Liverpool City Council has approved legal agreements with the joint developers of a major waterfront regeneration scheme, clearing the way for the project to progress, with around 440 homes planned for the first phase.
The development partners are expected to submit a planning application by the end of 2027 for the 27-acre site.
Urban Splash and igloo were appointed as preferred development partners in August last year, following a competitive process that also attracted bids from Muse, Vistry and CERT Property.
Vinci has already completed a £53m remediation programme to address contamination at the former International Garden Festival site, which had hindered previous attempts to bring the waterfront land forward for development.
With the clean-up work completed, the focus is now shifting towards residential development, with plans for more than 30 different house types. The proposed mix includes social rent properties, family homes, retirement living and self-build opportunities.
Urban Splash and igloo will develop parts of the site directly, working alongside partners including Alpha Living, Regenda Homes, TOWN and Starship. Six architectural practices are contributing to the design of the wider scheme.
Liverpool City Council acquired the site for £6m in 2015. Earlier proposals had envisaged up to 1,500 homes, although the scale of the development was subsequently reduced.
Urban Splash co-founder Jonathan Falkingham said: “With Urban Splash and igloo working in partnership, we’re combining decades of experience to turn this large-scale regeneration project into a community Liverpool can be proud of.”
Design development and public consultation are now expected to gather pace ahead of the planning submission. Subject to approval, construction will be delivered in phases across the waterfront site.