Liverpool’s £15 million plans to revitalise housing in the Welsh Streets have received a big thumbs-up from the community.
Two large-scale public events held at Toxteth Town Hall on 6 and 8 September gave local people the chance to view the neighbourhood regeneration plans for themselves, ask questions and have their say. And the majority of residents liked what they saw.
Of the people who completed feedback forms at the events, 71 per cent said ‘yes’ when asked if they were in favour of the plans. Twenty one per cent answered ‘maybe’, while only eight per cent said ‘no’.
Comments included:
“The plans are amazing. We are so in favour of new homes.”
“Very happy about the proposed plans and I hope that they get permission to go ahead with the plans because I’ve lived in the area for 35 years. I like my house but the damp is terrible and it’s not good for my health and my child’s – she’s three-and-a-half.”
“There seems to have been a good understanding of community needs and the plans at least look good.”
“I’m looking to buy but haven’t seen any in an area I wanted until now, so I’m excited to see the type of property I’m looking for getting built in the area.”
The public drop-in events formed part of the final consultation for the Welsh Streets scheme, which aims to rejuvenate housing throughout the area.
Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing, Councillor Ann O’Byrne, said: “I’m really pleased that these events were so well attended, because they are an important part of our work to capture the views of the community and get a better understanding of how well we are meeting their needs through this scheme.
“We’re really passionate about this project, because we believe it will change the face of the Welsh Streets and create a thriving, vibrant neighbourhood for generations to come. The positive feedback we’ve received shows that the majority of local people who have had their say share our views, which is great news.
“We will continue to listen to local people and take on-board their views as we work together to bring this important scheme to fruition.”
People who were unable to make it to the public events still have time to leave feedback on the scheme. A special website, www.princesparkconsultation.co.uk, gives residents the opportunity to find out more about the proposed scheme, look at a range of plans and artist’s impressions and leave comments.
The closing date for comments and feedback is Thursday 20 September 2012. Following the consultation, a final planning application will be submitted.
Delivered by the city council and Liverpool housing association Plus Dane Group, the proposed Welsh Streets scheme includes over 150 affordable, high-quality new homes for the local community and new residents, built to the highest standards. The properties, for rent and sale, will provide a diverse mix of housing for the area, and will be designed to be energy efficient and spacious, with many including gardens.
The plans will also see the development of proposals to retain and refurbish 32 terraced properties – 16 on Madryn Street and 16 in Kelvin Grove. The city council is launching a pilot scheme in September to give the local community, working in partnership with a lead organisation, the opportunity to take over and refurbish the Madryn Street properties, which had previously been earmarked for demolition – including 9 Madryn Street, the childhood home of Ringo Starr.
The scheme forms part of the wider housing renewal programme in the Princes Park neighbourhood which was declared in 2005 for a period of up to 10 years. There are 2,500 properties within the renewal area and over 80 per cent of the existing properties are being retained.
For more information on the Welsh Streets proposals, or to leave feedback, please visit www.princesparkconsultation.co.uk or e-mail team@consultationworks.co.uk.
