Sefton Council has expressed its support for an outline planning application for a £22m mixed-use scheme on 8ha (19.8 acres) of the seafront in Southport, Merseyside.
The consortium putting forward the 17,094 sq m (184,000 sq ft) proposal includes Taylor Woodrow, United Realty, Crowngate and Hambros Bank.
The scheme will be built on land reclaimed from the former bathing lake to the south of the pier. The remainder of the site consists of the former Happiland site and land ajoining the Marine lake.
Facilities proposed for the complex comprise:
- 4,645 sqm (50,000 sq ft) retail
- 2,787 sq m (30,000 sq ft) family entertainment centre
- 2,323 sq m (25,000 sq ft) multiplex cinmema
- 2,787 sq m (30,000 sq ft) bingo hall
- 1,858 sq m (20,000 sq ft) casino
- 1,394 sq m (15,000 sq ft) restaurants
- 929 sq m (10,000 sq ft) pub/restaurant
- 60 bedroom hotel
Other facilities include a swimming complex and parking for 1,060 cars.
Financial backing for the scheme is heavily dependent on grant aid. The council and the consortium are meeting representatives from the Government Office for Merseyside, English Partnerships and the National Sports Lottery shortly. A decision on lottery funding for the pier has yet to be taken.
EGi News 27/08/96
