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Liverpool's 'Welsh Streets' scheme called in by Pickles

Plans for a £15m regeneration project in Liverpool, dubbed ‘The Welsh Streets’ scheme, has been called in for a public inquiry.

The decision has been announced by Secretary of State for the Department for Communities and Local Government, Eric Pickles – much to the frustration of the Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson.

The City Council’s planning committee on 23 July had approved plans for a £15m regeneration scheme in Toxteth which would have seen 150 new high-quality homes built, the refurbishment of 37 terraced properties and the demolition of 280 homes.

Mayor Anderson said: “These proposals were drawn up after extensive consultation with residents. It is residents that have been badly let down by this decision.

“This is hugely frustrating and bitterly disappointing for the local community. Residents have faced more than 10 years of uncertainty and delay, and made clear in no uncertain terms that they backed what has been put forward.

“We’ve been forced into this and so it must take place as quickly as possible. The uncertainty that this community have faced for far too long shouldn’t be prolonged for a moment longer than it needs to be.

“I am personally fed up with government interference like this, which has now delayed local people having the good quality homes they deserve. All this community wants is certainty and the government has slapped them in the face with this decision.

“I am absolutely incensed that Mr Pickles, who supposedly champions localism, has ignored the overwhelming views of local people, and called this in, particularly when his own department has allocated funds towards the project.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Simon Malia .