Engage held a unique event on 29.01.2026 at Nuffield Health on Riverside Drive about the proposed Festival Gardens development to give residents of the local area an opportunity to express their views about the kind of project they would like to see evolve. This was an attempt to explore a co-production process involving local people affected by the proposals at an early stage. Judging by the spontaneous applause at the end of the meeting it was very well received.

Liverpool City Council had chosen a joint venture company, led by Urban Splash and igloo Regeneration to redevelop the site of the 1984 International Garden Festival that had undergone a two year remediation process. Over the course of the evening there was a great deal of confidence expressed from the floor in the reputations of both developers.

The meeting started by inviting residents to speak to one another and introduce themselves in small groups. This typical Engage activity set the tone for the whole evening. We then went on to explain the importance of involving residents and civic society in the design and planning of new neighbourhoods. Encouraged by the experience of a more inclusive process which we learned from the city of Bordeaux at the second seminar of our 2018 Seminar Series entitled ‘World Heritage Site: Cities of Inspiration’ we knew that a different approach to the early-stage involvement of residents was possible in the planning process.

From the outset it was obvious that residents were very passionate about the area to be developed and it was made clear that the meeting was not a place to protest or contest the decisions made so far; everyone was encouraged to be creative and proactive in their approach to the conversations planned for the evening. We wanted to hear everyone’s voice and notes were taken as well as a video being made of the whole event so that participants could have the confidence of knowing that their views would be passed on without filters to the developers.

Attendees were first asked to share their connections and memories of the site starting with the Garden Festival. People enthusiastically and generously reminisced about what the 1984 event meant for them and the city of Liverpool at the time. Among the things mentioned were an enhanced sense of community, great music and drama productions, it was very family focused, the beautiful gardens had a fascinating international cultural appeal, there was an abundance of green spaces and the whole site became a showcase for what Liverpool’s aspirational vision had delivered. One resident remembered that the Ferry used to dock here, another noted that indeed at the time it wasn’t a place that anyone lived in. But it is now.

Since the gardens at the site were never meant to be permanent, people moved on to share what they meant to them now. They described a place for wildlife, a playground for children and families, valuable green space, an informal park, a place for recreation on foot or by bike, a place for breathing in fresh air and getting out into the open, an asset for people’s health and wellbeing. The entire site is valued and appreciated by everyone who lives around it.

People then were asked to describe what it is like to live here in this neighbourhood right now and a lively discussion was held! But everyone agreed that it was a wonderful place to live, it was quiet and tranquil, though with a lot of green space around it was still very close to the city centre. Transport connections were a passionate concern of most people with issues around the lack of lights walking from St Michael’s station, to the unreliability of the 500 bus and its infrequency.

Residents commented about trouble accessing their roads and homes during public events at Otterspool and consequent anti-social behaviour and litter. Suggestions for improvements to the area included better control of collecting litter along Riverside Drive, additional pavements and cycling infrastructure, better traffic management systems to reduce the current and future high volume of cars and lorries, road safety especially at the main Festival Gardens site roundabout and more pedestrian crossings to open up access along the road into the entire site.

The third stage of the event focused completely on the new development and what people would like to see there. Some raised personal concerns about potential future residents and a consequent impact to the value to their properties. These comments didn’t go unchallenged. Others imagined a much-needed community centre, a nursery for the children of young families and a playground, health facilities were mentioned too, and possible cultural attractions. There were calls for mixed housing types but a clear reaction against tall apartment blocks which would be out of character with the area. Ecological and environmental concerns were brought up around provisions for flood defences and the impact of the proposed Mersey Tidal Barrage. Some wondered if the new development could consciously reference the international theme of the original Garden Festival and a recognition of site history and usages.

Members of the Friends of Festival Gardens group who had met the developers shared that Urban Splash and Igloo were mindful of all the points mentioned and reassured everyone that concerns raised would be addressed. Others suggested to look at other projects the developers had completed to better understand the vision and expertise they brought to the project.

Surprisingly the evening closed with a spontaneous round of applause and a sincere expression of gratitude for holding the event at this stage in the planning process. Engage expressed their belief that there would be a follow-up meeting with the developers to reflect upon residents’ input and how it would influence future plans. The Listening Event was clearly a significant contribution to a creative and engaging relationship with the local community.

To learn more about the history and legacy of the Festival Gardens site this link will be useful from the Museum of Liverpool website: International Garden Festival legacy

Analysis of the Residents Meeting Feedback Forms and Flipchart notes:

Festival Gardens Residents Meeting – Feedback Forms etc