HIGH PARK STREET RESERVOIR

Its structure

The Reservoir structure, built in the 1850’s, is a significant local landmark within the Dingle area, but it is only recently it has been recognised as having development potential. The work on its structure, the events and activities, which have been promoted within it, have raised the profile of High Park Street reservoir. The physical potential of the grade-II-listed building lies in its secure presence, its connection to other community activities and its character. The internal features of brickwork arches and cast iron columns create an atmosphere, which must be enhanced, by areas of natural light to make the listed building usable throughout the day and give some relief to its enclosed nature.

Cleaning of the interiors has revealed workmanship of a very high standard, both in the quality of brickwork and stonework and in the cast iron structures, including columns and functioning mechanical elements. The column spacing of approximately 4.0 metres prohibits large open areas without thinning out the columns. The thematic connection of the Reservoir to clean water and public health history should be developed. An environmental conscious design approach will assist sustainability of the project. In the context of the City Events, the proposals for the re-use of the Reservoir, if financially pump primed by sponsorship from United Utilities as the former owner of the structure, could include the maintenance of the historical and heritage links to the past. Current, and developing green sustainable technologies of the future around water conservation could be linked to the history of the provision of clean drinking water to the urban population. 

Film studio

High Park Street reservoir has been converted into a film studio at the moment. The film “Florence Nightingale”  was shot in the reservoir on the behalf of BBC . We hope to welcome more music production companies in the future.

Public uses

The current grid would be suitable for a variety of uses such as small businesses, workshops, IT training and offices. The restrictions of the structural grid could be overcome with careful design, as the quality of the building will be its attraction for more public uses. Public uses such as local history exhibitions, visitor centre, conferences, markets, indoor play and a variety of functions would be possible and preserve the grade-II-listed building with minimum subdivision. The mix of more open uses towards High Park Street with a more cellular division further into the grade-II-listed building would give a variety of spaces for development, possibly around an internal court yard or focal point. The structure needs to draw people into it.

The proposals of Liverpool’s Housing Market Renewal Initiative (HMRI) and their impact have to be considered. The HMRI aims to widen housing choice, address local imbalance, within areas like the Dingle, to provide more private sector housing options to meet local needs and to stem the outward migration of those with skill and income. Development of high quality residential uses and/or commercial uses in a new structure above the Reservoir could be a bolder approach and become the catalyst to stimulate the re-use of the Reservoir. The extent to which the residential use and mixed commercial activities inside and above the Reservoir are integrated, would need careful consideration. A housing component to the project would reinforce the links with HMRI and the local social housing provider (Include). The potential of niche office space in this location would assist in promoting the employment profile of the Dingle. Planning gain from this initiative could be used to match fund the re-use of the original Reservoir structure, and thus to draw down a package of European and UK funded regeneration grants.

Tourism

The attraction of tourists is crucial for the economic regeneration of the Dingle area. Views from the roof across the City’s landscape are spectacular. The Mersey can be traced from its mouth at New Brighton around to Runcorn. The Welsh Mountains are visible beyond the Wirral Peninsular.