The Peel Group-led consortium behind the £5 billion Liverpool Waters development unveiled the first glimpse of the new Central Docks neighbourhood at the MIPIM property conference in Cannes — and released eight new plots in the scheme for investor development.

The Central Docks neighbourhood will bring life back to the former docklands site which has sat dormant for many years.

The Liverpool Waters project will transform 150 acres of docklands in the biggest single regeneration project in the history of Liverpool.

The Central Docks neighbourhood will be a business and leisure district with more than 2 million sq ft of mixed use floorspace including 750,000 sq ft of office space and more than 1,000 new waterfront apartments in buildings up to 44 storeys high.

Liverpool Waters director of development Lindsey Ashworth said: “Liverpool Waters is a unique opportunity to invest in a world-famous waterfront and it’s no surprise that this latest phase of the project has already generated interest from investors and developers.

“Our ambition has always been to create a waterfront for the world, a sustainable environment with stunning views where people and businesses can flourish together.

“Unveiling this southern part of the Central Docks neighbourhood marks the next chapter in the Liverpool Waters story and brings us one step closer to re-establishing Liverpool’s waterfront as a gateway to the world.”

The team at Liverpool Waters is expecting to see £300 million of construction work starting on site by the end of this year.

Ian Pollitt, assistant project director at Liverpool Waters, said: “Central Docks represents a watershed moment for Liverpool Waters.

“There has been an incredible amount of work done behind the scenes to get us to this point but thanks to the positive attitude of the people of Liverpool, Liverpool City Council and other partners we are now in a position to proceed with this next exciting phase of the project.

“It is great to see so many of the region’s leading developers and city leaders joining us at MIPIM to showcase the opportunities on offer at Liverpool Waters and is testament to our shared commitment to re-establishing Liverpool as a global city.

“Liverpool Waters will not only transform the docklands and restore them to their former glory, it will leave a legacy of jobs and skills that will benefit the Liverpool City Region for generations to come.”