The rebirth of housing in Anfield is taking another significant step forward, with an exciting scheme to deliver more than 100 brand new homes officially underway.
Five streets in the area – Hartnup Street, Donaldson Street, Granton Street, Salisbury Street and St Domingo Vale – are looking forward to a bright future, thanks to work beginning on the replacement of 160 derelict properties with more than 100 sparkling, modern, family homes.
Demolition work has now started on the derelict properties, which are beyond salvage and were causing blight to the area. More than 90% of the materials from the demolition, including old floorboards, joists and bricks, will be recycled.
Once the demolition – which will take around three months – is completed, the vacant plots will be seeded with grass and wild flowers.
It will pave the way to the start of construction later this year, by Keepmoat Ltd, of more than 100 new homes with gardens, public space and new streets. The project is expected to take two to three years to complete.
Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing, Councillor Ann O’Byrne, said: “This is absolutely wonderful news for the community and another important piece in the jigsaw for the regeneration of Anfield. I’m really pleased with the progress we are making with housing in the area, and this latest work can only build the momentum.
“This stunning new housing development will completely transform the area, providing local people with homes they can be proud of. The blight which has set into this area will soon be a thing of the past, with the birth of a revitalised neighbourhood, with modern, energy-efficient family homes which are designed and built to the highest quality.
“At the heart of this scheme – as with all the housing schemes we are delivering – is the community. We want to provide the types of homes people have told us they want to live in, with gardens and driveways, surrounded by attractive public space.
“Ultimately, we are not just building homes, we are building sustainable communities too.”
Outline planning consent is in place for the new homes and detailed planning permission will be sought soon.
The properties will be a mix of social and private housing and a range of sizes, types and values.
It is anticipated that registered social landlord Your Housing Group would assume ownership of some of the properties for rental to tenants.
The demolition is part of plans already in train to regenerate Anfield and follows the unveiling last month of a £260m vision to transform the area. The ideas and concepts include further new housing, shopping facilities, public space, office buildings, a hotel and the creation of a major new pedestrian-friendly avenue and public square.
There is also a proposal to complete the restoration of Stanley Park and to build a food hub at its centre which would offer food retail units, production and training facilities.
A community engagement team is currently seeking the views of residents on the proposals.
Brian Cronin, chief executive of Your Housing Group, said: “These demolitions mark another milestone in the regeneration of Anfield and are further evidence of the rapid progress which is now being made by Liverpool City Council and its partners.”
David Wroe, new build managing director for Keepmoat, said: “The demolition of these derelict properties is another significant step in helping to regenerate this local community. We have already seen the demand for high quality new build homes in this area and the next 100 homes will include a mix of house types and prices that will appeal to many first time buyers, young professionals and families.”
A new vision for Anfield
The Anfield regeneration vision is being delivered by a consortium led by Liverpool City Council with support from Your Housing Group and Liverpool Football Club. It includes:
• Refurbishment of more than 550 homes in the Anfield/Rockfield areas.
• Creation of a major, pedestrian-friendly new avenue to link Walton Breck Road High Street with Priory Road, running through Stanley Park along the existing Mill Lane.
• The creation of a 10,000 sq ft Food Hub in Stanley Park.
• Improvements to Walton Breck Road and Oakfield Road.
• Creation of a public ‘Village’ square at the junction of the proposed new avenue and Walton Breck Road.
• The clearance of around 300 derelict and sub-standard properties.
• Continued development of new energy-efficient homes by Keepmoat west of Walton Breck Road – about 250 new homes in phases four and five of The Parks development, set in an attractive, greener safer environment.
• The completion of the restoration of Stanley Park, including its car park, with a range of possible new features and uses.
• Improvements in design to integrate the Park with neighbouring residential areas and make it easier to access.
• The building of a 100-bed hotel, possibly in the Village Square, which would train young people in hospitality.
• The creation of new office buildings – a ‘business hub’ – and new and improved retail premises in the Village Square and on Walton Breck Road/Oakfield Road
