Liverpool sets out long-term vision for Pumpfields & Limekilns

Liverpool City Council is set to publish a long-term framework to guide regeneration across the Pumpfields & Limekilns neighbourhood, one of the city centre’s most strategically significant growth areas.

The Pumpfields & Limekilns Supplementary Planning Document (SPD), due to be considered at Cabinet on 24th February 2026, establishes a clear planning framework to support future development across the 75-acre area.

A note from the Council’s strategic plan says: “The draft Pumpfields & Limekilns SPD sets out a transformative vision for the regeneration of a strategically located area at the northern edge of Liverpool city centre. It proposes the creation of a sustainable, inclusive, residential-led mixed-use neighbourhood, delivering over 7,000 new homes alongside enhanced public realm,

active travel infrastructure, and improved connectivity.”

Last year, the Council commissioned a specialist placemaking team led by Levitt Bernstein, working alongside Montagu Evans, Arup and Turner Works, to shape a comprehensive vision for the area. The team engaged local stakeholders and developed a delivery-focused masterplan designed to revitalise Pumpfields & Limekilns, reconnect it with the wider city centre and identify opportunities for homes, public realm and long-term investment.

The draft SPD reinforces the Council’s commitment to inclusive economic growth while safeguarding the area’s industrial heritage and strengthening its role as a gateway to the city centre.

The emerging plan sets out a series of development priorities, including improving the quality and diversity of housing with a focus on affordability and sustainability, supporting new employment space and investment in innovation and creative sectors, and enhancing public realm, active travel routes and open space provision. It also highlights the importance of improving connectivity to the wider city centre and waterfront, while ensuring environmentally responsible development aligned with the city’s energy efficiency ambitions.

The masterplan envisages a residential-led mixed-use neighbourhood delivering more than 7,000 new homes across six distinctive character areas. Supporting infrastructure would include active travel networks, health and leisure facilities, and enhanced green space to create a sustainable and inclusive urban environment.

Pumpfields & Limekilns falls within the proposed Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC), a statutory regeneration body intended to accelerate development and play a key role in Liverpool’s broader regeneration strategy.

The draft document will now enter a period of public consultation, inviting feedback from residents, businesses, developers and community stakeholders. Subject to consultation outcomes, the finalised SPD is expected to return to Cabinet later in 2026 for formal adoption.

Councillor Nick Small, Cabinet Member for Growth and Economy, described the draft masterplan as transformative, highlighting its potential to shape future planning decisions and drive forward investment and delivery at pace.