Buggedboy must live downstairs from me! :D


Jump up and down three times and I'll tap out Ferry Cross the Mersey on my ceiling with a mop handle

cant quite understand how it costs 75K... shocking

Must be good fucking paint. And 6 weeks:nuts: It's not exactly the Forth Bridge is it.

Waterways off yoliverpool done a similar thing which I think was really great of him.

..They were very impressed (one is from Paris) with the Albert Dock and with the level of construction, and wondered what the church was with the birds on top.


:laugh:

......On the way home to France, I overheard them saying to others that they were very impressed with Liverpool and never expected it to be so nice.

A nice story Paul, glad they enjoyed their trip, though it is a shame you have to plan a route into the city to avoid eyesores. Funny, cos I do the same!

:laugh:



A nice story Paul, glad they enjoyed their trip, though it is a shame you have to plan a route into the city to avoid eyesores. Funny, cos I do the same!


I'm sure there are routes into Paris the locals would rather you never saw,remember all of those riots last year.

why is the council paying to paint a railway bridge, I thought that was railways property? ****dy cheek, how about em getting their hands in there pockets for Limestreet Station, *sighs* all this further work at piccadilly and now we even have to pay to have their bridges painted! what a mess and waste of council tax payers money.
kat:ohno:

I'm sure there are routes into Paris the locals would rather you never saw,remember all of those riots last year.

Not too many within the 'boulevard peripherique' which circles Paris but a lot of crap just outside.

The perception of outsiders who have never been here towards Liverpool is somewhere between Beirut and South central LA.

Going back to about 1990 a mate from a village just outside Southampton who knew Liverpool brought his mate up for the weekend. He arrived Friday night and left first thing Monday. By sunday evening a bit pissed he said that it was nothing like the image painted on TV, an image which scared him somewhat and that it was actually not at all bad. The areas he saw were Kenny, Anfield and Vauxhall drinking in the Green Man, Glass House, The Sheil, Kenny etc.
This was Liverpol warts and all and it was still better than the media portrayal. Speaks volumes to me.

Not too many within the 'boulevard peripherique' which circles Paris but a lot of crap just outside.

The perception of outsiders who have never been here towards Liverpool is somewhere between Beirut and South central LA.

Going back to about 1990 a mate from a village just outside Southampton who knew Liverpool brought his mate up for the weekend. He arrived Friday night and left first thing Monday. By sunday evening a bit pissed he said that it was nothing like the image painted on TV, an image which scared him somewhat and that it was actually not at all bad. The areas he saw were Kenny, Anfield and Vauxhall drinking in the Green Man, Glass House, The Sheil, Kenny etc.
This was Liverpol warts and all and it was still better than the media portrayal. Speaks volumes to me.

That's scary to think that he was in some of the worst areas and he still had a better impression of Liverpool than the one he came here with.

Did he get to meet 'Shake Hands'? :?

Must be good fucking paint. And 6 weeks:nuts: It's not exactly the Forth Bridge is it.

We got a taxi back from the airport yesterday morning and the driver took us a back route to avoid Smithdown Road as he said people are getting stuck for over half an hour trying to get through with 2 lanes closed. Sounds like a nightmere... and for 6 weeks! Surely the most they'd ever need to do is close one lane out of the 4? For £75K I want gold leaf!

Walked past the Smithdown Road bridge yesterday and have to say I can not believe the chaos they are creating. This job should be able to be done easily within 2 weeks working nights to limit the impact during peak hours. There were a lot of workers milling around, they were taking ages fitting the curtain walling to allow them to grit blast and generally working slowly. There was a council / highway official taking notes and observing everything.

I have some experience of this kind of thing and have managed to carry out extensive cleaning and painting operations over a similarly busy road artery and managed to keep the impact on commuter hours to an absolute minimum. Good planning and efficient operations are all that are required. Deeply unimpressed with the proposed duration and cost of this.

They seem to be following the council's unofficial motto 'Maximum cost, maxiumum disturbance, minimum effect'.

Just been past at 7:30pm and obviously not a worker in sight. Naturally the traffic was down to a level where closing a lane has little impact ... ideal time to be doing the work. They have managed to put up the curtain walling on one side and park a couple of cherry pickers on the closed carriageway. Major progress there then ;).

I don't think we can really blame the Council for this one. This is a network rail owned bridge and I will bet they chose the contractors from their approved (and expensive) list.

I do object to the Council having to chip in some of the funding (£20K I think) but there was probably no other way to get Network Rail to do the work. As we have seen with Lime St Station, getting Network Rail to pay for anything themselves is like getting blood out of stone!

... As we have seen with Lime St Station, getting Network Rail to pay for anything themselves is like getting blood out of stone!

Too true ... amazing how they are costing the tax payer 4 times as much as Railtrack did in subsidy before it was Nationalised ... correction, taken into non-nationalised, government controlled, off balance sheet for liabilities, hidden from public scrutiny and the red book entity. Whoever is to blame the tax payer is picking up the bill. There is no doubt that this bridge needs repair and painting, it would just be refreshing for once if projects of this nature were planned and delivered in the efficient manner one should expect from a First World economy. Rant over :).

Apparently St Thomas Church on Ashfield, off Picton Road, Wavertree is well on it's way to being demolished. The brick and sandstone structure has stood since 1904, but closed a few years ago. The main structure of the building is down with just the far pillars and wall, and the main spire still standing. I've heard the stained glass windows were taken into storage before demolition began. I'm not a religious person, but I don't think you have to be to think it's a shame a building which has stood for over 100 years is now being demolished. I can think of a dozen or more buildings across the city that are more worthy of the wrecking ball than this one. The building will be replaced with a four-storey apartment building with undercroft car parking.

Just been past at 7:30pm and obviously not a worker in sight. Naturally the traffic was down to a level where closing a lane has little impact ... ideal time to be doing the work. They have managed to put up the curtain walling on one side and park a couple of cherry pickers on the closed carriageway. Major progress there then ;).

At 6pm last night the traffic was backed up on Smithdown Road as far as ASDA, this morning there were massive queues all around Sefton Park as people tried to avoid the chaos on Smithdown. This is rediculous, it's like a third world country. It's worse though really, as we have the technology and organisational ability to avoid this chaos, it's just plain laziness on the part of the contractors - of course it's easier for them to just close down two lanes, but the council should have insisted that (as they are contributing to the cost of the work) it's carried out with the least unecessary distruption to what is one of the main commuting highways in the city. :ohno:

Apparently St Thomas Church on Ashfield, off Picton Road, Wavertree is well on it's way to being demolished. The brick and sandstone structure has stood since 1904, but closed a few years ago. The main structure of the building is down with just the far pillars and wall, and the main spire still standing. I've heard the stained glass windows were taken into storage before demolition began. I'm not a religious person, but I don't think you have to be to think it's a shame a building which has stood for over 100 years is now being demolished. I can think of a dozen or more buildings across the city that are more worthy of the wrecking ball than this one. The building will be replaced with a four-storey apartment building with undercroft car parking.

Not entirely surprised by this, but it is a real shame that they can't bring in a developer to do a sensitive conversion which retains the original building. It was a real eye opener being in the States and realising just how much of our historic buildings we take for granted. On one tour I remember a guide waffling on about how a particular church was 'over 120 years old' - as if that was something quite remarkable.

It does make you realise that if we keep destroying our own local history at this rate we'll be loosing an assett far more valuable than mere land value. This may not be the greatest church building, but it's still a significant part of the local history of the area, and although I don't believe that it's necessary to maintain buildings for their original purpose, I do believe we should make every effort to at least preserve the structure of old churches as they contribute a considerable amount to the cultural and asthetic value of an area.

From the planning explorer -

Application Number - 07O/2898
Site Address - Former Crown/Dickie Lewis P.H., 2 Stopgate Lane, Liverpool, L9 6AP
Proposal - To erect residential development comprising 18 no. two bed apartments and 7 no. one bed apartments with associated car parking and landscaping following demolition of existing building
Applicant - Mericot Limited

Although that junction does look better in a way with the pub gone, I suppose it was inevitable the land would be built on. I'd like to see the building at the back of the site, with the landscaped car parking at the front to maintain some of the new 'openess' of the area. Probably won't happen like that, but it would be good if it could.

I've got mixed feeling on this myself,the previous application was for apartments and that was rejected.Then a mysterious fire burnt down the pub on a main gateway into the city the year before CoC,I'm not convinced that's coincidental.

At 6pm last night the traffic was backed up on Smithdown Road as far as ASDA, this morning there were massive queues all around Sefton Park as people tried to avoid the chaos on Smithdown. This is rediculous, it's like a third world country. It's worse though really, as we have the technology and organisational ability to avoid this chaos, it's just plain laziness on the part of the contractors - of course it's easier for them to just close down two lanes, but the council should have insisted that (as they are contributing to the cost of the work) it's carried out with the least unecessary distruption to what is one of the main commuting highways in the city. :ohno:

I am sure you will be pleased to hear that the whole concept of grit blasting rust off the structure before priming it has passed this work crew by ... really unimpressive.

A BRIDGE carrying the main West Coast railway line over a busy Liverpool road is to be repainted in time for Capital of Culture celebrations.

The bridge, which spans the A562 Smithdown Road is a battleship grey and pockmarked with rust patches.

Network Rail, which will be carrying out the work, has joined forces with Liverpool council to fund the £75,000 project because the road is one of the main gateways into the city centre and could be used by thousands of visitors during the celebrations.


Jo Kaye, Network Rail’s area general manager, said: “We want to help create a good impression of the city on all the visitors coming to the many events taking place.”.

Memo to Mr. Jo Kay

If you have £75k burning a hole in your NR pocket, instead of "tarty up" one bridge, how about spending it on a long over due line -side clean up
The amount of debris scattered all along the main lines into Lime Street (including the Edge Hill tunnel) is a disgrace. Visitors would be far more impressed with a nice green gateway, than a pale green bridge that will be seen only for seconds.:ohno:

Good point Woody, it can be a pretty depressing journey into Lime Street at the best of times, without seeing the contents of someone's rubbish bin strewn over the tracks...

to be fair is doesn't really matter what railway your on.... the all look like shitholes.... still does not forgive 75k for snarling up smithdown road.... all day every day!

