City leaders are set to consider a formal framework for the regeneration of Anfield which could pave the way for planning applications to deliver a proposed £260m scheme to breathe new life into north Liverpool.
Local residents and businesses are to be asked for their views on the document, called the Anfield Spatial Regeneration Framework (SRF), before it is finalised and formally adopted as a Supplementary Planning Document by Liverpool City Council.
The draft SRF sets out the planning framework for development in the Anfield area. Published today in draft form, it outlines a number of proposals to regenerate the area and potentially create some 700 long-term jobs.
It will be considered by Liverpool City Council’s cabinet on February 7. If approved in draft form, a four-week public consultation will take place before it is finalised and submitted to the cabinet again for official and final adoption in April.
The draft SRF follows the unveiling of a range of ideas last June by a consortium led by Liverpool City Council with support from Your Housing Group, Liverpool Football Club and other partners including house-builder Keepmoat Ltd.
About 1,700 residents were surveyed with more than 80% of those who responded welcoming those ideas and saying they wanted them to be developed further. The draft SRF has taken residents’ views into account.
The publication of today’s document could pave the way for planning applications for new housing, business and retail premises, a hotel, new public space, a proposed expansion of Liverpool FC’s stadium and a range of new community facilities in the area, including in Stanley Park.
Subject to the views of residents and formal ratification of the draft SRF by the council, some of those planning applications could be submitted this year. It is intended that all the proposed developments are delivered by 2018.
The publication of the draft SRF comes in the midst of major improvements which have already been made to the wider Anfield area. These include over £72m of housing since 2005, the demolition of derelict properties, the restoration of Stanley Park including the Isla Gladstone conservatory, and the construction of the new Four Oaks Primary School and Mere Lane Health Centre and the expansion of the Football Match Parking Zone.
The draft SRF is designed to support proposals which will accelerate these improvements and create the right environment for economic development, employment growth and personal wellbeing.
Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson said: “The publication of today’s draft SRF sends a very clear message to the people of north Liverpool: a brighter Anfield is coming.
“This is one of the most important milestones in the recent history of north Liverpool and will lead to a huge improvement in quality of life for many thousands of people.
“These plans have evolved over the last year thanks to the people of Anfield themselves. They have told us what they want – new opportunities, new homes, an improved environment – and we have listened. We now want those residents and businesses to speak to us again and let us know if they want these plans to become reality.”
Your Housing Group Chief Executive Brian Cronin said: “Community leaders and residents have had a major part to play in helping us to shape the proposals contained in the draft SRF and we are extremely grateful for their contribution.
“Anyone visiting Anfield in the last year can see the improvements which have already been made. Much has also been done through the delivery of new-build homes and the imaginative refurbishment of traditional terraces. We can already see the brighter Anfield which is emerging.
“But there is still a huge amount to be done to realise our vision for the area and the publication of today’s framework is a crucial step towards achieving that vision.”
Liverpool Football Club Managing Director Ian Ayre said: “The publication of the draft SRF document is another important milestone in the regeneration project as we continue this exciting journey to transform the Anfield area.
“Any final decision regarding a future stadium expansion continues to be based on certainty – certainty that we can obtain the necessary land around the stadium to facilitate any expansion; certainty that there is demand for any future expansion; certainty that we have home owners’ support; and certainty that we will be able to navigate the complex planning landscape.
“We regard the progress to date as extremely positive and will continue to be fully supportive of the regeneration project with Liverpool City Council and Your Housing Group.”
You can view the Anfield SRF Cabinet report in full at: http://bit.ly/1dQFlBK
HAVE YOUR SAY
Members of the public, local businesses and other stakeholders are being asked to give their views on the Anfield Spatial Regeneration Framework. They can do so in the following ways:
- View the draft SRF proposals and talk to a member of the community engagement team.
This can be done at the Project Office at 60-62 Burnand Street on these dates and times:
- Monday February 17 from 1pm to 4pm.
- Wednesday February 19 from 1pm to 4pm.
- Monday February 24 from 1pm to 4pm.
- Wednesday February 26 from 1pm to 4pm.
- Monday March 3 from 1pm to 4pm.
- Wednesday March 5 from 1pm to 4pm.
- Monday March 10 from 1pm to 4pm.
- Wednesday March 12 from 1pm to 4pm.
The community engagement team will also be staffing a trailer with information about the proposals which will be situated on Walton Breck Road (opposite the Kop) on Tuesday February 18 between 12 noon and 4pm and on Tuesday March 4 between 12 noon and 4pm.
In addition, people can drop into Kemps Bistro in the Isla Gladstone Conservatory, Stanley Park, on Tuesday February 25 between 6pm and 8pm and on Tuesday March 11 between 6pm and 8pm.
Respond to a survey which has been designed to capture the views of people who live, work and visit the area. This can be found on the project website www.anfieldproject.co.uk from February 14 2014. Alternately members of the public will be able to input a response via a community engagement team or at most of the information points.
Queries about the draft SRF proposals should be emailed to anfieldproject@liverpool.gov.uk
