NHS University Hospitals of Liverpool Group aims to put nature and connectivity at the centre of a major new development, which will transform the patient experience at the new Royal Liverpool University Hospital. Plans for the garden space will be submitted to Liverpool City Council Planning Department for consideration in December 2025.
Working with major construction firm BAM UK & Ireland as part of an exclusive collaboration with the Eden Project, designs are being developed which will transform an area of the now demolished old Royal Liverpool University Hospital site into a space which promotes wellbeing and nature at the heart of the city. As well as providing safe routes for pedestrians and cyclists, the new scheme will be designed to offer a quiet space for relaxation and reflection within a nature-diverse environment that complements the estates ambitious Biodiversity Plan.
Part of the plan includes a landscaping design that predominantly uses native species, which encourage pollinators and support long-term ecological viability. The design will also feature signage to inspire staff and patients to appreciate and enjoy the wellbeing benefits of being immersed in nature.
The design of the new garden space marks the first project to be delivered as part of a new collaboration between BAM UK & Ireland and the Eden Project, an educational charity that demonstrates and inspires positive action for the planet and is home to the world-famous Biomes in Cornwall. Alongside BAM UK & Ireland, who is engaged in a pre-construction contract, and its design consultants, Ellis Williams Architects, BCA Landscape, Sutcliffe and Hoare Lea, the Eden Project will support on soft landscape design, zoning, plant species and ongoing maintenance, helping patients and the public to fully enjoy the space.
The scheme design phase has been funded by the New Hospital Programme and represents the starting point for a site Masterplan, which is being developed by NHS University Hospitals of Liverpool Group and will see the demolished area transformed over the coming years into a modern urban healthcare campus. The project promises to go beyond the 10% Biodiversity Net Gain legal compliance by embedding biophilic design that delivers benefits for both nature and people. An approach that supports the wider “Greener NHS” ambition to improve access to healthy green space and nature-supporting landscapes across the NHS estate.
James Sumner, Chief Executive of NHS University Hospitals of Liverpool Group, comments:
“We are pleased to be part of this fantastic partnership between BAM, the Eden Project, and the New Hospital Programme. This green space will be a valuable addition to the ongoing development of our hospital site and will be a huge benefit to our patients, visitors, staff, and the local environment.”
John Wilkinson COO at BAM UK and Ireland, comments:
“We’re delighted to have been appointed by NHS University Hospitals of Liverpool Group to take forward this inspiring project, which will be a catalyst for renewal and positive change for patients, staff and the people of Liverpool. We’re particularly pleased that this will be the first project that we’ve develop alongside the Eden Project who we will be working with right across the UK and Ireland to inspire new thinking and tackle nature loss across the built environment.”
Dan James, Development Director at Eden Project, comments:
“At the heart of this project is a desire to improve wellbeing by connecting people to nature and one another and that is fundamental to what we do as an organisation. I can’t think of a better project with which to kick-start our relationship with BAM and I look forward to seeing the benefits that will bring as the designs develop. “
