The vision for a new-look high street in Anfield has received a resoundingly positive response from the public following a series of consultation events as part of the on-going £260m regeneration of the area.
Public consultation was held at the Isla Gladstone Conservatory in Stanley Park and resulted in 94 per cent of attendees either ‘agreeing’ or ‘strongly agreeing’ that the plans will improve the neighbourhood.
The vision seeks to generate a diverse and vibrant neighbourhood composed of thriving community facilities and world-class football amenities.
A masterplan was drawn up, predominantly focused around two key concepts: the regeneration of Walton Breck Road and the introduction of a new green spine connecting Stanley Park and Robson Street.
In total, 181 people who either live or work in Anfield attended the two days of consultation. Further opportunities to view the proposals were also available at the Anfield Project Office on Burnand Street.
All attendees were asked to complete a survey after viewing the proposals and to capture differences of opinion across the entire masterplan, the survey was structured around the four key Walton Break Road areas and then subdivided into specific design elements, such as the green spine, the retail offer and the hotel.
The consultation revealed:
• 82% strongly disagree/disagree that the facilities on Walton Break Road area now are good
• Between 84% and 91% strongly agree/agree the plans for Walton Break areas 1-4 will improve the neighbourhood
• 90% strongly agree/agree the plans for retail space will improve the neighbourhood
• 89% strongly agree/agree the plans for a green spine linking Stanley Park with Robson Street will improve the neighbourhood
• 81% strongly agree/agree the plans for a hotel will improve the neighbourhood
• 72% strongly agree/agree the plans for a Box Market will improve the neighbourhood
It also revealed that the three most popular comments about what people like about the Anfield area now are:
• Community Spirit
• Transport and Access to City Centre
• Stanley Park / Greenspace
And the 3 most popular comments about what people think needs to be improved about the Anfield area are:
• Retail
• Parking and Traffic Management
• Housing
Cllr Ann O’Byrne, Deputy Mayor of Liverpool, said: “Community feedback has always been a key part of the whole Anfield Regeneration project from its conception and it is really encouraging to see so much enthusiasm for the on-going work.
“It is only through consultation and listening to feedback will the Partnership be able to create a brighter Anfield for everyone who lives and works there.
“The results of this consultation show that the public feel very positively towards the Anfield vision proposals which will help us refine it and turn it in to reality.”
Mark Tattersall, chair of Your Housing Group, said: “Better homes, shops and transport links are the bedrock of any small community and it is good to know that we are on the right track in what we, with Liverpool City Council and Liverpool Football Club are developing in Anfield.
“We are very pleased that residents in Anfield agree that the regeneration plans will vastly improve the area and we look forward to receiving further feedback that we will continue to take on board.”
The first phase of works on the High Street has begun with demolition of some retail units. Further work will be delivered in phases over the next 24-36 months.
