Liverpool partnership’s 600-home plan set for approval

Hundreds of new homes to be built on brownfield land under the Liverpool Housing Partnership are set to be approved by the city council next week.

On Friday November 27, Liverpool City Council’s cabinet will consider a scheme that includes 360 affordable rent homes, 241 executive homes and 50 for private rent to be delivered by the council, housebuilder Redrow Homes, contractor Willmott Dixon and social housing provider Liverpool Mutual Homes (LMH).

The first stage of the programme, which forms part of a five-year plan to create 1,500 new homes and bring 1,000 more back into use, encompasses 25 hectares of brownfield land, 580 new builds and 71 refurbished properties.

Liverpool City Council’s cabinet member for housing, Cllr Frank Hont, said: “We badly need a greater range of properties in Liverpool to make sure we can accommodate people whatever their individual circumstances, whether it is people renting, first time buyers or growing families who want to stay in the city.

“The advantage to the partnership is that we are working closely together in a joined up way to make sure we are building the right houses in the right place at the right time to meet demand, as well as bringing empty properties back into use.”

He continued: “Where possible, and in the vast majority of cases, we are using land that was previously developed.

“We are absolutely clear that as well as creating new communities for people to live, the schemes must deliver benefits for the local economy, which is why there will be local apprenticeships created and the sub contract work going to local firms where possible.”

The partners on the scheme intend to use the services of local firms in a bid to maximise economic growth.

LMH chief exec Steve Coffey commented: “The four partners provide a range of complementary skills and this announcement is clear evidence we share the same ambition to deliver new, high quality, sustainable housing.

“Redeveloping brownfield sites and bringing empty homes back into use is vital to address housing demand.”

Two of the 17 schemes are on site, while eight are currently in planning and one is subject to master planning. A further six are still in the feasibility stage.

Redrow Homes’ development director, Faye Whiteoak, said: “We’re proud to be part of this unique partnership to deliver much needed, high quality new housing for the city.

“We will be providing a wide range of properties, from starter homes to executive detached family houses, designed to extend the city’s offering.”

She added: “As well as meeting housing demand, the developments will also stimulate the local economy and provide hundreds of jobs on site, in the supply chain and indirectly within other local business.”

The sites chosen and target completion dates are:

• Marwood Tower – 81 homes (August 2016)

• Former Larkhill Library – 8 homes (October 2016)

• Tetlow Street – 16 homes (November 2016)

• Everton Road – 10 homes (December 2016)

• Leighton Dene – 40 homes (January 2017)

• Former Watergate School – 21 homes (May 2017)

• Former Lower Lee School – 19 homes (June 2017)

• Former Central Tin Factory – 45 homes (September 2017)

• Normanton Avenue – 8 homes (December 2017)

• Acrefield Road – 12 homes (July 2018)

• Palmerstone – 26 homes (September 2018)

• Eldon Grove – 45 homes (December 2018)

• Former Holly Lodge – 60 homes (July 2019)

• Former Redbridge and Bankview – 60 homes (July 2019)

• Banks Road – 100 homes (September 2019)

• Edge Lane – 100 homes (December 2019)

• Land off Harthill Road – TBC (March 2020)