, proposes the creation of more than 7,000 new homes, enhanced parks, and improved transport connections, aiming to transform the zone into a sustainable and vibrant mixed-use neighbourhood.
A Vision for Sustainable Urban Regeneration
The strategy, outlined in a supplementary planning document (SPD), seeks to reconnect Pumpfields and Limekilns with Liverpool's wider regeneration projects, including the Liverpool North waterfront developments. Currently, the area is an island site, severed by major roads like Scotland Road, Leeds Street, and Great Howard Street, as well as the Kingsway Tunnel. The masterplan aims to unlock and reintegrate this isolated zone through new infrastructure and better links to surrounding communities.
Key elements of the proposal include:
- Approximately 7,283 new homes, featuring a mix of townhouses, maisonettes, and apartments, with a majority being one and two-bedroom units.
- A new half-kilometre green corridor named Kingsway Park, which will restore natural elements to an area currently dominated by residential buildings, surface car parking, and vacant land.
- Improved public transport connections to benefit both Liverpool North and the city centre, addressing long-standing severance issues.
Enhancing Green Spaces and Community Facilities
The masterplan places a strong emphasis on green infrastructure and community well-being. Kingsway Park will connect the existing Ennerdale Park with the larger Central Park within the Liverpool Waters masterplan, providing much-needed open space in an area historically lacking green areas due to rapid industrialisation. Additionally, the plan proposes the sensitive relocation of the Blackstock Gardens Memorial, which commemorates World War II air raid victims, to a new memorial garden forming a green link between Kingsway Park and Pumpfields Road.
The document envisions the area as a sustainable and inclusive 20-minute neighbourhood, where residents can access essential services within a short walk or cycle. It states: "The masterplan will be a safe place for children to play out, young people will feel welcome and included, and people of all genders, abilities, and ages will enjoy spending time outside." This approach is expected to foster community cohesion, reduce pollution, and enhance overall quality of life.
Transport and Infrastructure Upgrades
Significant transport improvements are central to the plan. Key streets like Blackstock Street will be repurposed into pedestrian-priority routes, with vehicular access limited to certain times to prioritise cyclists and pedestrians. Leeds Street will be reactivated as a vibrant city centre boulevard, with widened footways and improved crossings to address traffic severance. Notably, no on-street parking will be allowed along its entire route, shifting its character towards an active travel corridor.
A major transformation is also proposed for Great Howard Street, including its junction with Leeds Street. A cut-and-cover solution would take the road underground, allowing the junction to be fully pedestrianised, thereby strengthening connections between Pumpfields and Limekilns and the waterfront. This aligns with Liverpool Council's broader waterfront strategy and aims to create a more walkable and cyclist-friendly environment.
Civic Heart and Historical Recognition
The plan also highlights Canal Square, the historic end of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, as a future "civic heart" for the area. This space will act as a catalyst for regeneration, offering open space relief amid higher-density developments. It will include a flexible, multi-functional area for local retail, informal gatherings, and community events, alongside a new linear water feature marking the canal's historic alignment.
If approved by cabinet members, the draft Pumpfields and Limekilns SPD will be published for public consultation in accordance with planning regulations. This masterplan represents a critical step in linking Liverpool's city centre to northern residential communities and emerging regeneration zones, promising a transformative future for a long-overlooked district.
