Fury over Pickles’ Welsh Street knock-back

A LIVERPOOL regeneration scheme that included the former home of Ringo Starr, the Beates’ drummer,  has been blocked.

Mayor Joe Anderson has erupted with fury at the decision by Communities and Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles to turn down the Welsh Streets project – despite it being recommended for approval by an independent Planning Inspector.

Under the plans – backed by 70% of the local community – 271 damp and run down homes were to have been demolished and replaced by 154 new houses. Another 37 terraced properties, including the former home of Ringo Starr, would have been revamped.

Mayor Anderson said: “This is yet another kick in the teeth for the long-suffering residents of the Welsh Streets, who have now been waiting more than a decade for new homes.

“I was prepared to abide by the decision of an independent inspector even if it had gone against us, but it is unacceptable, dishonourable and completely perverse for Eric Pickles to continue to ignore local leadership, local people and then hold and pay for an independent Public Inquiry using taxpayers’ money, which he then ignores for naked political posturing.

“Yet again, this Government talks about localism but then interferes in the wishes of local people. It is absolutely appalling and smacks of the very worst type of political interference from Whitehall.”

He added: “We will be looking straight away at how we can challenge this dreadful decision.”

The scheme was approved by the council’s planning committee in August 2013 but called in for public inquiry by the Secretary of State.

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