Mayor Steve Rotheram has today unveiled the next steps for Liverpool’s emerging Mayoral Development Corporation, announcing that a full business case is now in development to transform the city’s North Docks into one of the UK’s most ambitious regeneration zones.
Speaking at the 2026 MIPIM property conference in Cannes, Mayor Rotheram outlined plans that he says could deliver “one of the UK’s most dramatic renaissance stories of the 21st century”, positioning Liverpool’s waterfront as a globally competitive district for jobs, homes, culture and investment.
The Mayor confirmed that the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, working jointly with Liverpool City Council, will launch a statutory consultation by the summer, giving residents, businesses and stakeholders the opportunity to respond to proposals for the MDC.
Subject to approval, the MDC will oversee the regeneration of 174 hectares of brownfield land north of the city centre, including 5 million sq ft of new commercial space, 17,700 new homes, and improved public realm and connectivity to Liverpool Waters
The plans build on significant momentum from Everton FC’s new Hill Dickinson Stadium, which has become a strategic anchor for development.
Mayor Rotheram also set out how the North Docks MDC boundary brings together several major regeneration priorities, including:
- Central Docks, Liverpool Waters – supported by a £55m government grant and £26m Peel Waters investment, with site preparation due to complete in 2028
- £1bn Kings development by Beetham Davos
- Pall Mall Grade A office development within the city’s Commercial District
- Stanley Dock warehouse conversions for residential and visitor accommodation
- Liverpool Cruise Liner Terminal expansion by Global Port Holdings, expected by 2028
These projects will be supported through a strategic masterplan vision and delivery framework co‑produced with Homes England, ensuring alignment across planning, infrastructure, land assembly and delivery.
The MDC plans will integrate with:
- Pumpfields SPD housing‑led regeneration
- Ongoing business engagement in the 10 Streets creative district
- The Council’s Waterfront Plan, strengthening physical and economic connections between the city centre and North Docks
This integrated approach is designed to deliver consistent placemaking, coordinated investment and long‑term economic resilience.
The forthcoming six‑week statutory consultation will help shape the MDC’s scope and governance. Feedback will form part of the full business case, which will set out:
- Financial and commercial modelling
- Governance arrangements
- Economic benefits
- Long‑term development strategy
The business case will be submitted to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government later this year. Subject to approval, the LCRCA is expected to consider formal MDC establishment in autumn 2026.
Once approved nationally, the corporation will move toward full legal establishment, involving collaboration between the combined authority, Liverpool City Council, Homes England, National Agencies, and other private sector partners.
The MDC would unlock enhanced powers, including in accelerated planning, land assembly, infrastructure delivery, and innovative financing.
The Mayor also highlighted that North Docks has been identified as the region’s place‑based regeneration priority, alongside Liverpool Central Station, following the Government’s 2025 Green Book review.
The announcement comes just one day after Beetham Davos revealed new visuals for the £1bn Kings neighbourhood, showing how the development will connect the northern fringe of the docklands with the commercial business district. Mayor 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 swathes 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."
The proposals mark a key milestone following Liverpool City Council’s decision in December 2025 to endorse the ambition to create an MDC.
Image credit: iStock