More than 40 firefighters have tackled a fire that has left damage valued at thousands of pounds at a newly renovated 16-storey tower block.

Link to BBC news item (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/merseyside/7046414.stm)

This is a huge site in edge hill... the first apartemens are built but does anyone know if they are planning to build on the whole site?
http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/8064/whatevatreva031bc8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/3144/whatevatreva032my3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Earle rd medical centre

http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/2237/whatevatreva033ru3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/1508/whatevatreva034hw1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Is this the slowest moving scheme in LIverpool??
http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/6420/whatevatreva038rc0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/6420/whatevatreva038rc0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Liverpool International business park

http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/5418/whatevatreva042fp9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Securing a tenant for this beast would bring a few jobs in?!?

http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/2341/whatevatreva043vt5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

MORE than £1m will be spent transforming a rundown stretch of the Leeds-Liverpool canal.

The money will be used to upgrade the neglected area between the Eldonian village, in Vauxhall, and Bootle’s Bedford Road.

That section of the canal is little-used because parts of it are choked with weeds but waterfront bosses want it revitalised to help bring 4,500 barges a year into the heart of Liverpool, where a new canal link will let them sail through the Pier Head into Albert Dock.

The new project will improve towpaths for pedestrians and cyclists, bridges, locks, access points, the canalside park and signs.

It will connect with a similar £1.1m Sefton council scheme for the canal as it moves through Bootle.

A separate plan to introduce a team of canal rangers, who will tackle security problems, pick up litter and remove graffiti, is also being worked on.

The proposals were today welcomed by Mersey Motor Boat Club, England’s oldest boat society, which hopes they will revive a forgotten stretch of the 19th-century canal.

Commodore Jimmy Woolfall said: “At this time of year, you can’t really sail down there because the weed is so bad.

“Your boat might get through, but once the rubbish is churned up from the bottom, the next could get stuck.

“But this project is fantastic news and everyone is really looking forward to the improved facilities. The number of visiting boats at our club has quadrupled recently, so the demand is clearly there.”

More than £860,000 of the project’s cost will come from the Mersey Waterfront organisation, with the rest coming from Liverpool council.

If councillors rubber-stamp their contribution tomorrow, work should start in January and finished in March 2009.

Jo Hayes, from Mersey Waterfront, said: “Our ultimate aim is to transform historic promenades and urban waterside routes, which have become neglected and underused.

“It will create modern, attractive locations for a variety of activities, including walking and cycling.”

The Day a barge can pass on through Ford is the day Hell freezes over

Cant believe the fire at Heysmoore, I live just down the road. The area off Earle Road will see massive changes with all the streets to Smithdown being knocked down. I dont know what will go in their place, lets hope some decent 3 storey houses so the area can be brought up.

Cant believe the fire at Heysmoore

??

Where's that?

Heymoore Heights on Croxteth Road, but not too much damage

A MULTI-MILLION pound scheme will see a famous Merseyside factory converted into apartments.

Councillors gave the go-ahead to the ambitious plans to revamp the former Johnsons Cleaners’ Bootle HQ.

It closed earlier this year.

Servite Houses wants to convert the well-known building, off Mildmay Road, into more than 100 flats and ground-floor shops.

The plans will see around 120 new two and three-bedroom houses and apartments built in the factory’s grounds once warehouses are demolished.

Servite started working on its proposal almost two years ago, informing residents the site could be developed. The firm said many of the factory’s boarded-up buildings were purpose-built for Johnsons and are no longer suitable for modern business.

The site, within walking distance of Bootle town centre, is also surrounded by houses, meaning plans for industrial use may not pass stringent new tests.

Sefton council’s planning committee was told the majority of residents supported the scheme, as well as the preservation of the main Johnsons building.

Committee chairman Ian Moncur said: “These proposals secure a sustainable future for this large site and provide a range of modern new homes for the community.

“There has been a considerable amount of engagement with residents and this has brought about a scheme which has the support of the majority of local people.

“It is another example of major housing investment in south Sefton and will no doubt play its part in the continued resurgence of Bootle.”

The firm’s links with Merseyside date back to 1817 when the Johnson Brothers launched as silk dyers. The firm, which is now the country’s biggest dry-cleaning operation, left its Bootle HQ for new premises in Prescot earlier this year.

They're moving the HQ to London soon as well.

They're moving the HQ to London soon as well.

I worked there for 17 years in their computer department from 1979 onwards and had a great time on average but chances to further utilies the local location where ignored as further UK regional companies where bought out and intergrated into a national company - so very sad to see them now turn their back on the area that consolidated them.

The `Paciific Pub` attached to the building was however a gem......rough in it`s way but ever ready for a good time.

And the making of them.

Public inquiry begins today to determine future of former Garden Festival site
Oct 30 2007 by Larry Neild, Liverpool Daily Post

BATTLE lines will be drawn today when a public inquiry opens in Liverpool to determine the future of the former International Garden Festival site at Otterspool.

Developers Langtree and McLean will be out-lining their vision for a £250m scheme to build more than 1,300 homes on part of the festival site, with the restoration of the one-time spectac-ular gardens as part of the entire project.

Protesters plan to unveil a huge banner made by local children at the start of the three-day public inquiry at the Britannia Adelphi Hotel. The Save Our Festival Gardens Campaign group plan to argue that the green wedge on the river bank should be preserved as public parkland.

The Langtree McLean consortium will argue the new homes – mostly eight-storey apartment blocks, along with 68 traditional houses – are needed to raise cash for the restoration of the 56-acre garden site that will become public parkland.

The inquiry was ordered by former Local Government Secretary Ruth Kelly after the scheme was called in for government scrutiny. A planning inspector will take evidence and visit the site before making a recommenda-tion to Ms Kelly’s successor, Hazel Blears.

The scheme is sup-ported by Liverpool City Council which see the proposals as a way of restoring the derelict garden site to its former glory. It would revive the spectacular ornamental Chinese and Japanese gardens.

Last night local coun-cillor Steve Munby said he will oppose the pro-posals, describing the scheme and parkland as a disaster in the making. “I feel that a new public park is not desirable. We cannot afford to look after existing parks in our city. There is far more scope to create a low level nature area, maybe linked to eco-activity.

St Michael’s councillor John Coyne, the city’s sole Green Party politician, will also be raising concerns about the project during the hearing.

-------------------------

I think this has a thread of its own but I can't find it.

Steve Munby's comments provide a useful illustration of the forward thinking, can do attitude that the Labour is famous for in this city.

Well if Mumby can come up with the money for it, assuming taxpayers won't have to pay for it of course, then he is welcome to propose his ideas, somehow i think he will fail.

I would say get rid of the 68 traditional houses and have taller blocks or one more block covering less land, as i would agree with as much open space as possible, and some development is tho only way, unless a generous millionaire wants to do it for nothing in return.

Europe’s biggest print plant could double in size
Oct 31 2007 by Alistair Houghton, Liverpool Daily Post

A SPEKE printing plant that is already one of Merseyside’s biggest foreign investment projects could double in size and employ up to 1,000 people.

German printing company Prinovis opened Europe’s largest gravure printing plant in Speke after a £120m investment.

The site, which boasts three of the largest presses in the world, already has more than 400 staff and employment is set to peak at 420 when it is fully operational next year.

The existing plant, including its own natural gas power station, only takes up 30 acres of the 50-acre site.

Since it started printing last year Prinovis says the plant has proved a great success, with products ranging from glossy magazines such as OK! to catalogues for companies such as Argos and Ikea.

Managing director Richard Gray, who joined the business just weeks ago, confirmed that if its

success continues the company would be able to use the excess land to expand and create hundreds more jobs.

He said: “You can see from the size of the site that there’s an opportu-nity to double or even go up to 60%. We could employ 1,000 people in Liverpool in printing.”

Prinovis is a venture between German printing company Arvato and publishing companies Gruner & Jahr and Axel Springer.

The company chose to build a plant in the UK to meet what it called a “clear undersupply” in the printing market. Speke was chosen because of its road and air links and the “rate and scale of regenera-tion” in Liverpool.

The plant was visited last week by Trade and Enterprise Minister Lord Digby Jones, who praised the quality of Merseyside workers such as those at the super-efficient Jaguar/LandRover plant at Halewood.

Mr Gray said any expansion at Prinovis would come in stages and would depend on the state of the market.

He said: “We would hope to grow the site in terms of its size, volume, and employees, but the commercial conditions would have to be right for that.

“Firstly, we have to settle down the existing first phase. Then we’ll look at the business case in the future.”

^^^^^ More really shit journalism.... this was the front cover of the business week supplement. "speke firm in 600 new jobs" they ran the same article the other day with a different spin.!

Might as well have a headline saying small company hopes to be as big as coca cola.... more really poor jounalism... reading the article above at face value.... new jobs are hardly imminent are they!

Public inquiry begins today to determine future of former Garden Festival site
Oct 30 2007 by Larry Neild, Liverpool Daily Post

BATTLE lines will be drawn today when a public inquiry opens in Liverpool to determine the future of the former International Garden Festival site at Otterspool.

Developers Langtree and McLean will be out-lining their vision for a £250m scheme to build more than 1,300 homes on part of the festival site, with the restoration of the one-time spectac-ular gardens as part of the entire project.

Protesters plan to unveil a huge banner made by local children at the start of the three-day public inquiry at the Britannia Adelphi Hotel. The Save Our Festival Gardens Campaign group plan to argue that the green wedge on the river bank should be preserved as public parkland.

The Langtree McLean consortium will argue the new homes – mostly eight-storey apartment blocks, along with 68 traditional houses – are needed to raise cash for the restoration of the 56-acre garden site that will become public parkland.

The inquiry was ordered by former Local Government Secretary Ruth Kelly after the scheme was called in for government scrutiny. A planning inspector will take evidence and visit the site before making a recommenda-tion to Ms Kelly’s successor, Hazel Blears.

