Industry consultancy Ramboll has been appointed to lead the development of a new cruise terminal facility on the River Mersey.

The company will spearhead the design team to take forward the proposed £50 million scheme. The team includes architects Stride Treglown, cost managers Gardiner & Theobald, global planning and property consultants JLL, and landscape architects Hyland Edgar Driver.

Plans for the scheme at the former Princes Jetty, off Princes Parade, include developing a new 200-room hotel along with a 1,100+ multi-storey car park, which will improve the city's capabilities in handling the next generation of turnaround cruises.

Other proposals include creating a new passenger and baggage facility complete with passport control, lounge, café, toilets, taxi rank and vehicle pick up point.

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Subject to relevant approvals, the Ramboll team would project manage and assist with ongoing monitoring of construction of the new facility, as well as assisting with contractor procurement. A formal planning application is expected to be submitted later this year.

Dave Grove, Project Director, Ramboll, said: "The whole design team is extremely proud to have secured the position of Technical Advisors, and look forward to supporting Liverpool City Council in this exciting endeavour. The cruise ship terminal project is one of vital importance to the City, and will secure the future of this new cornerstone in Liverpool's economy. Having personally worked in the quayside area throughout my 20 year career at Ramboll, I am confident that we can deliver a design that will meet the highest standards and needs of all who will use the facility."

Mayor of Liverpool, Joe Anderson, said: "Liverpool needs a new cruise facility so that we can provide the next generation of super liners and passengers with a world class welcome and a five star experience. Appointing Ramboll to lead this very experienced technical team is a key step in ensuring we develop a facility to the highest standards. A new cruise facility would also be a huge boost to our plans to regenerate the North Liverpool docklands and create thousands of new jobs."

An outline business case for a £20m contribution towards the facility will now be submitted from the Liverpool Combined Authority's Strategic Investment Fund (SIF). If successful, the project will then progress to full business case stage.

(LM)