Families are looking forward to moving into stunning new homes in Fairfield in time for Christmas, thanks to the completion of a £1 million development.
The scheme, which has seen housing association Riverside working with the council to deliver the homes for affordable rent on a vacant brownfield site, supports the Mayor of Liverpool’s plans to work creatively with partners to kick-start housing development and deliver much-needed new housing.
The 11 two, three and four-bedroom homes on Cheviot Road and Birchfield Road in Fairfield, have been built by Mansell on behalf of Riverside.
Lynda Reid, 51, is one of the first tenants to be moving in. She is moving from a five-bedroom house with a private landlord to a three-bedroom house with Riverside.
She said: “I’ve got six children but they have grown up and three of them have flown the nest already and I expect the others will move on soon so the house was too big for my needs.
“The move is going to save me over £200 a month in rent plus I am looking forward to lower bills. And I have a garden. It’s been years since I’ve been able to hang my washing outside.
“I’m like a child at Christmas I am so excited.”
The site, which was previously occupied by garages and warehouses, lies within the Kensington and Fairfield ward.
Riverside’s Chief Executive Carol Matthews said: “Over the last 10 years Riverside has invested over £50m breathing new life into the area. This includes Kensington Square, a £14m development of energy efficient homes for rent, shared ownership, intermediate rent and open market sale and Own Place, which sees derelict properties being brought back into use for sale to first-time buyers.
“This is the latest piece of the jigsaw and we are really excited to welcome Lynda and her family to the area.”
Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing, Councillor Ann O’Byrne added: “We have made fantastic progress in delivering new housing in Fairfield in recent years and this is yet another success story. I’m delighted that the work we have done with Riverside for this site has now paid off, with the completion of these wonderful new homes.
“It’s another great example of how we are working creatively with our partners to make the most of our assets and deliver the new housing this city so desperately needs.
“Fairfield is now benefiting from a diverse range of affordable, energy-efficient, mixed-tenure properties which meet the demands of the community. And these latest new homes will be the perfect Christmas present for local families.”
David Croft, a director of Croft Goode Architects, which designed the new homes, said: “We had a very positive reaction to these homes when we ran a public consultation last year before work started. Now that the first residents are moving in we’re incredibly pleased to hear that they have been overwhelmed by the appearance and design quality of the new homes.”
Main image (left to right): Riverside’s chief executive Carol Matthews, Lynda Reid and Councillor Anne O’Byrne, together everyone else involved with the project, including Mansell, who built the new homes on behalf of Riverside