The scheme is sup-ported by Liverpool City Council which see the proposals as a way of restoring the derelict garden site to its former glory. It would revive the spectacular ornamental Chinese and Japanese gardens.

Last night local coun-cillor Steve Munby said he will oppose the pro-posals, describing the scheme and parkland as a disaster in the making. “I feel that a new public park is not desirable. We cannot afford to look after existing parks in our city. There is far more scope to create a low level nature area, maybe linked to eco-activity.

St Michael’s councillor John Coyne, the city’s sole Green Party politician, will also be raising concerns about the project during the hearing.

-------------------------

I think this has a thread of its own but I can't find it.

Steve Munby's comments provide a useful illustration of the forward thinking, can do attitude that the Labour is famous for in this city.

I`m all in favour of this development even though I was an `IGF` guide for the duration of the 1984 festival.

Locals turned their back on it after it finished and would not even give the necessary support to the `Festival Gardens`..... NIMBYS one and all.

£2.5m to restore Britain's first mosque
Nov 1 2007 by Mary Murtagh, Liverpool Echo

A £2.5m project has been launched to restore Britain’s first mosque.

The derelict grade II listed Georgian Brougham Terrace in Tuebrook is set to be transformed into a heritage and education centre.

The project is a tribute to Liverpool lawyer William Henry Quilliam, who converted to Islam after visiting Morocco in 1887 and changed his name to Abdullah Quilliam.

Two years later he opened the country’s first mosque and established a large congregation of fellow English converts.

Now almost 120 years on, the Abdullah Quilliam Society has kick-started a fundraising campaign to restore the historic place of worship to its former glory.

Last night the appeal got off to a flying start at a special dinner at the Athenaeum, attended by dignitaries including Rt Rev James Jones, Anglican Bishop of Liverpool, and Sir Iqbal Sacranie OBE, chairman of the Muslim Council of Britain.

Mr Mumin Khan, chief executive of the Abdullah Quilliam Heritage Centre, said: “The mosque is of national and international importance and we don’t want to lose it. The centre we want to create will act as a bridge between the Muslim and non-Muslim world and dispel some of the myths about Islam.”

The centre will have a library, regular lectures and artefacts.

The mosque’s community dissolved in 1908, when Quilliam moved to Turkey. The terrace was subsequently used as a register office.

^^^^ thats excellent new Paul

£14m Stanley Park works start next week
Nov 8 2007 by Nick Coligan, Liverpool Echo

THE long-awaited restoration of Liverpool’s historic Stanley Park will begin next week.

After the city council approved Liverpool FC’s new stadium they confirmed a start date for the £14m revamp of parts of the park not swallowed up by the 60,000-seater ground.

Bridges, walls, fencing, gates, pavilions, the bandstand and park lodge will be repaired and refurbished to try to attract families back into the Anfield park.

The 108-year-old Isla Gladstone conservatory, derelict since the 1980s, will be turned into north Liverpool’s version of the Sefton Park palm house.

There will also be significant landscaping work and a lake will be reintroduced to provide somewhere for outdoor games and education.

Although the project was approved by councillors last month, work will start in earnest on Monday.

Cllr Berni Turner, executive member for the environment, said: “This is an ambitious project which will return the park to its former glory.

“The improvements mean the park will now offer something for everyone and improve the quality of life for many residents in the area.

“We want to encourage as many people as possible to get out into the city’s parks and gardens and make the most of the green havens on their doorsteps.”

Stanley Park was designed in 1866 by Edward Kemp, the creator of Sefton and Birkenhead parks, but in recent years has fallen into disrepair and suffered at the hands of vandals.

Its restoration was a crucial part of Liverpool FC being allowed to build a new stadium on the southern section of the park.

The project will also see thinning, dangerous trees switched with young replacements, while public toilets, improved car parking and CCTV will also be installed.

The work, paid for with government and European money, should be finished in early 2009.

George McLellan, from Friends of Stanley Park, spoke about the restoration plan at the council meeting where Liverpool FC’s stadium proposal was rubber-stamped.

He said: “I am told it will take up to 15 months, but I think that is a short time to restore a park.

“I do not want quality to be pushed to one side to suit the timescale and the glasshouse to be falling down again in 10 years’ time.”

This should placate people grumbling about having to wait til Spring for proof that the stadium dream is finally a reality.

It may also placate some who arent wholly convinced about the benefits of the project.

The New Heartlands scheme, arguably, might have been all right if Liverpool had stayed in a spiral dive. It didn't but the juggernaut had left the depot and wasn't for turning.

A report (summarised DP-style below) was discussed on the Today programme this morning. The politico-civil service-speak being uttered by whoever it was they had on defending New Hearlands was insulting to anyone with a few neurons still firing. Even when direct evidence that contadicted his claims was presented he still insisted that it was a success.

Here's the DP version:


Residents’ pleas ignored over Welsh Streets plans

Nov 9 2007 by Rob Merrick, Liverpool Daily Post
The house in Madryn Street, Liverpool, where Ringo Starr grew up

THE £190m scheme to revive Merseyside’s housing market planned to bulldoze too many homes and failed to listen carefully to residents’ wishes, a damning report says today.

The National Audit Office highlights a series of weaknesses in the controversial New Heartlands “housing renewal” scheme, covering 130,000 homes across Liverpool, Sefton and Wirral.

The watchdog picks out the Merseyside scheme – one of nine across the North and Midlands – for creating “heightened stress” in neighbourhoods earmarked for demolition.

Its report criticises a failure, in the first years of the scheme, to assess whether homes should be saved because of their importance to national heritage.

And, specifically, it questions the consultation that led to the hotly-fought decision to bulldoze 444 red-brick terraced houses in the Welsh Streets, in Dingle.

New Heartlands is now considering saving 57 of those homes – including Ringo Starr’s childhood home on Madryn Street – after a heritage assessment.

In particular, the NAO questions the decision to demolish after a survey found only a narrow majority – 52% to 48% – in favour.

And it queries why that survey included residents in the surrounding Princes Park area, when it was not those residents’ homes facing the bulldozer.

Toby Evans, the NAO’s audit manager, who visited the Welsh Streets, said: “You have to be very careful claiming majority support on the basis of 52% versus 48%.

“Some of the residents we spoke to said the word redevelopment was used to describe the proposal, when what was planned was demolition.”

David Corner, the NAO’s director, said key recommen-dations – that surveys should be in demolition zones only and not use “redevelopment” to describe demolition – flowed directly from the Welsh Streets visit.

The report also highlighted how the number of homes earmarked for demolition across Merseyside had nearly halved, from 21,000 to just 11,000.

Last night, New Heartlands hit back strongly, insisting it worked long and hard to accurately gauge opinion on the Welsh Streets’ demolition and schemes elsewhere.

Pauline Davis, the organisation’s managing director, said: “I’m confident we have the support of the majority of the community for our plans in the Welsh Streets.

“It was not just a single survey that was taken and it was not just about clearance. That’s why Princes Park was included, because it is part of the broader neighbourhood.”

Ms Davis also defended the decision to halve the number of planned demolitions, which was partly due to the housing market bouncing back.

There was backing for New Heartlands from Louise Ellman, the Riverside MP whose constituency includes the Welsh Streets, who said: “There was no way of pleasing everybody. There was a very big division of opinion and some people were very opposed, but I know of others who have been rehoused and are very pleased with their new homes.”

Much of the NAO’s report makes general criticisms of nine so-called “Pathfinder” projects, including New Heartlands, describing the whole idea – costing £2.2bn – as “high risk”.

The Pathfinder neighbourhoods had succeeded in narrowing the house-price gap with surrounding areas, but it was “unclear” whether the programme itself was the cause.

Worryingly, the average compensation for residents being rehoused fell £35,000 short of the cost of a new home locally.

Government targets require New Heartlands to narrow the gap in vacancy rates between its pathfinder neighbourhoods and the wider region by one third by 2010. Between 2002 and 2006, that gap rose by 7%, although that might be explained by short-term purchases for work to be carried out.

It's easy to forget that this scheme is refurbishing four times as many houses as it is knocking down. So generally they are keeping what is worth keeping and demolishing the very worst streets, generally with the support of most local people.

Personally I think it is still going too far, and sometimes they should just help residents who want demolition to move & then refurbish the house for someone else! However there are a number of streets, like those at the top of Smithdown Road, that where too far gone 10 years ago and they just need to get on with demolishing them.

but it seems to be taking forever.... thats my problem with it!

BUILDING work on a £10m leisure complex set to transform Widnes waterfront into a new leisure destination will start early next year after the scheme was given the green light by councillors.

Halton Borough Council has given detailed planning consent for the scheme by Widnes Regeneration, the joint venture between the council and St Modwen Properties.

The scheme, in the Widnes Waterfront regeneration area, will include a five-screen Reel cinema, an ice-rink, 24-lane bowling alley, restaurants and retail units.

Widnes Regeneration says work on the project will start in January and is set to be finished by the end of the year.

The development had been known as The Wave, but the Widnes Waterfront website is now running a competition to give it a new name. Richard Bakes, development manager at St Modwen, said: “It is good news that the project has been given this further boost.

“We still have a couple of issues to settle with the Environment Agency prior to starting on site.

“We are working closely with Halton Borough Council to achieve this as soon as possible and indeed it is only that close co-operation that has enabled us to progress this project so far.

“The complex nature of the issues involved on this site would have daunted the faint-hearted but the encouragement and support we have received from the council has kept the project going, leading to the expectation of an early start on site.”

Halton council leader Tony McDermott said: “This news is another significant step toward providing the people of Halton with high-quality leisure facilities that the area deserves.

“The development will regenerate a large part of Widnes Waterfront and will create employment opportunities for the people of the borough.

“To provide a new leisure destination, especially the cinema and ice-rink, in Widnes has been an aspiration for Halton for a number of years and we are now making giant strides towards the realisation of this objective.

