Planning approval secured for 52 new homes in Liverpool

The ongoing regeneration of Liverpool’s Welsh Streets took a significant step forward this week as the city council approved specialist build-to-rent developer Placefirst’s plans for 52 new homes as part of a masterplan breathing new life into several streets of Victorian terraced housing.

Presented at the council’s planning committee, Placefirst secured approval to build a mix of one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom homes across a number of sites across the Welsh Streets.

Thirty-nine houses will be built on vacant infill sites on Voelas Street and Wynnstay Street, with the remaining 13 homes located on South Street, a key local thoroughfare currently characterised by blank gable walls.

The proposals presented at the planning committee were subject to two planning consultation events prior to and during the planning application, and several changes have been implemented in response to comments received.

Cllr Lynnie Hinnigan, deputy mayor of Liverpool and cabinet member for housing, said: “The regeneration of the Welsh Streets community is one of the city’s great success stories of the past decade and required a huge amount of partnership working to transform a collapsed scheme into an award-winning development.

“It will be fantastic to see a mix of housing being developed in the area with new, modern, striking units complementing the homes that Placefirst have brought back into use, as well as the work that Plus Dane are carrying out on their stock. It is another big step in the rebirth of this area.”

James Litherland, planning & development manager at Placefirst, said: “Given the well documented and fractious planning history of the Welsh Streets, we are delighted with the approval for the new homes at Welsh Streets.

“Through comprehensive masterplanning and remodelling of the Victorian terraces, Placefirst is creating a unique residential neighbourhood in Liverpool and demonstrating the inherent flexibility of terraced housing.

“Approval of the new-build homes will ‘complete the circle’ of our original masterplan and ensure the Welsh Streets offers a diversity of homes to meet families’ diverse needs.”

The new homes have been designed to create a modern, complementary contrast with the Victorian terraces, and use a palette of materials chosen to ensure a consistent streetscape design across the wider Welsh Streets.

“Similar to the refurbished properties, the new homes will have access to attractive landscaped communal avenues which are replacing traditional yards and alleys typically associated with terraced housing.”

Through long-term build-to-rent investment, Placefirst is transforming several streets of Victorian terraced housing previously set for demolition.

Existing properties have been completely remodelled to create spacious, energy-efficient family homes, and rear yards and alleys have been converted into a mix of terraces and landscaped communal gardens.

This innovative approach has resulted in 12 national and regional property awards to date, most recently collecting Best Residential Development at the RICS North West Awards in May 2019.

Placefirst aims to start construction of the new homes at the end of Summer 2019, working with in-house contractor, Placefirst Construction.

The first homes should be ready to welcome new families from Spring 2020, with full completion of the Welsh Streets anticipated for late 2020.