A derelict former fire station and pub in Kensington are to be brought back into use for sale to first-time buyers.
Riverside has been granted £250,000 funding from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) to redevelop Durning Road Fire and Police Station and The Shipperies, which are owned by Liverpool City Council.
The Grade II listed fire station and historically significant pub, which have become an eyesore as they have been derelict for several years, will be converted into five family homes for sale under Riverside’s innovative Own Place scheme.
Own Place – which won a UK Housing Award for Making Best Use of Stock – allows people, who couldn’t otherwise afford to buy their own home, to become owner occupiers by bringing back into use long-term empty properties that require significant investment.
The properties are improved to a mortgageable standard before being sold at a 25% discount to incentivise buyers to remain as owner occupiers for a minimum of five years.
James Hill, Riverside’s Director of Property Strategy, said: “Own Place has proved to be a hugely successful scheme. Since we launched it five years ago, we have brought over 250 empty homes back into use for sale to first-time buyers.
“We are very excited to be working with Liverpool City Council to bring two properties of historical and architectural significance back into use”
Councillor Ann O’Byrne, Liverpool City Council cabinet member for housing, said: “This is very good news. Not only will a historic building be brought back into use but affordable homes will be created in an area which is undergoing a transformation.”
Work will start on the properties by the end of the year and should be ready for buyers to move in next May.
Prices are expected to start from £86,000 for a three-bedroom house up to £123,000 for a five-bedroom house.
For more information call 0151 343 1170, email enquiries@ownplace.co.uk or visit www.ownplace.org.
