Mayor Joe ‘incensed’ by Welsh Streets call in

COMMUNITIES secretary Eric Pickles has called in Liverpool City Council’s plans for the Welsh Streets area in Toxteth.

The city’s mayor, Joe Anderson, who has been pushing for the £15m scheme, said he was “absolutely incensed” by the decision which he described as a “slap in the face” for residents.

In July the council approved plans that include building 150 new homes, refurbishing 37 terraced properties, including the birthplace of former Beatle Ringo Starr at 9 Madryn Street, and the demolition of 280.

But the proposals will now be subject to a public inquiry because the government is concerned about architecture and design issues and the extent to which the proposals meet planning policy on “conserving and enhancing the historic environment”.

The inquiry will also question whether the development is consistent with the Government’s policy of bringing empty homes back into use and whether the proposal is in-line with the development plan for the area.

The Welsh Streets were part of the previous Government’s Pathfinder housing market renewal scheme. The idea was to demolish some properties and attract new residents with a mixture of new build and refurbishment. But many areas were not completed and funding was withdrawn by the coalition government.

Mayor Anderson said: “These proposals were drawn up after extensive consultation with residents. It is residents that have been badly let down by this decision. This is hugely frustrating and bitterly disappointing for the local community. Residents have faced more than 10 years of uncertainty and delay, and made clear in no uncertain terms that they backed what has been put forward.”

He added: “I am personally fed up with government interference like this, which has now delayed local people having the good quality homes they deserve. All this community wants is certainty and the government has slapped them in the face with this decision. I am absolutely incensed that Mr Pickles, who supposedly champions localism, has ignored the overwhelming views of local people, and called this in, particularly when his own department has allocated funds towards the project.”