£35m of developer contributions used to upgrade Liverpool parks and playgrounds

The Finance and Resources Scrutiny Committee reported that £20.2 million of Section 106 contributions has been deployed on environmental upgrades across Liverpool, while a further £7.8 million is allocated for projects ready to start and £7.7 million is being prepared as additional funding.

Completed works span 27 parks and open-space sites. Along Great Homer Street, new trees and a play feature have been installed. Everton Park now benefits from a nature garden access improvement and upgraded infrastructure, and play areas at Everton Park, Everton Terrace, China Street Playground and the Roscommon multi-use games court have all been refreshed. Heritage enhancements include the final stage of the Mandela 8 Memorial and bridge access in Princes Park, complete with interpretation signage, and similar signage and improvements at Sefton Park and its Palm House.

Councillor Nick Small, Cabinet Member for Growth and Economy, stressed the council’s commitment to delivering tangible benefits from development funding to local communities. Deputy council leader Cllr Ruth Bennett added that the authority has worked hard to secure substantial contributions, enforce agreement terms and maintain a steady pipeline of projects that reflect residents’ priorities under the council’s social-value agenda.

To speed up future delivery, the council has recruited two additional project managers and set up a new operational team focused on parks and greenspaces. A new tendering approach that bundles six playground schemes at once is being trialled, which officials say improves efficiency. The authority is also tightening the recovery of outstanding Section 106 contributions, and in October 2026 the Cabinet will consider a revised process for assessing proposals, involving ward councillors and neighbourhood managers.