“Developments of this complexity can take a long time to organise but, we are very pleased to report that we have now overcome another hurdle which will enable building work to start in 2008.”

Image from Move Commercial, part of Project Jennifer, this is City Point 27,500 sq feet of grade A office space, divided into 16 self contained office suites with car parking, to be built on Great Homer St. it will be very interesting to see how the lettings go on this development, it is being advertised as 1 mile from the city centre.


http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/2672/jenvs8.jpg

Looks smart, would love to see all those shitty 70/80s low level units around there replaced with at least this sort of stuff.

Cheers Doug for the render, very interesting Grade A offices being built just outside the city centre, I hope its a success. The city planners are keen to see industry and commerce north of the city centre ,they fear the spread of apartments creeping into areas that should be zoned for jobs.

BUILDING work on a £10m leisure complex set to transform Widnes waterfront into a new leisure destination will start early next year after the scheme was given the green light by councillors.
"


I did have a render of this someplace, but it was so depressingly out of town retail park, I sorta lost intrest!

yes, I know it's Widee, but even so...

Those flats in Runcorn river front look good mind

Not surprised this has been knocked back.

Proposal for Bard theatre quashed (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/merseyside/7094056.stm)

those offices will be a great addition and will be a success if competitively priced rent wise

Here we go on £200m facelift!
Nov 20 2007 by Nick Coligan, Liverpool Echo

WORK has started on a £200m project to completely rebuild huge areas of a Merseyside community.

Over the next 10 years, bulldozers will clear 525 homes, two primary schools and a number of shops in Huyton.

In their place, 1,450 properties will be built, alongside new shops, community buildings and a jobs training centre.

The work, which began last month after years of planning, should transform a 195-acre site, including the pre-World War IIestates of Hillside, Woolfall North and South, Finch House and Fincham.

The ultimate aim is to improve the quality and choice of housing for residents, change perceptions of north Huyton and create a knock-on effect for jobs and education.

The project follows north Huyton’s inclusion in the government’s New Deal for Communities programme in 2001, which saw money ploughed into the area.

Cllr Ron Round, leader of Knowsley council, said: “Over the past few years, we have worked with residents to create a blueprint for the future, with better quality homes, improved environment and easy access to community facilities.

“It has been wonderful to see how involved residents have become in the whole process.

“It means we can be sure that these regeneration works will provide a bright future for the area and all those who live there, both now and in the future.”

The first phase of the scheme will see 391 new houses built around the Hillside estate and former Beechwood school.

Existing residents will have the first option to buy properties as they are completed.

Much of the development area has already been cleared, while other houses are empty and awaiting demolition.

As well as new housing, formal open space will be laid out and improvements made to main roads including Liverpool Road and Seth Powell Way, including new junctions.

Although St Dominic’s junior school will be lost, along with the now-closed Beechwood primary, a new school will be built on part of the site.

And Page Moss library, which was originally earmarked for demolition, will now survive.

Later phases of the development will be submitted to the council over the next few years.

Thanku for the update Paul,
its nice to hear that housing is on the list for renewal/improvement, schools and community centers too! very nice, its the people that make the city what it is after all.
kat:)

Here is a picture of part of that area, Hillside Huyton, this is now grass, and where you can see grass in the picture there was similar housing in a similar state.

Don't know the reasons for it getting into such a state, but the new build will be an improvement.


http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/8316/zhillsideavehuytondereljx7.jpg

Not surprised this has been knocked back.

Proposal for Bard theatre quashed (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/merseyside/7094056.stm)

Grrrrrrr..........

A pity to be sure.

New year start for Otterspool promenade restoration
Nov 26 2007 by Catherine Jones, Liverpool Echo

WORK starts in January on a £1.3m restoration of Otterspool Promenade.

The work will form a second phase of the Mersey Waterfront’s Pride in Our Promenades initiative.

The project has already seen £1.8m in improvements including a mile of new railings, a fitness trail, and vehicle restrictions. The next section of the regeneration plan is along the Dingle Esplanade.

There will be an extension to the railings and lighting improvements.

City gets more than 900 new jobs

Liverpool company TJ Morris has been given the go-ahead for a £35m investment which will see the creation of about 920 new jobs in the city.
The city council passed plans for the company to expand its distribution centre at Axis Business Park in the Gillmoss area.

TJ Morris, who trade as Home Bargains, said the expansion would enable them to service 350 stores across the UK.

About 700 jobs will be created on site and 220 in the wider business area.

I have a soft spot for Home Bargains. I love their store formats, especially the new out of town ones.

I have a soft spot for Home Bargains. I love their store formats, especially the new out of town ones.

T J Morris is a home grown business too,they started off with a single store in Old Swan so good luck to them.

Scheme set to develop baths site
Jan 29 2008 by David Bartlett, Liverpool Daily Post

THE site of a former Victorian swimming baths is to be re-developed into apartments, it emerged last night.

Liverpool City Council is to sell off the former Westminster Road Baths site, in Kirkdale, for around £500,000.

Contract Time Ltd, a Liverpool firm, are now planning to build 16 apartments on the site, and under the terms of the contract have to start work within three years.

The baths, which opened in 1877, were in public use until about 10 years ago.

Then until 2005 the swimming pool was used by a diving club, before the baths were eventually demolished in late 2006.

Merseyside Fire and Rescue had originally agreed to buy the site to build a new station for Kirkdale.

But, following talks with staff at the Kirkdale station, fire officials decided to re-develop the current station in Derby Road.

The designs for that scheme are currently being drawn up by the brigade.

The deal means Contract Time get a 125-year lease of the site, and subject to satisfactory completion of the works within four years gives the company the right to acquire the freehold for £1.

New chapter for old library
Feb 2 2008 by Ben Turner, Liverpool Echo

A £1.3m MAKEOVER of Toxteth library has won the go-ahead.

The grade II listed building on Windsor Street was opened in 1902 and attracts more than 1,000 people a week.

Liverpool council agreed to the work after winning part of an £80m investment by the Big Lottery Fund to widen community learning.

The money will be spent on refurbishing and upgrading the building, new meeting and study rooms, exhibition space, toilets, baby- changing facilities, IT equipment, a refreshment area and a performance space.

Building work is due to start in July, and a temporary mobile library will be provided until the building reopens in December.

Executive member for leisure Cllr Colin Eldridge said: “Libraries are much more than just books these days, and it is great a deprived area is getting state-of-the-art provision like this.

“It will benefit the whole community from pupils to pensioners, and by upgrading the building I am sure it will prove to be a real positive landmark.”

Bloody hell, no wonder the Edge Lane CPO is taking so long.

www.persona.uk.com/edgelane/index.htm

Thats a lot of paperwork...

Apparently hoardings have gone up around the former Kwik Save store on Overton Street in Edge Hill, ready to turn the store into a new Tesco Express. Hopefully it'll bring a bit more life back into the area. If it weren't for Taskers, that area would be pretty much dead. Although it's not the best re-development, it will enhance the area both in terms of activity, bringing an unused building back into use, and will provide a food store, something that together with the Iceland and Netto down the road, should reduce the need for people to travel further afield for food shopping.

It looks like a planning application has gone in for the wasteland at the corner of Queens Drive and East Prescot Road opposite Wetherspoon's. I seem to recall this land was on the Echo's Top 100 grotpots list a while ago, so it's good to see some plans being put forward for this site which has lain empty for far too long.

From the Planning Explorer -

To erect new building with a total of 16 no. flats comprising 7 no. 3 bedroom, 7 no. two bedroom and 2 no. one bedroom with ground floor garden, communal roof terrace, basement parking and cycle storage

Thoughts?

It looks like a planning application has gone in for the wasteland at the corner of Queens Drive and East Prescot Road opposite Wetherspoon's. I seem to recall this land was on the Echo's Top 100 grotpots list a while ago, so it's good to see some plans being put forward for this site which has lain empty for far too long.

From the Planning Explorer -



Thoughts?

At the junction of two major roads!, i wonder if they'll have balcony's?

Regeneration has a star performer
Feb 14 2008 by Gerry Corner, Liverpool Echo

A LANDMARK tower is taking shape at arguably Merseyside's most ambitious new mixed-use development.

Stella Nova, being created by Dreaming Spires Ltd, is due for completion in February next year and the gateway development is seen as an important part of Bootle's regeneration.

Already 85% of the residential units are sold and retail units, which may also be suitable as ground floor offices, are being let through Knight Frank and joint agent Mowbray Gill.

Up to eight units are available for retail use, though some can be combined.

Knight Frank's team in Liverpool has described the scheme on Washington Parade as a pivotal development for the town.

The tower will be a new landmark and the fact that the city centre is less than 10 minutes away is attracting major interest.

A new Asda superstore will open in Bootle directly behind Stella Nova in the summer.

A mixed-use development opportunity near Liverpool city centre has been put on the market by Knight Frank with a £1.5m guide price.

The site on St Anne Street has full planning permission for the demolition of an existing warehouse and office building and the construction of a development providing a mix of light industrial, retail, office and residential space.

For more information contact Graham Bowling at Knight Frank on 0151 236 1101 or log on to www.knightfrank.com

It looks like a planning application has gone in for the wasteland at the corner of Queens Drive and East Prescot Road opposite Wetherspoon's. I seem to recall this land was on the Echo's Top 100 grotpots list a while ago, so it's good to see some plans being put forward for this site which has lain empty for far too long.

From the Planning Explorer -

Thoughts?

How will you get into the Highfield?

^^

Presumably a small alleyway or similar access will be maintained at the rear of the site for this purpose. Looking at the aerial view of the site, I don't think this will create much of a problem.

Has anyone taken pictures of the Stella Nova apartments in Bootle?

Haven't been round that neck of the woods in ages. The renders don't seem anything particularly special but investment and development of that size is more than welcome outside the city centre.

Stella nova looks like horse shittles

Are horse shittles small shits from a horse or full size shits from a small horse?

In ether case maybe donkey poo would have fitted the bill!

eyeam, check the Bootle thread.

Are horse shittles small shits from a horse or full size shits from a small horse?

