Millennium delay - Liverpool's National Discovery Park project will not complete until 2001

Exclusive by Michael Gordon



Work began last week on Liverpool's £125 million flagship millennium scheme, the National Discovery Park, but wrangles with the Millennium Commission mean the project will not be completed before Spring 2001.

Alistair McDonald, project co-ordinator for Liverpool City Council, said: "Originally it was scheduled for 2000, but last year we had a major blip with the Millennium Commission. The major issue was the configuration of the development - the commission did not like the design and was unwilling to fund it."

The project is jointly funded by Rosemary Chavasse, the Millennium Commission, Objective 1, English Partnerships, Liverpool City Council and Morrison Developments.

Wrangles with the Commission delayed the project by at least 11 months, as the designers had to return to the drawing board to bring the plans in line with the Commission's requirements.

A commission spokesperson said it was not the intention that all projects must be completed by the millennium, stating that many will be completed towards the end of 2001: "The applicant made a bid for funds, we initially liked the concept and the idea behind it so a grant was awarded in principle in February 1997.

"This is a unique project linking three components: the Discovery Park; leisure and retail centre; and a media centre.

"When these come together we have to ensure that public money is being used for a public purpose, and so must ensure that the business element was not dominating."

Demolition contractor Sloyan Doyle started clearing the site last week under a £950,000, 45-week contract. The construction phase will go to tender, subject to approvals, early next year. McDonald said: "The Millennium Commission approval is still outstanding, we have the grant in principle, but it is not confirmed. We are also awaiting approval from English Partnerships, expected some time in November, but we are confident.

"The construction phase will begin next Spring, for completion in Spring 2001. In an ideal world we would like it earlier, in time for the millennium."