Plan goes in to kick off £150m Project Jennifer

THE programme for the delivery of the £150m regeneration of Great Homer Street has been confirmed in another positive step forward for the North Liverpool regeneration scheme.

A planning application for the new large format Sainsbury’s food store will be submitted, and construction to begin on site in summer next year, with the store opening in spring 2017.
 
The revised planning application will take into account changes in retail and customer shopping requirements since Sainsbury’s committed to what is locally known as  Project Jennifer in 2010.

Sainbury’s store will be smaller than originally planned, but still comprises 40,000sq ft, offering its full range of good and services, including a café.
 
The project broke ground last November and site preparation works are due to complete this month. In addition, the £4m highway works phase of the scheme, which includes improvements to Great Homer Street and Scotland Road, together with a new link road and junction between the two, are underway and expected to complete in summer next year.

New retail units comprising 80,000sq ft will also be constructed and will open to coincide with the new Sainsbury’s store.

Regeneration specialist St Modwen has already begun demolition of the existing buildings on site to make way for the facilities and work is due to complete before the end of this year.  

Sainsbury’s property development manager Christian Wakelin said: “We’re looking forward to opening our new store in 2017.  

“However, since our proposals were first announced, the food retail market and customer shopping patterns have changed considerably which is why we are submitting revised plans for a smaller store to Liverpool Council. We look forward to a decision being made in the coming months.”

St Modwen projects director Paul Batho said: “Work on site at Project Jennifer has progressed significantly over the last year, with site preparation and remediation now almost complete and the highway works about to begin.

“Revising the plans to ensure that the Sainsbury’s store is in keeping with what customers want is essential. We are pleased that Project Jennifer is moving forwards and we look forward to opening the new district centre in 2017.”

Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson said: “While these changes are slightly disappointing, they don’t change the fact that Project Jennifer is part of a radical transformation and still represents a huge investment in the area.

“This week’s opening of the new Evertro wheels park, the new school we have built and the hugely successful new Greatie Market, alongside Project Jennifer, show the city’s commitment to investing in a successful and deliverable vibrant new start for the area.”

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