In ether case maybe donkey poo would have fitted the bill!

Aye:lol:

£10m golf course aims to be class act
Feb 20 2008 by Nick Coligan, Liverpool Echo

LIVERPOOL’S newest golf course would be the centrepiece of a sports park earmarked for derelict school premises.

A developer wants to create a “pay-as-you-play” nine-hole course on the site of the former Lee Manor high school, in Belle Vale.

The facility, which would include a practice area, putting green, clubhouse and crazy golf section, has been in the pipeline for more than two years.

Now a detailed plan for the £10m complex, to be known as Liverpool Sports Park, is finally set to be approved by councillors next week.

The scheme also includes a fishing lake, a “trim trail” for runners and cyclists, 11 all-weather floodlit football pitches and car parking.

The school’s derelict sports hall,would be refurbished and brought back into use.

If councillors do back the scheme for the Childwall Valley Road site, work would start on the golf course and fishing lake almost immediately so they could open late next year.

A council report says the sports park would bring a range of activities to the area which are currently unavailable.

It says: “The different types of games offered at the golf course are specifically designed to attract people of different skill levels, age groups and incomes, something that is not directly catered for at the nearby golf courses.”

A spokesman for Liverpool Sports Park plc said: “We are pleased to have reached this stage in the progression of the scheme. Subject to planning permission, we are looking forward to starting on site.”

This is a great development. This, coupled with the Croxteth Park Kamikazee Ropeamjig approved recently is bringing more recreational activities to places where there is not as much investment going on. It's nice to see investment beyond the city core.

eyeam, check the Bootle thread.

Will do, Doug. :)

Shed KM’s Liverpool vision

Building Design

http://www.bdonline.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=426&storycode=3106468&c=1
^^includes image

Shed KM’s has unveiled its £26 million vision for one of Liverpool’s most famous landmarks, the former Littlewoods building on the eastern gateway to the city.

The practice is working with Urban Splash which won a developer competition in 2005.

Project architect Alan Cross, said Shed KM’s proposals retained the “essence” of the building — the main facade, the two bookends, and the 38m tower — while demolishing smaller units on the site.

More than 270 residential units are to be built within the existing structure over the next three years.

http://www.bdonline.co.uk/Pictures/336xAny/w/a/r/littlewoods_image_ready.jpg

That a new render? Not bad.

I'm really glad the main art deco building is being refurbished and some life brought back to it. Old news really but still good to see the project is ticking along.

http://www.bdonline.co.uk/Pictures/336xAny/w/a/r/littlewoods_image_ready.jpg

That a new render? Not bad.

I'm really glad the main art deco building is being refurbished and some life brought back to it. Old news really but still good to see the project is ticking along.

Please tell me that's the back of the building! They can't do that to the front surely?!! :nono:

Thanks for posting that eyeam, it looks great. And it certainly gives the impression of the rear end of a building, so it must be surely. Still, itl let pleanty of natural light in and still retains its deco feel as you mentioned. I likes.

Ok, on second looks, I can't see the clock face on that tower, so I'm pretty sure it is the back... pheeww!

I don't like it one bit. :bash: It's the Everton approach to rennovation - (more or less) rennovate the front and fuck over the back of the building - describing it as a dynamic and creative tension brought about by the juxtapositioning of the classic and the modern. It looks like one of the less successful designs for the St Paul's Sq area.

The top of this thread says Page 17 of 18 yet when I click on page 18 I am being redirected to page 17 for some reason.

Pretty sure that means your at the end of the page and going onto the next...

Ah ha! See. :lol:

Funds pledged to regenerate Merseyside homes

Ministers yesterday pledged £152m to NewHeartlands, the largest treasury grant of 12 handed out to regeneration schemes across the country.

The first £54m installment will go towards work planned over the next 12 months, with a further £51m in 2009 and £47m in 2010.

[more (http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2008/02/29/funds-pledged-to-regenerate-merseyside-homes-100252-20541047/)]

Private equity money targets Norris Green
Mar 12 2008 by Bill Gleeson, Liverpool Daily Post

TWO private equity firms are to speculate tens of millions of pounds to develop land in some of Liverpool’s most deprived districts.

West Coast Capital and LXB3 are to invest £60m in land development in Norris Green and Dovecot.

The two private investment firms will launch a joint venture today with Liverpool City Council as part of a deal that could attract a total of £300m of investment.

The council and Inpartnership, a company backed by Scottish tycoon Sir Tom Hunter, will launch the new InLiverpool joint venture at the massive MIPIM property festival, in Cannes.

InLiverpool will bring currently derelict land back into use and attract developers to build new housing there.

Officials hope the scheme will encourage up to £200m of development in Norris Green and £100m in Dovecot – and InLiverpool could work in other areas of the city if the first projects prove successful.

Developers are now being sought to build houses according to a masterplan developed by the partnership in consultation with the community.

Speaking to the Daily Post in Cannes yesterday, InLiverpool chair Cllr Flo Clucas said: "We believe this is a unique way of doing business that not only regenerates communities but brings land that may lie fallow for many years back into use for the benefit of communities.

"It's also a way of bringing private sector investment in partnership with the council for the long term.

"It's a double win for the council. We bring high-quality land back into use and secondly we have the potential to enhance what's happening in those communities."

InLiverpool will be financed by Inpartnership with the land provided by Liverpool City Council.

The new partnership will clear up the land and provide any infrastructure needed, such as new roads.

The land can then be sold on to developers at a higher price than it would have fetched if sold as derelict.

The profit the partnership makes will then be ploughed back into the communities in which it works.

Inpartnership's investors are private equity firms West Coast Capital and LXB³.

West Coast Cap- ital's joint founder was Sir Tom Hunter, who built the Sports Division chain into one of the UK's leading sports retailers before selling his £260m stake 10 years ago.

WCC's invest- ment portfolio includes the USC and Office retail chains and Travelodge.

Inpartnership managing director Duncan Sutherland said he expected his company, which has a total UK investment fund of £1bn, would invest up to £60m in the project.

He said: “Communities will be very much involved in what happens in their areas. It's a three-way partnership between us, the community and the city council.

“There are business opportunities there for people.

“I'm willing to talk to anybody about coming in as long as we get the quality we need."

The 63 acres in Norris Green and 30 in Dovecot include land that lies either derelict or semi-derelict, including areas where derelict council housing now stands.

InLiverpool's board is set to approve its business plan next month, after which a planning application will be submitted for the first phase of the develop- ment.

Interstthis one. Could be great news if it brings real results.

Fury’s school site apartment to get retro treatment

Mar 13 2008 by Laura Sharpe, Liverpool Daily Post

A FUNKY retro shop in south Liverpool has been asked to style an apartment on the site of Billy Fury’s school.

George Mensah, owner of Retro Love Deluxe Ltd, on Smithdown Road, is preparing to create a unique show apartment filled with iconic pieces from 1957-1964.

His apartment, which will contain 75%riginal pieces of furniture and householder items, is one of 38 apartments and 12 penthouses on Wellington Place.

Records for the building date back to a school in the 1830s which later became Wellington Road Secondary School for Boys.

Billy Fury, then known as Ronnie Wycherley, attended the school to the age of 15 before his legendary rock and roll career began.

Mr Mensah said: “It’s great to be involved with a high specification development that reflects the trend and popularity of items from the 50s, 60s and 70s.

“The apartment won’t be kitsch or over the top decked out from floor to ceiling, it’s all about modern living. The people buying these apartments don’t want a mangle or an old grandfather clock in their home, they want practical items which have style and are easy to use and clean.”

HomesHub, the government agent for affordable housing across Merseyside approached Mr Mensah after deciding to fit their first apartment in a quirky style in keeping with the building’s unique history.

Plans are still being finalised, but Mr Mensah hopes to put items including a television, comfy chairs, dining table and lighting in the open-plan apartment alongside spiky shaped clocks, cow skins and a funky silver juicer.

Mr Mensah said: “Anyone can get an interior designer to fill a house with items from chainstores, but I can provide unique pieces sourced from a network of people I call my runners.

“Demand for items from the 50s through to the 80s has soared this last year as people look for key quality items.”

As well as building companies and homeowners looking for exclusive interior pieces, Mr Mensah has rented items for use on film and television including Channel 4’s Shameless and Diesel Jeans.

Joann Morfee, HomesHub sales and marketing officer said: “The building is very unique and has a lot of history.

“As the former school of Billy Fury, and with its place in Liverpool’s history, we decided it should be fitted in a unique and quirky style.”

The apartments and 10 townhouses are being built by Plus Housing and many will be available through shared ownership schemes.


:cheers:

Didn't someone make a movie about Billy Fury? He was so much better than that Anglo-Indian popster, Cliff Richard.

UK’s first mosque to get £2.5m repair work
Mar 13 2008 by Mary Murtagh, Liverpool Echo

WORK has started on a £2.5m project to restore Britain’s first mosque.

The derelict grade II listed Georgian Brougham Terrace in Tuebrook is to be transformed into a heritage and education centre.

This month work began on treating the dry rot in the timbers and repairing the roof to make it watertight.

Now fundraisers are facing a race against time to raise £150,000 to cover the cost of the work.

The project is a tribute to Liverpool lawyer William Henry Quilliam, who converted to Islam after visiting Morocco in 1887 and changed his name to Abdullah Quilliam.

£280m homes deal unveiled at property event
Mar 13 2008

HUNDREDS of homes are to be built on the old Boot estate in Norris Green and in Dovecot.

City council bosses have struck a multi-million pound deal with Manchester developer Inpartnership to deliver a £200m facelift for Norris Green, and an £80m housing project in Dovecot.

The company also hopes to carry out some work for Liverpool Mutual Homes, the housing association which takes over 11,000 city council properties at the end of the month.

Inpartnership unveiled the link-up with the council, called “InLiverpool”, on Liverpool’s stand at the Mipim property event in the French resort of Cannes.

Plans for new Aldi store in Old Swan
Mar 13 2008 by Nick Coligan, Liverpool Echo

A NEW supermarket is earmarked for the site of a former college building in Liverpool.

