The Isle of Man Government has completed negotiations with Peel Land and Property Limited for the long-term leasehold ownership of a site at Princess Half Tide Dock in Liverpool for the development of a new ferry terminal.



The decision to acquire the land was made in July 2016 after it was revealed the existing Pier Head facility would undergo major redevelopment as a cruise liner berth.

The new terminal is scheduled to open in 2021.

The site lies just 800 metres downriver of the existing facility, which will be taken out of use once the new Isle of Man Ferry Terminal is ready, and will benefit from improved highway access being provided in partnership with Liverpool City Council as part of its major City Centre Connectivity project which is currently under construction.

The access road to the Isle of Man Ferry Terminal is one of many important developments in the area that make up the Liverpool Waters regeneration scheme.

Substantial areas of former dock yard and industrial land are being redeveloped to create a vibrant area providing for a range of uses, including culture, leisure, sport, tourism, retail and residential.

The £5 billion project located on Liverpool’s Waterfront will see the creation of five dynamic new neighbourhoods across a 60-hectare site, generating a word-class, mixed use development in central Liverpool.

The acquired land includes historic dockyard features that will be integrated into the final design. A planning application will soon be submitted to Liverpool City Council to seek detailed approval for the scheme.

Once completed, the new terminal will provide a massive improvement for travellers with modern facilities for all types of users.

A linkspan will be designed to handle loads of up to 120 tonnes as the agreement with the Peel Group allows the site to be used for freight during winter weekends and emergencies. Importantly, the site will be able to handle bus, coach and light commercial traffic all year.

While a number of these issues will be subject to planning approvals, the site benefits from an existing outline approval for similar use.

The Isle of Man’s Minister for Infrastructure, Ray Harmer MHK, said: “Establishing the Island’s own ferry terminal in Liverpool is vital for providing security for our social and economic wellbeing, and the need to secure such a strategically important asset was acknowledged in the Programme for Government.

‘The proposed terminal will provide significant improvements for those using ferry services and will also be used to host events that will boost our reputation with businesses and potential visitors across the North West of England.

“I very much look forward to our development being a key part of the exciting Liverpool Waters scheme and am pleased that with the purchase of this site the Isle of Man Government now has complete control over its lifeline sea links to the United Kingdom.”

Ian Pollitt, assistant development director at Liverpool Waters, said: “We’re pleased to say that following many years of careful planning and working closely with Liverpool City Council and the Isle of Man Government, Liverpool Waters has agreed a long leasehold sale of three acres of waterfront land at Princes Half Tide, which will house the brand-new Isle of Man Ferry Terminal.

“As well as this, £20 million-worth of funding has been secured by Liverpool City Council and the Combined Authority to make improvements to the roads surrounding the terminal, which will allow access to passengers and visitors.

‘This news follows the announcement of the development of the city council’s new cruise liner terminal, which will be located at Princes Dock. Both developments form part of the wider Liverpool Waters project.

‘The project is evolving at an ever-increasing rate and we’re looking forward to seeing the Isle of Man Ferry Terminal take shape.”

Joe Anderson, Mayor of Liverpool, said: ‘The new Isle of Man Terminal is a critical piece in our regeneration plans for the north shore of Liverpool and I’m delighted that this deal has been struck between the Isle of Man Government and Peel to progress the scheme.

‘The city council is investing a huge amount of money in the transport infrastructure to support this new facility and we look forward to its completion.

‘The Isle of Man and Liverpool have a historic relationship and this new ferry terminal will cement our strong links and forge even closer ties into the future.”