City leaders talk up opportunities around bid for 10,000 home new town
Liverpool's dockland including the Hill Dickinson Stadium
Liverpool's dockland including the Hill Dickinson Stadium
Regeneration in Liverpool is “no longer just a promise or a bit of rhetoric” as the city council looks to press on with plans for a brand new town. Cllr Liam Robinson, leader of Liverpool Council, told a developer forum how the potential around the city’s north docks was “one of the most exciting regeneration opportunities not just in this country but beyond.”
Last December, the LDRS exclusively revealed how Liverpool Council put forward a submission for New Town status to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) to expand the northern fringe of the city into Sefton. The new development – to be known as Liverpool North - would span 5km from just north of Liverpool city centre, across Everton, Anfield and Kirkdale and into Bootle.
The proposal could lead to the development of a number of brownfield sites and encompass key locations along the route including Everton FC’s new £500m stadium at Bramley Moore Dock and the £20m Bootle New Strand development project. The city council has worked in collaboration with Sefton Council, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, Homes England, and key landowners in the area to set out a 10-year vision for the area.
Cllr Liam Robinson is the leader of Liverpool Council's ruling Labour group
Cllr Liam Robinson is the leader of Liverpool Council's ruling Labour group
(Image: Liverpool Echo)
The plans were presented to developers as the local authority held its fifth forum with operators from the city and beyond. Cllr Robinson said the areas that will encompass the new town, including Everton, Kirkdale and Anfield, offer the opportunity for “good quality housing” that the city needs.
Andrew Lewis, Liverpool Council chief executive, said Liverpool had “not always delivered on its potential as a global city” in terms of development, but was well on the way to turning that around. Addressing the plans at the Local Government Association (LGA) conference at ACC Liverpool last week, city and borough leaders have outlined their desire to ensure the proposals are brought to life.
New Town status is a designation given to certain areas in the UK that are undergoing significant redevelopment. These areas are characterised by a mix of old and new housing, commercial spaces and infrastructure.
The new town would stretch across the north of Liverpool encompassing Kirkdale up towards Bootle
The new town would stretch across the north of Liverpool encompassing Kirkdale up towards Bootle
(Image: Reach plc)
The goal of New Town status is to revitalise these areas. According to the city council, the 5km area earmarked for Liverpool North presents a key opportunity for urban expansion and regeneration with the potential for around 10,000 new homes.
Andy Hunt, who sits on the Imagine Liverpool board, said the opening of Everton’s new Hill Dickinson Stadium, which will act as an anchor for the new town bid, was a “really exciting time for the city.”
The nearby Toffee Trail, Red Walk and canal around the three major football stadiums will also unlock vital land and housing for the project according to Nuala Gallagher, corporate director for city development.
The £5m regeneration of Greatie Market will form the first phase of the new town work. Ms Gallagher said it will “uplift the market and give a quality offer to the city that we can expand.”
Echoing the sentiment of Cllr Robinson in that Liverpool will make the new town happen “one way or another” the director said: “We’re not waiting on announcements, we’re looking to get on and deliver.”
The ECHO understands the MHCLG is reviewing the submitted evidence ahead of a decision made by ministers later this year.