Aldi wants to open the store at the one-time Liverpool community college premises in Broad Green Road, Old Swan.

The building closed last year and is now boarded up.

The plan would see the current complex demolished and replaced with the supermarket and two other shops, 14 flats above them, and five houses and three more flats alongside.

Town hall planners have recommended the proposal for approval. Councillors will have the final say next Tuesday.

^^

The application lodged by Aldi is just for outline planning permission. Another application will have to be lodged before work can commence. However I hope this doesn't take too long, as I passed by the old college site earlier, and it's really starting to look a right state. From reading the planning report, this will be a 'custom' build, with apartments above the store, rather than a 'standard' Aldi build like the ones on Smithdown Road or East Prescot Road for example. This is good as it will fit in more comfortably with the existing properties in the area. Hopefully Aldi already have the more detailed application ready to roll for when this application is confirmed.

From the Echo -


Belle Vale’s revamp

Apr 2 2008 by Staff Reporter, Liverpool Echo

WORK began this week to revamp Belle Vale Shopping Centre.

The expansion is part of the on-going re-development of the Belle Vale area and will provide 150 new jobs.

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2008/04/02/belle-vale-s-revamp-100252-20705649/

Anyone know how this will work? I know there's some empty units down there, but I don't see how they can easily expand the centre.

^^

I'll answer my own question. Apparently the area of car park immediately outside the entrance to the shopping centre has been cordoned off, and the tarmac removed. As such it would appear the centre will be expanded by means of moving the main entrance forward onto an area of car park.

Also, in the Olympic Pool thread in the Construction Projects forum, we briefly touched on the topic of the wider Wellington Road area in Wavertree leaving rather a lot to be desired. Linked to that was the half-derelict Picton Road frontage. From what I've been told, part of this block has now been demolished (the end immediately next to Wellington Grove), and it looks like the property which first has it's unsafe facade removed some 15 years or more ago will be coming down this week.

^^

Linked to that was the half-derelict Picton Road frontage. From what I've been told, part of this block has now been demolished (the end immediately next to Wellington Grove), and it looks like the property which first has it's unsafe facade removed some 15 years or more ago will be coming down this week.

That's great news Chris. Seeing that site annoys me everytime I pass it!

^^

Indeed. It's one of those sites that even if they leave it empty, perhaps just gravelled over, it would still represent an improvement on the current situation. Given every business that locates into that block folds within a few months, and the questionable state of the rest of the block (check out the suspect roofline next time you're waiting at the traffic lights on Wellington Road) I think the whole block should be taken out. With the yards to the rear, it's a fair sized plot of land that I'm sure would lend itself to something worthwhile.

The Water Centre is starting at the end of the month.

THE lake at Sefton Water Centre will remain open for boaters while the new facilities are constructed, councillors decided yesterday.

There had been concern among sailing groups, including Crosby Scouts and Guides marina club, that if they were not able to access the lake during the popular summer months, their membership would suffer.

But Sefton’s cabinet voted to find £45,000 to staff facilities and keep it open.

A £720,000 water salination system will also be installed to regulate the quality of the water and combat blue-green algae.

Toxic blooms of the algae can cause the water to become too dangerous to use.

The decisions came on the day demolition contractor Oldham was due to finish its work and hand the cleared site back to the council.

Construction workers should begin building the £7.1m centre by the end of the month.

Cllr Lord Ronnie Fearn, Sefton’s cabinet member for leisure services, said it was a relief all groups were being catered for.

He said: “The scouts are happy, the sailors are happy and we are happy.”

The £45,000 will cover staffing, building a temporary jetty to replace the one that was demolished, accommodation and a rescue boat.

The lake will only close if there is another algal bloom, the likes of which was last seen only in January.

Last summer, the council had to close the lake because of risks from toxic blue-green algae.

Graham Bayliss, Sefton’s leisure services director, told cabinet members: “Last year, we had to take the unfortunate decision [to close] when the Environment Agency said the readings were so high that we could not allow use.

“There will be a time, probably later in the year, when we do have to close it, but that will be taken with the advice of the Environment Agency.”

It is hoped the salination system – which will pump sea water into the lake – will encourage mussels to thrive in the water.

They will act as a natural filtration system to remove the algae.

It will cost £550,000 to install and a further £170,000 to monitor the salt levels, power the pumps and build permanent frames at the edge of the lake to encourage mussels to grow.

Cllr Fearn added: “We have got to get the mussels back – there’s not many there.”

George Simpson, secretary of the Crosby Scout and Guide marina club, said: “We’re delighted that we can keep going.

“It would have had such a bad effect on the membership.”

The centre is scheduled to open in summer 2009.

It is hoped the it will be a mecca for both professional and amateur water sports enthusiasts.

It will include conference facilities, gym, wet and dry changing rooms, overnight accommodation for lake users, a cafe, boat storage, a workshop, and modern accommodation for existing clubs.

£19m hope in homes revamp
Apr 28 2008 by Nick Coligan, Liverpool Echo

THE DEMOLITION of homes around Liverpool FC’s stadium is set to happen five years early.

Hundreds of properties in Anfield are awaiting demolition so modern houses can be built in their place.

Much of the work was not due to happen for several years as other parts of the project were deemed a priority.

But community leaders are now celebrating after the government’s regeneration body, English Partnerships, said it would pump £19m into the scheme.

Although exact details have yet to be revealed, officials are confident it will help shave five years off the programme to bulldoze ageing terraces.

In some parts of Anfield, such as the V Streets, residents have complained clearance was not happening quickly enough, leaving properties vulnerable to vandals and arsonists.

English Partnerships will now team up with Liverpool council and Arena housing association to draw up a scheme to “accelerate the regeneration of the Anfield and Breckfield area”.

Its regional director Paul Spooner said its investment would be finalised after months of consultation of Anfield residents.

Cath Green, the council’s assistant housing director, said: “We have already committed considerable resources to this area and the intention is very much to continue to do so.

“The regeneration of an area like Anfield cannot be carried out in a piecemeal way, it requires involvement from everyone, including the community.

“Subject to the development of a robust business plan, we are all hopeful the plans can be accelerated.”

Anfield councillor Robbie Quinn welcomed the news, saying: “This project is the culmination of a long, hard struggle to turn the area around and I hope it will be a total regeneration, not just housing.”

An £89m plan to transform Anfield to replace about 1,600 terraced homes was unveiled more than three years ago.

A survey had found around one in seven houses in the area were officially unfit for human habitation, while almost one-quarter were in a serious state of repair.

Some parts of the project are well underway, such as the refurbishment of terraces in Tancred Road and demolition of properties in Lake Street and Anfield Road.

About 400 new or renovated homes are already finished.

I noticed today that a yellow tower crane was being erected by a portable yellow crane, behind some yellow hoardings, on the site of the forthcoming Big Yellow storage facility on Edge Lane, opposite Mill Lane. After this site being derelict for well over a decade, it's good to see it being brought back into use.

I noticed today that a yellow tower crane was being erected by a portable yellow crane, behind some yellow hoardings, on the site of the forthcoming Big Yellow storage facility on Edge Lane, opposite Mill Lane. After this site being derelict for well over a decade, it's good to see it being brought back into use.

Thats good news, was that a purple crane you say...!

Thats good news, was that a purple crane you say...!

:lol:

The yellow hoardings are perhaps understandable, but I thought it was really odd that both cranes were yellow too.

We were sniffing around Wavertree for a place to eat last night. Didn't find one. The High Street has got so much potential but it seems largely unrealised. Too much pubgrub if you get my drift. A bit more variety wouldn't go amiss.

If you didn't want pub grub you could have gone to the pizza takeaway near the railway bridge. ;) I do agree though. Picton Road has always been known for the quantity of pubs (now somewhat diminished) but has rather lacked good eateries. It's a lively area during the evening, so perhaps they are missing a trick? either that or they feel Smithdown Road around Penny Lane has the restaurant market sewn up?

I wondered that, too. It seemed to be a place for locals. Lots of places in Liverpool that are attractive seem to hide their light under their bushel! Why should Lark Lane/Smithdown Road/Allerton Road get all the action? There are lots of places across the city that are every bit as attractive. I quite like the Derby Lane/Stoneycroft vibe, and Walton's County Road is an unpolished gem.

New link for urban village
May 10 2008 by Helen Hunt, Liverpool Echo

LITHERLAND is getting a new canal bridge as part of a wider revamp of the area.

Sefton's planning committee has approved proposals to build an impressive new bridge to replace the outdated structure at the far end of Pennington Road.

The scheme is being funded through European Objective 1 and the Housing Market Renewal Initiative and will form a centre- piece for a new canalside ‘urban village’ being developed through a partnership between Sefton Council and developers Bellway.

Following a design competition, the judges, made up of community representatives and other agencies, chose architects Softroom, (with Eckersley O’Callaghan structural engineers) .

The planning committee learned that the existing bridge does not meet modern access standards and the new structure will restore a safe and high quality link for the local community.

Councillors were also told that a replacement bus service will be in place to help local children during the construction process.

^^Here's an article from 1st Jan 07:

Six to battle it out for Bootle bridge

The Architects' Journal (http://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/dailynews/six_to_battle_it_out_for_bootle_bridge.html)

A host of international architects have been shortlisted to design a new footbridge over the Leeds to Liverpool canal in Bootle, in Liverpool's Sefton area.

The shortlist includes Youssef Ghali from Egypt; B & C Associati from Italy; Arca from Manchester; and London's Chris Curtis & Elliott Wood, Hakes Associates, and Softroom.

The shortlist was whittled down from an original 88 entries to the RIBA competition, and they will now be invited to discuss their design concepts with a jury panel.

RIBA adviser Renato Benedetti said: 'We were delighted with the energetic response to the competition. The 88 entries showed a wide variety of approaches and solutions and the shortlist is interestingly diverse.

'We are looking forward to meeting the six shortlisted architects for the interview stage and selecting the winner.'

