Liverpool is an ever evolving city, with new and exciting buildings constantly springing up. It seems that the momentum that the city currently possesses when it comes to new architectural additions has no signs of stopping, especially now that developers in Liverpool are being offered free design reviews for their projects up until March 2019.
This fantastic scheme, which has been set up by Steve Rotheram, the Liverpool City Region Metro Mayor, is designed as part of his ‘drive to champion high-quality design across the region.’ As a former bricklayer himself, Rotheram’s passion for development is a huge asset to the city and portrays the city’s commitment to continually better itself. Rotheram states how ‘the design of the places we live, work and spend our leisure time plays a key role in our wellbeing, health and happiness’ and so it is important to invest time, attention and financial support into encouraging excellence within this particular area.
The initiative, which will be delivered by Places Matter alongside the support of RIBA, is being used with a focus on ‘design in housing growth and key economic assets.’ This means great things for those working in property and architecture in Liverpool as it is set to further boost the projects taking place and therefore fuel a vast amount of opportunities.
Design reviews can usually be a very pricey part of any project, with Places Matter stating how applicants can usually expect to pay up to a massive £3450 for a review plus VAT. Instead, up until next year this fee will be paid for by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government through the Planning Delivery Fund which was awarded to Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.
The applicants put forward to access free design reviews will be assessed by an established panel of 60 industry experts put together by Places Matter. Any developers or local authorities with suitable projects within the six Liverpool City Regions can apply meaning it is a completely open opportunity for all. Rotheram urges how he ‘would encourage developers and our colleagues in local authorities to take advantage of the free expertise available through Places Matter’s panel of industry experts’, with Richard Tracey, Places Matter’s Design Review Manager adding how ‘this is a tremendous opportunity for developers to bring forward schemes’ and gain knowledge and expertise ‘at no cost.’ Tracey also commented how ‘the scale of the initiative allows us to look at a wide variety of projects, from whole new settlements and master plans, down to individual city centre development plots’ and those involved in architecture and property within the city have already openly voiced their support for the new initiative.
This also marks a momentous change in policy regarding building and property nationwide as Paul Finch, former chair of the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment, points out how ‘the principle of public interest design reviews, funded by the public purse, were part and parcel of the government policy and offered in a comprehensive way by CABE from 1999 until its abolition by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport in 2011.’ Finch states how ‘this announcement is evidence that sensible second thoughts are taking place’ and hopefully this initiative will be extending countrywide in the future to promote further developments and opportunities in the architecture and property world.
Overall this is an excellent initiative for Liverpool and the city’s future prospects. It will continue to attract investment, high quality design and exciting and innovative projects, and for those working in architecture and property Liverpool may be the next UK hotspot to set your sights on.