Liverpool’s landmark £1bn Knowledge Quarter is set to enter a significant new phase, with demolition work now complete on a key site within the Paddington Village South scheme.
The former Smithdown Lane Police Station has been fully removed, unlocking fresh development opportunities as part of a masterplan jointly led by Liverpool City Council and the University of Liverpool.
Backed by MHCLG funding, Paddington Village South is the latest stage in the acclaimed Paddington Village project. The wider site already features The Spine, a WELL Platinum-rated Grade A office building, as well as a multi-storey car park and the Novotel Liverpool Paddington Village hotel.
The vision for Paddington South is to accelerate growth in Liverpool’s research, development and innovation sectors, while creating a sustainable and vibrant new neighbourhood. The 9-acre scheme will be underpinned by eco-friendly principles and will feature an enhanced public green space around Grove Street, targeting a 10% biodiversity net gain. New active travel routes will also connect into the city’s wider cycling network.
The green space will be developed in line with Liverpool’s Public Realm and Design for Access for All strategies, with an ambition to achieve zero operational carbon, supporting the Council’s 2030 net zero targets and the University’s aim for a carbon-neutral campus by 2035.
Demolition contractor Morgan Sindall Construction has focused on reuse and recycling throughout the clearance process. Working with local charity ReciproCity, furniture from the former police station, including over 250 desks and chairs, was donated to local organisations, helping to divert waste from landfill.
Morgan Sindall has a strong track record at Paddington Village, having delivered key elements of the central site including The Spine, the Novotel, and the MSCP. Their work across both phases has so far generated £122.5m in social value for Liverpool, including engaging 3,534 students, delivering 1,623 apprentice weeks across 123 apprenticeships, and supporting over 150 individuals through employment courses at the Knowledge Quad.
Paddington Village, a flagship development owned by Liverpool City Council, has received multiple industry accolades. These include eight Considerate Constructors Awards (including “Most Considerate Site”), an Innovation Award from the British Council for Offices for The Spine, and three Constructing Excellence North West Awards.
Minister for Local Growth, Alex Norris, MP, said:
“The Paddington South site is set to become a hub for research and innovation, driving growth and opportunities in Liverpool’s Knowledge Quarter and beyond, helping us deliver on our Plan for Change.
“Liverpool has always been at the forefront with new ideas and innovation so it’s exciting that the project has entered this new phase, and I look forward to seeing it progress in the months ahead.”
Councillor Liam Robinson, Leader of Liverpool City Council, said:
“The clearance of the old police station at Paddington South is a landmark moment in our journey to ensuring Liverpool becomes one of Europe’s leading R&D centres in science innovation.
“An expanded Paddington Village is vital to the city’s future economic growth and to creating a conveyor belt of high skilled jobs. Once delivered, this former brownfield site will become the engine room for the delivery of our wider Investment Zone plans for the coming decade and beyond.
“I’m delighted the focus on providing a world-class development is as much on sustainability and creating a new green lung in the city and look forward to seeing the masterplan for the site take shape and develop.”
Professor Tim Jones, Vice Chancellor at the University of Liverpool, said:
“We are excited about this latest milestone in the development of Paddington South. This site provides us with an exciting opportunity to realise a step-change in our research and development activities in areas where we are already rated as world-leading.
“We are particularly passionate about the important benefits the development will have for our city in terms of jobs, reputation, wealth generation and more.”
Colin Sinclair, CEO at Knowledge Quarter Liverpool, said:
“Paddington Village is intrinsic to the future success of the KQ Liverpool innovation district, with the capability to help create upwards of 10,000 new, highly-skilled jobs in the city region, building on our existing strengths in life sciences, robotics engineering and materials chemistry.
“The provision of green space and other amenities is crucial in creating a genuine sense of place and attracting people to live and work here. We look forward to supporting Morgan Sindall and the city council in their efforts to complete this next phase of work – taking us a step closer to realising the enormous potential of Paddington Village.”
Steven Gregory, North West Area Director at Morgan Sindall, said:
“The completion of this demolition marks a key milestone not just in the transformation of Paddington Village South, but in Liverpool’s wider ambition to become a powerhouse for innovation.
“As in our previous work at the Knowledge Quarter, we’ve taken a sustainability-first approach – maximising reuse and recycling throughout the process, and working with fantastic partners like ReciproCity to ensure surplus furniture went to local charities instead of landfill. This project is about building for the future – creating opportunities, driving social value, and leaving a legacy that benefits the community for generations to come.”
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