PLANS for a multi-million pound Maritime Knowledge Hub forming part of Wirral Waters dockside regeneration have been approved by councillors. 

The £25m development, described as a 'world class maritime centre of excellence, focused on innovation, engineering, R&D, entrepreneurship and training' at the heart of Peel L&P’s Wirral Waters, was given the green light yesterday.

The announcement was made today (March 14) at MIPIM, the international property event in Cannes, France, by Richard Mawdsley, Peel L&P's director of development for Wirral Waters.

The Maritime Knowledge Hub will be a high-level industrial and maritime facility, supporting the region’s £5bn maritime ecosystem where research and innovation will focus on making the most of the incredible opportunities that decarbonisation of the global $3trillion maritime sector brings.

The Hub, designed by Ellis Williams Architects, will include business accelerator space and conference facilities for both the marine sector and the local business community.

Set within the existing 19th century Hydraulic Tower building and Engine House, originally designed by Jesse Hartley's son, John Bernard Hartley, as a copy of the Palazzo Vecchio in Florence, the Maritime Knowledge Hub project will breathe new life into the building.

The architects and design team worked to maximise the sustainability of the project whilst retaining as much of the building’s original character as possible, complementing the iconic tower with the creation of a new 4 storey extension to accommodate some of the country’s most famous and innovative maritime organisations.

The facility will be industry led and will drive research and innovation by bringing education, businesses and Government together within the maritime sector. 

The world leading research and innovation within the Maritime Knowledge Hub will have a particular focus on the decarbonisation of the maritime industry as well as technology transfer from other industries. It will also bring education, employers and businesses together to drive innovation and research within the marine and maritime sectors.

Project partners include Peel L&P, Mersey Maritime, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and Wirral Council, alongside a number of industry partners. It is hoped that the project will be on site in 2023.

Maritime Minister, Baroness Vere, said: "Decarbonisation is challenging, but it also presents huge opportunities for UK maritime.

"That's why we've allocated over £206 million for research and projects across the country, targeting everything from the earliest phases of research right through to the commercial level.

"The Maritime Knowledge Hub will be a crucial centre for collaboration, providing a huge boost for the Liverpool City Region, creating a new architectural landmark in Wirral, and supporting jobs and education. The hub demonstrates the huge potential of our maritime regions as engines of growth, and the ability of these clusters to galvanise action.”

Richard Mawdsley, director of development for Wirral Waters at Peel L&P, said: "The Maritime Knowledge Hub is a really special project for so many reasons.

"It will continue the Wirral’s proud maritime heritage; create new jobs and economic growth for the Liverpool City Region; and it will also, through research and innovation, help the Wirral to be at the forefront of the creation of a decarbonised global maritime industry that is fit for a more sustainable and green future."

Chris Shirling-Rooke, chief executive of Mersey Maritime, said: "Right from its inception, Mersey Maritime has been a passionate and determined supporter of the new Maritime Knowledge Hub project. We are delighted that a significant milestone in its evolution, confirmation of planning approval, has now been secured as this will be a decisive step on the journey to turn this concept into tangible bricks and mortar reality."

Cllr Tony Jones, chair of Wirral Council's economy, regeneration and housing committee, said: "I'm really pleased to see this project moving forward. The maritime sector is vitally important to this region and the Maritime Knowledge Hub will play a crucial role in helping us supply the maritime specialists of the future, while also cementing our place at the forefront of this industry."