Romal Capital has called for “careful scrutiny” of how £55 million of public money allocated for infrastructure is accounted for in future plot sales at Peel’s Central Docks.

The company, which has brought forward the first schemes at Central Docks, says site sales to future developers must be monitored to ensure the disbursement of the publicly-funded cost of connections to utilities follows the principle of “fairness and proportionality”. It says its concerns follow its own experience of accessing power on the site.

Greg Malouf, managing director at said Romal Capital, says: “It’s very encouraging that Homes England is to provide this shot in the arm for Central Docks.

“We have delivered two high quality apartment blocks and are on site with the first of our next three, and we’re extremely keen to see the overall development move forward at pace.”

“Our own experience of bringing utilities into the site informs our caution. Peel sought to charge us £695,000 to bring power to our next two blocks, which we felt was an unfair apportionment of the costs they would face. We spoke with Scottish Power, and they were able to give us access to the same quantity of power for £11,000.

“We’ve asked Peel for a breakdown of their costs, but none has been forthcoming. That’s quite a difference and I worry that maintaining such a stance will deter other developers from moving forward on Central Docks. That would be a pity, particularly given the public money at play.

“I’m therefore asking government to provide reassurance on how they will monitor the deployment of the money and what controls will be in place to avoid such a scenario being repeated on future plot sales. I can certainly understand why the scheme is in the new chancellor’s sights.”

Greg says that among his frustrations is that public realm on Jesse Hartley Way is now having to be dug up to facilitate ducting for his West Waterloo Quay scheme, at a cost of £187,000.

“This public realm was also funded for by the taxpayer, and it’s frustrating that we have not been able to utilise existing ducting.

“Our network contractor is doing a cracking job and I know they’ll do their best to reinstate the paving as-was, but needless expense like this is just the sort of thing that puts developers off. The slow progress on Central Docks is a concern.”

Local councillor Dave Hanratty (Lab), who represents Waterfront North ward, says he will “make it his mission” to ensure that the public gets value for money from its investment.

He adds: “The public has a right to expect that taxpayers’ money will be used efficiently and fairly. Value for money must be our byword and I will make it my mission to ensure that any public investment in infrastructure at Central Docks achieves its aim of bringing forward much-needed new housing and public open spaces without delay.”

A Peel Waters spokesperson said: “We do not comment on commercially confidential agreements with our partners and suppliers. We are totally transparent with our public sector partners regarding how funds are invested, and the allocation of resources is closely monitored.

“Over many years Peel Waters have made substantial investments in essential infrastructure to provide serviced plots for our partner developers.

“Some of these costs are recovered from developers that wish to use that infrastructure and electrical capacity. There are no charges that relate to publicly installed or owned infrastructure. Developers are free to work with other suppliers to deliver infrastructure at their own cost.”

Related posts:

First Central Docks apartments recommended for approval Decision due on outline plans for homes near Tobacco Wharf Plan to save Liverpool’s World Heritage status revealed Developer ‘incredibly disappointed’ by plan to refuse permission for Liverpool Waters apartment scheme Liverpool’s Central Docks to receive £55m investment boost from Homes England T.J. Morris partners with Beetham to deliver ‘stunning mixed-use development’ in Liverpool