Council rubber stamps plans for housing association’s 304-home scheme

Liverpool City Council planning committee has rubber stamped proposals for a major new housing scheme.

The development was approved previously at the committee’s March 22, meeting earlier this year.

However, it became apparent that a change in the wording of the agreement, in respect of affordable housing, was necessary, and the matter came before today’s (September 11) committee once more.

The plans, by Liverpool-based housing association Regenda, involve the demolition of existing homes in Liverpool 7, and their replacement with 304 new homes.

The proposal, Grove Place, will comprise six buildings, ranging from three to nine storeys and will include social rent and affordable rent properties, apartments to rent to buy, and apartments for private sale.

The council owns the land but leases it to Regenda.

Martin Davies, of Regenda, said the scheme will open up some of the area’s historic streets, including Falkner Street and Vine Street, not to cars, but to cyclists and pedestrians.

Labour Cllr Nick Small represents Central Ward, which covers the east side of the development, and he told the committee at the original hearing that he “very much” supported the application.

He said: “I have been a councillor for 18 years and this will be the first new social housing in Central Ward in 18 years. This is a really important scheme, strategically. It will transform this part of Liverpool.”

The application was approved unanimously.