Observatory will be a real star attraction

Dec 19 2007 by Vicky Anderson, Liverpool Daily Post

A dramatic new attraction may soon be coming to the Merseyside coast, as Vicky Anderson reports

THE radical regeneration of the Sefton coastline is a step closer to becoming reality following the unveiling of a shortlist of designs for the new Mersey Observatory.

Nearly 100 architects from all over the world put forward plans for the observatory which will replace the existing radar tower, no longer in use.

Now a multi-agency group behind the £11.7m project hopes that alongside Antony Gormley’s Iron Men and a proposed water sports centre, the future of Crosby waterfront has enough to attract visitors for complete day trips and significantly boost the economy.

A total of 92 competition entries from as far afield as New York, Finland, Spain and China as well as the UK and Ireland have now been whittled down to just five British firms, including one from Runcorn.

Further detailing of the plans will now take place and the public will be able to have their say before the final decision is made in March next year.

The radar tower now standing is 22m in height – with the brief for the new observatory stipulating that it must measure at least 30m for even more impressive views.

Each plan contains a viewing platform for around 200 people, a cafe and educational facilities.

Panel judge and chair of Waterloo Residents Association Ian Hamilton Fazey said it was important the shortlisted designs were unlike anything else in the world.

He said: “We were always very keen not to have any structure that just looked like something else, like the Seattle Space Needle or Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth.

“Merseyside is unique and we wanted it to be a unique symbol.

“There are five quite different designs, and they are at the concept stage now so not necessarily looking how they are going to be.

“We need a building that will attract paying visitors – the plan we have suggested is for 250,000 people. Everybody will be able to get a free view from the ground, but the unique aspect will be the view from the elevated position, which will be spectacular.

“It will also be a very important link into Waterloo and will bring a lot of trade into South Road.

“It is a chance to bring something interesting and different to the area and there’s a big economic case for it.”

A new ferry stage to bring in passenger vessels from Wirral and the Pier Head is being considered by Merseytravel as part of the overall redevelopment of the area.

A SPOKESPERSON said: “We're happy to explore this further and would look seriously at any genuine opportunity to expand other ports of call for the Mersey Ferries. We are happy to consider operating ferries to a new location if there is a good enough business case.”

The current radar tower, built in the 1960s and now a health risk because of asbestos, is obsolete and could be demolished by the summer.

Louise Goodman, project manager for the Mersey Observatory, said: “We are optimistically working at the building being open in 2011.

“The five designs have each responded to the brief in quite different ways. Here there is natural space on one side, but also urban and industrial space and it is about finding that balance.

“This is where the city meets the sea, and where industry meets nature, and that’s what makes it a very special place.

“There will be three things to do here that will mean people will be able to spend all day here – including the unique experience of that 360° panoramic view taking in all that is great about this city.”

The five shortlisted firms, including Ellis Williams of Runcorn, Duggan Morris, Phos, and Studio 8, all of London, and Farnell and Clark of Leeds, will now all receive a £6,000 honorarium and time to develop their plans further.

Comments regarding the shortlisted designs can be emailed to observatory@merseybasin.org.uk. They will be passed on to the judging panel and taken into consideration when selecting the winning design.

There will also be a month-long exhibition of the designs in February.

Tim Bownes, chief engineer of the Mersey Dock and Harbour Company, said: “One of these excellent concepts will create a facility that will give local residents and visitors from further afield a fresh, exciting view of the River Mersey and its place in the community and the wider region.”

A £7.6m Olympic-standard water sports centre is set to open on the waterfront in December 2008.

ANTONY Gormley’s Another Place, 100 life-sized iron men, came to Merseyside in July 2005 for a temporary stay which became permanent after a campaign, backed by the Liverpool Daily Post and the artist.

The Mersey Observatory project is supported by Sefton Council, the Mersey Basin Campaign, Mersey Waterfront, Peel Ports, the North West Development Agency and Liverpool Biennial.

vickyanderson