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Liverpool moves in for Nirah project


Bedfordshire may lose the Nirah project to Liverpool.
Bedfordshire on Sunday can reveal that secret talks have been held between the board of the proposed freshwater science park and Liverpool Land Development Company.

This is because Nirah is frustrated by the lack of progress for the project and what it sees as obstruction by Bedfordshire County Council.

Originally Nirah was looking at four possible sites for its Eden-style park of three freshwater aquariums, which would house fish, amphibians and reptiles from across the world. These would be studied, using noninvasive methods to see if they could further research into human diseases. 

The two fancied sites were Liverpool and South Wales but Mayor Branston invited the Nirah directors to Bedfordshire and they were persuaded the clay pits near Stewartby would be the best location. Now, with the project stalled, it is understood Liverpool has inquired if Nirah may want to look at that city again and negotiations have reopened.

It Nirah is tempted to Liverpool, Bedfordshire will lose the opportunity of a £400million science, education and tourist centre, which is likely to deter both private and public investment in the future.

If Nirah does move to Liverpool, everyone who has donated cash will be refunded.A complaint by Nadine Dorries, MP, to Bedfordshire police over whether raising money in this way was lawful has been dismissed.

Frank Branston, Mayor of Bedford Borough, said: “It will be a tragedy for Bedfordshire if Nirah goes to Liverpool but in view of the appalling treatment it has had here I am not surprised if it has looked elsewhere.

“After initially being entirely pro-Nirah, the county council has done everything it can to scupper the project. The original deal by which Nirah chose Bedfordshire was that EEDA and the county would each loan £2 million at commercial rates to enable Nirah to prepare its business plan, put in a planning application and prepare the way for full fund-raising from the private sector. EEDA has paid its share but the county has been weaselling all this year.

“One Nirah executive has told me that while they would prefer to build the project in Bedfordshire, at least if they went to Liverpool they would no longer have to deal with the county council.

“Given Nirah's financial position it would be a dereliction of its duty if it rejected an alternative out of hand.

“Nirah and Liverpool are due to meet again in mid-September. So we have got until then to decide whether we would prefer a derelict brickpit to Nirah.

“I hope the people of Bedfordshire feel the same anger and determination that this should not happen as I do.” 

A Nirah spokesman said: “We cannot discuss confidential negotiations which are going on at the moment.” 

A Liverpool Land Development Company spokesman said: “We have no comment to make at the moment.” 
Councillor John Scott, cabinet member for economic growth, said: “We believe that Bedfordshire remains the best location for the project, which is why Nirah chose the county in the first place.

“We are aware of the progress of Nirah's fundraising, but clearly if discussions have been taking place with Liverpool or anywhere else this does bring into question the seriousness of that fundraising campaign and Nirah's commitment to Bedfordshire.

“To put it mildly it does not reflect well on Nirah to be fundraising here and at the same time to be talking to other locations.” 

Nadine Dorries, MP for Mid Bedfordshire, said: “It seems regrettable that while Nirah is busy with their begging bowl they are talking about relocating to Liverpool. Nirah has taken millions of pounds from the taxpayer via the county council and EEDA; if Nirah relocates to Liverpool will the Bedfordshire taxpayers get their money back? Will Liverpool fund Nirah in light of our experience here? If Nirah is genuinely committed to Bedfordshire, it will make it happen, if not, then I am sure the excuses and hot air will start flowing.”