Festival Gardens homes plan revealed in new image

A computer generated image shows what the planned development on Liverpool's waterfront would look like

A glimpse of what a planned housing development at a landmark site on Liverpool's waterfront could look like has been released.

The computer-generated image shows hundreds of new homes on the site of the 1984 International Garden Festival.

Plans to build houses on the site - one of England's biggest brownfield plots - have been in the pipeline for nearly two decades but so far all have failed to materialise.

Liverpool City Region mayor Steve Rotheram said: "Festival Gardens has the potential to be one of the most exciting and transformational brownfield developments in the country - and I'm delighted to see it moving forward."

Opposition leaders have previously raised concerns that a lack of infrastructure in the area needed to be addressed before homes could be built on the site.

Liverpool City Council leader Liam Robinson said: "The team of developers we're looking to work with have a fabulous track record in delivering outstanding, innovative and sustainable projects of the highest order."

He said further details would be shared over the coming months, with residents invited to give feedback ahead of a planning application for the first phase of 440 homes being submitted in late 2026.

The council said this would include 80 "extra care" homes for supported living and 110 affordable homes.

The Yellow Submarine exhibit now based at Liverpool John Lennon Airport was displayed in the gardens in 1984

A report going to the council's cabinet next week recommends the appointment of Urban Splash and igloo Regeneration.

If approved, building would begin in spring 2027, with phases two and three to follow, eventually providing up to 800 homes in total.

Previously, council housing spokesperson Nick Small said plans for a new school were being looked at as part of the proposed development.