Plans to build 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, have been approved by Wirral Council.

The announcement was made today (14 March) 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 £5 billion maritime ecosystem where research and innovation will focus on making the most of the opportunities that decarbonisation of the global $3 trillion maritime sector brings.

The hub will also include business accelerator space and conference facilities for both the marine sector and the local business community.

Set within the existing 19^th 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.

Ellis Williams Architects and a 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 four-storey extension to accommodate some of the country’s most famous and innovative maritime organisations.

The 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.

Wirral Council granted planning permission yesterday after the application was submitted in May 2022.  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.

Baroness Vere, maritime minister, says: “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, adds: “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.

“Securing planning permission is a major step forward towards the delivery of the project and will galvanise progress with occupiers and our funding partners.”

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