The improvement to the Leeds to Liverpool canal corridor is desperately needed. The site is a particularly rundown area of Bootle, one of the most dilapidated parts of the city.

Sefton Council member Lee Payne said: 'The interest in the competition has been amazing and really shows that the regeneration of south Sefton has captured the imagination.

'Choosing between the 88 designs was very difficult and is testament to the hard work put in by those who submitted entries.'

The remaining practices will battle it out in a competitive interview on 8 February.

Leeds-Liverpool canal footbridge

RIBA (http://www.architecture.com/NewsAndPress/News/CompetitionNews/Press/Results/2007/Leeds-LiverpoolCanalFootbridge.aspx)

Softroom Architects with Eckersley O'Callaghan Structural Engineers have been selected to design a new footbridge over the Leeds-Liverpool Canal in Bootle, Merseyside for Sefton Borough Council. The new footbridge will form part of a wider regeneration of the area, which will also include a new housing development.

88 entries were received for this international open design competition which were assessed anonymously at the first stage. Six schemes were then selected to go through to the second stage of the competition and invited to attend an interview to discuss their schemes with the jury panel.

The Jury Panel consisted of representatives from Housing Market Renewal at Sefton Borough Council, Residents from the local housing estate, British Waterways and Renato Benedetti, McDowell & Benedetti who acted as the RIBA Adviser.

Lee Payne, Housing Market Renewal, Sefton Borough Council commented:
"Choosing the winning design was a very difficult task as all of the short listed designs were of the highest quality. However, after much deliberation we decided that Softroom should be chosen as the competition winner. Softroom have produced a wonderfully elegant design that works very well on what is a constricted site. The Housing Market Renewal programme is about transforming communities into sustainable and attractive places to live, work and visit. This new bridge will play a major part in making this happen."

Renato Benedett, RIBA Adviser said: "When judging, it's a pleasure to see a clear and worthy winner emerge. Although the presentations / interviews of each shortlisted team were impressive, the Softroom proposal (with Eckersley O'Callaghan engineers) stood out. Its strong elegant form, clever access ramps & stairs, sustainable economic timber structure and overall aesthetic ethos were the most appropriate and uplifting solution for the site and brief. It was the unanimous choice and I look forward to seeing it built."

Christopher Bagot, Softroom commented: "This bridge resolves the complex access requirements of a modern canal bridge within a simple overall form. In its use of timber as a construction material and its connection with the landscape on either side, it is hoped that this bridge will provide a well crafted model of sustainable development of this kind."

Softroom and their team will now work closely with the council to develop their scheme with a view to construction commencing on the new bridge later this year.

The shortlisted teams were:- Softroom with Eckersley O'Callaghan Strcutural Engineers, PT Projects Quantity Surveyors and DHA Lighting; Arca/Martin Stockley Associates; B&C Associati, Italy; Chris Curtis with Elliott Wood Engineers; Julian Hakes Associates with Alan Baxter Engineers and Youssef Ghali, Egypt.

^^
http://img178.imageshack.us/img178/7665/leedsliverpoolcanalfootnr5.jpg

It's good to see the re-development of the unused land at the junction of Queens Drive and East Prescot Road near Old Swan has been recommended for approval. This is a major inter-section between two roads that carry a lot of visitors and locals alike. Although by no means the worst eyesore we have in the city, it's needed something doing with it for years.

The application proposes -

Application No. 08F/0360 to erect part 3/part 4 storey building, with a total of 16 no. flats comprising 7 no.3 bedroom units, 7 no.2 bedroom units and 2 no.1 bedroom units with communal roof terrace, basement car park and associated landscaping

Reading through the planning report, I did come across this gem -

(Objecting to the scheme on the grounds that) the proposed development has no apparent benefits

So re-generating an under-used, unattractive piece of land that has been derelict for over 20 years is of 'no apparent benefit'? :ohno:

Work starts on lakeside dream
Jun 5 2008 by Helen Hunt, Liverpool Echo

BUILDING work has now started on Sefton’s new £7.5m water centre.

The new facility at Crosby’s Marine Park will create a water sports centre of excellence for the region and is predicted to put Sefton on the water sports map.

Today Sefton Council revealed a new artist’s impression of the facility.

The revised drawings reflect changes to the original scheme and follow a detailed planning process that included consultation with current lake users.

The centre is expected to play a major part in the regeneration of the Crosby Marine Park area which already features Anthony Gormley's 'Iron Men' and proposals for an iconic public observatory at Seaforth.

Cllr Ian Maher, Sefton's Cabinet Member for Regeneration: said: "These images give a new insight into how this exciting new facility will look.

“During the months ahead, people will be able to see this new regional attraction rising from the ground.

"This scheme will really put Crosby and Sefton on the water sports map and will revitalise this coastal area."

The major project is being funded by Sefton Council, the Government Office for the North West (European Regional Development Fund), Mersey Waterfront, Sport England and The Learning and Skills Council.

It will feature a cafe, conference facilities, gym, wet and dry changing rooms and overnight accommodation.

It is scheduled to open in the summer of 2009.

I was just out for a drive and noticed that the former Esso petrol station near the Jolly Miller on Queens Drive, which has had planning permission for a Tesco Express and fuel pumps for ages, is finally being worked on. The building to the rear of the site is already built and looks to be getting fitted out, while the fuel pump canopy is also now in place. Being on a very busy road, it's good to see this eyesore finally being tidied up. Hopefully once they finish there they'll move on to the site on Picton Road in Wavertree, which has been waiting for its Tesco for ages.

I was just out for a drive and noticed that the former Esso petrol station near the Jolly Miller on Queens Drive, which has had planning permission for a Tesco Express and fuel pumps for ages, is finally being worked on. The building to the rear of the site is already built and looks to be getting fitted out, while the fuel pump canopy is also now in place. Being on a very busy road, it's good to see this eyesore finally being tidied up. Hopefully once they finish there they'll move on to the site on Picton Road in Wavertree, which has been waiting for its Tesco for ages.

Really good to hear that, that area of Queens drive is one visitors see when they come off the motorway. However, I wish something could be done with that derelict large residential building opposite. It lets the area down and has loads of potential, its been empty for as long as I can remember. Even a care home there would be an improvement:banana:

I was just out for a drive and noticed that the former Esso petrol station near the Jolly Miller on Queens Drive, which has had planning permission for a Tesco Express and fuel pumps for ages, is finally being worked on. The building to the rear of the site is already built and looks to be getting fitted out, while the fuel pump canopy is also now in place. Being on a very busy road, it's good to see this eyesore finally being tidied up. Hopefully once they finish there they'll move on to the site on Picton Road in Wavertree, which has been waiting for its Tesco for ages.

They've also built a Tesco Express on the former petrol station on Crosby Rd North in Waterloo

^^

I know the one you mean. I was coming back from Southport through there one day last summer, and saw that derelict site. I thought to myself at the time, I bet that is a Tesco within six months. Looks like I wasn't far off. I know what people say about Tesco's aggressive expansion, but in situations like this, it's hard to quibble. Two derelict sites have/are being tidied up, and another will hopefully see some work soon too. I'd rather see another Tesco, than another overgrown site surrounded by wire fencing.

From the Daily Post -

CPOs to back huge city facelift

Jun 7 2008 by Ben Schofield, Liverpool Daily Post

A £150m transformation of north Liverpool will be pushed through with compulsory purchase powers following council approval yesterday.

The “Project Jennifer” scheme will transform 39 acres of land around Great Homer Street and Scotland Road.

It has been described as the biggest ever face-lift for that part of the city and will create 740 new full time jobs.

Preferred developers St Modwen welcomed the proposed compulsory purchase order, describing it as a “key milestone” for the project.

The development will create 481 new homes, a 10,000 sq m superstore, a new library and a purpose-built site for Paddy’s Market.

Liverpool City Council said the existing shopping centre is dilapidated and trading poorly.

The idea of developing the area was first mooted five years ago, when the council invited developers to submit proposals for the area.

The scheme was approved by councillors in August, 2005, and a planning application was lodged in November the same year.

Negotiators from St Modwen have been approaching businesses in the area to smooth out relocation and compensation agree-ments.

Article continues here - http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-news/regional-news/2008/06/07/cpos-to-back-huge-city-facelift-64375-21037676/

I was down at the street market on Gt Homer Street last Saturday. It was packed. First communion outfits to die for.

Orphanage set to become new £40m model village

Jun 7 2008 by Ben Schofield, Liverpool Daily Post

A FORMER Victorian retreat for workhouse orphans will be redeveloped by regeneration specialists Urban Splash, it was announced yesterday.

A £40m scheme will see Newhall campus’s 120-year-old buildings developed into a modern office and residential community.

Urban Splash’s managing director has said the project is “very close to our hearts” because of its historical value.

All the offices will be modernised and some of the villas on site will be converted into family homes.

The Longmoor Lane site currently houses primary care trust offices and council tenants. But it is largely dilapidated and many of the buildings are vacant.

Bill Maynard, managing director of the developers, said: “We’re delighted to have this project. It’s a little tucked away, but when you drive in it’s a model village with beautiful villas.”

The 30-acre campus was built in the 1880s to house 650 destitute orphans from the West Derby workhouse.

There are 26 listed buildings on the site, laid out in a symmetrical pattern.

Once developed, the site will contain both offices and houses, with most of the commercial tenants centred around the dining hall as a hub.

Mr Maynard added: “It hasn’t had much investment in a very long time and it needs a comprehensive upgrade.

“We want to make the public space very attractive with high quality buildings.”

He plans to convert each of the villas into five houses and build a further 26 mews houses in blocks of four with private gardens. The site will contain around 135 family homes.

The model village concept – which combined salubrious surroundings with accommodation – was ultra-modern for its day.

The developers say they will hold an international design competition to find an architect for the terraced houses.

The aim, Mr Maynard said, would be to conceive and build the “house of the future” and reinstate Newhall as a model village.

benschofield



This is an oasis off Longmoor Lane, an easy walk from Fazakerley station if you haven't got a car. I'm not sure which building is the 'dining hall'. I suspect it might be the large, Victorian pile in the centre of the far end of the avenue, complete with its own 'tower'. I hope that isn't made inaccessible to the general public. It's currently used for T'ai chi classes and such like, and should ideally be a cultural hub for this part of north Liverpool.

WORK has begun on the first phase of a ground-breaking business park that will bring more than 1,500 jobs and major investment to Liverpool.

Developer St Modwen is creating 5,300 sqm of industrial space at the park in Gillmoss which has already been congratulated for its green credentials.

Four units are being constructed on the former GEC and Sugarbrook sites to complete the 29-hectare scheme.

The start of work on Stonebridge Park’s first buildings follows the completion of extensive infrastructure work, carried out by Liverpool Land Development Company.

A new junction off the A580 and a main access road have been built funded by English Partnerships and the Northwest Development Agency (NWDA).

Last year, endangered water voles were released at the park fronting the East Lancs gateway into the city, joining red squirrels and reed warblers.

Rob Monaghan, development director at Liverpool Vision, said that Stonebridge Park would be a business environment with a difference.

He said: “This is a significant milestone for this development which will play a key role in helping attract investment and jobs to the city.

“When finished, this should be a much sought after business environment, because the green element of Stonebridge is no gimmick.

“Not only do we want to encourage new business in this part of the city, we want it also to be the perfect environment for flora and fauna.”

The scheme includes extensive tree planting and water features based around the River Alt and its Sugarbrook tributary which run through the site.

The green factor has been reinforced by the creation of extensive reed beds that will improve water quality and provide a range of wetland habitats.

Mike Hosie, St Modwen development manager, said: “The unmatched location and superb landscaping at this key gateway site has given us the confidence to proceed on a speculative basis and we expect the development to prove very popular.”

:banana::banana::banana:

great news Medici.:)

A £10m facelift dream for estate
Jun 20 2008 by Nick Coligan, Liverpool Echo

A MULTI-million pound plan to transform one of Merseyside’s poorest estates was revealed today.

The £10m scheme would see the heart of Stockbridge Village rebuilt, with a new community centre, library, swimming pool and gym all on the drawing board.

Those modern facilities would replace the ageing Heatwaves leisure centre, which would be demolished.

Another £1m would hopefully be spent modernising the estate’s busy GP practice, to keep it up-to-date before a planned rebuild in 2014.

Council managers also hope some shops could be built in the new village centre, based on the current Heatwaves site, in Waterpark Drive.

The proposal would link in with other schemes to build a new school to replace Brookside and Nine Tree primaries, and federate St Albert’s and St Brigid’s Catholic primaries under a single head teacher.

Knowsley council also hopes to draw up a masterplan to attract housing developers to Stockbridge Village so more privately-owned properties can be built.

Two-thirds of the estate’s 2,700 households are rented by tenants from housing associations.

The council drew up the regeneration plan after identifying a host of problems for the 5,000 residents of Stockbridge Village, once known as Cantril Farm.

Officials described its shopping precinct, health centre and Heatwaves as “outdated and rundown”, with poor transport links to other parts of Merseyside.

They also said the estate had high numbers of unemployed, unskilled young people and increasing empty desks at its schools.

Earlier this year, hundreds of people attended an event to discuss possible regeneration opportunities, with less than four of out 10 saying they were “very” or “fairly” satisfied living in Stockbridge Village, half the figure for the rest of Knowsley. They called for better shops, activities for young people, improved maintenance and new leisure facilities.

Stockbridge Village councillor Mike Foulkes said: “We consulted residents and they came up with these proposals.

“We are ready for regeneration – the council knows it and that is why it is putting money into the area.

“It just needs to be ratified and then we can go ahead with it.”

The regeneration plan is due to be discussed by the council’s cabinet next week.



xx

All-clear verdict on dust row site
Jun 20 2008 by Nick Coligan, Liverpool Echo

A MULTI-million pound building project in Liverpool has been given the all-clear by health experts.

A new distribution centre for discount store Home Bargains is being constructed at Axis building park, off the East Lancs Road.

Fazakerley residents have hit Liverpool council with complaints about dust from the site blowing into their homes and covering their cars and windows.

But an environmental health inspection found contractor Bowmer & Kirkland was not breaking any rules. It means work on the £35m scheme, which will create 800 new jobs, can continue.

A council spokesman said: “A meeting showed they have the necessary practices to keep dust to a minimum. After several visits to the site and the homes of residents, we saw no evidence of dust leaving the site.”

Joe Morris, operations director of Home Bargains’ parent company TJ Morris, said: “Standard control measures, such as water spraying, damping down and cleaning roads, are being used to control the amount of dust on site.

“We apologise if residents experienced problems with dust during the very dry initial phases of construction.

“We have reviewed our dust suppression procedures with our builder and increased the quantity and frequency of water spraying, damping down and cleaning to keep dust levels to a minimum.”

A spokesman for Bowmer & Kirkland said: “We have increased our strategy for dust suppression, which the council is happy with.”



xx

I was just passing the new Tesco Express and petrol station on Queens Drive, and there are banners up indicating that it will open on Thursday at 8am. It looks very smart, and has tidied up a derelict site that thousands of visitors to the city saw each weekend on the way to the football. Strangely enough, the petrol forecourt seems to be an Esso facility, which is odd because there was an Esso facility on that site for years before they closed it down. There was also a Tesco delivery van on site, so it looks like they are stocking up, and putting the finishing touches in place for Thursday.

Green light for St Helens new stadium
Jul 11 2008 by Ben Rossington, Liverpool Echo

ST HELENS Rugby League today received the go ahead to build their new world class stadium.

The Government announced there would be no public inquiry about the plans for an 18,000-capacity stadium to be built on the site of the derelict former United Glass site.

The paperwork for the massive development, the biggest St Helens has ever seen, was handed to the government office north west in May after being approved by the town council.

They have decided not to call the project in and gave it the green light.

The approved plans are:

* The transformation of the derelict former United Glass site to create a new 18,000-capacity stadium for St Helens Rugby League Club, a 140,000 sq ft Tesco Extra, as well as associated public realm and infrastructure improvements which will go hand-in-hand with the development

* The redevelopment of the existing town centre Tesco store in Chalon Way into new shops

* The development of the existing St Helens Rugby League Club site at Knowsley Road to create high-quality family housing.

St Helens MP Shaun Woodward said: “This is absolutely fantastic news for the fans, the club and St Helens . It is immensely pleasing to see the team get the stadium that they and all the fans truly deserve.

“This project is the biggest planning application St Helens has ever seen and we have all worked tirelessly to make this Stadium a reality.”

“St Helens will, at long last, have a truly world class stadium for a world class team and for world class fans.”

Great news for St.Helens, just hope that the development on the site of the current Tesco is decent and increases the size of the city centre. St.Helens is really lacking in decent retail offering.

Lee Manor high school, in Belle Vale is being demolished now and the site seems to be sealed off to make way for this.:)

£10m golf course aims to be class act
Feb 20 2008 by Nick Coligan, Liverpool Echo

LIVERPOOL’S newest golf course would be the centrepiece of a sports park earmarked for derelict school premises.

A developer wants to create a “pay-as-you-play” nine-hole course on the site of the former Lee Manor high school, in Belle Vale.

The facility, which would include a practice area, putting green, clubhouse and crazy golf section, has been in the pipeline for more than two years.

Now a detailed plan for the £10m complex, to be known as Liverpool Sports Park, is finally set to be approved by councillors next week.

The scheme also includes a fishing lake, a “trim trail” for runners and cyclists, 11 all-weather floodlit football pitches and car parking.

The school’s derelict sports hall,would be refurbished and brought back into use.

If councillors do back the scheme for the Childwall Valley Road site, work would start on the golf course and fishing lake almost immediately so they could open late next year.

A council report says the sports park would bring a range of activities to the area which are currently unavailable.

It says: “The different types of games offered at the golf course are specifically designed to attract people of different skill levels, age groups and incomes, something that is not directly catered for at the nearby golf courses.”

A spokesman for Liverpool Sports Park plc said: “We are pleased to have reached this stage in the progression of the scheme. Subject to planning permission, we are looking forward to starting on site.”

I noticed the other day that the derelict (for at least the past 15 years?) factory at the bottom of Speke Hall Road has now been razed to the ground. Now if someone could just fix the collapsed roof on the former Metal Box factory then that part of town would give an excellent impression to people driving in from JLA.

I noticed the other day that the derelict (for at least the past 15 years?) factory at the bottom of Speke Hall Road has now been razed to the ground. Now if someone could just fix the collapsed roof on the former Metal Box factory then that part of town would give an excellent impression to people driving in from JLA.

I think you mean the old Tea Factory opposite Ford garage? Its going to be a hotel - Premier Inn I think.

The DP reports this morning that Tesco have been ousted from Project Jennifer. Developer St. Modwen is also in dispute with Tesco over the Kirkby project, seems that St. Mowden are unhappy with the Kirkby project because of its possible impact on it's Skelmersdale plans.

All this on the same day that Wyness announces his resignation!! there are a few more twists ad turns to be played out here.

The DP reports this morning that Tesco have been ousted from Project Jennifer.

This would be brilliant news...if true, and if you could believe that one diversity-killer wasn't going only to be replaced by another.

With you on this one VT.. any scheme which manages to successfuly block a new Tesco development is a win in my book. 1 in every 3 pounds in the UK are spent in Tesco... there should be an embargo on all future developments until the playing field levels out.

Could this fall out also mean an end of EFC to Kirkby??


£150m regeneration of north Liverpool in jeopardy after Tesco is ousted

Jul 30 2008 By Barry Turnbull, Liverpool Daily Post
An artist's impression of Project Jennifer, planned for Great Homer Street

An artist's impression of Project Jennifer, planned for Great Homer Street _240

SUPERMARKET giant Tesco has been ousted from a crucial £150m regeneration project in north Liverpool, leaving its future uncertain last night.

The retailer and property developer St Modwen has broken off negotiations over Project Jennifer, which would have created the country’s second biggest supermarket on a site between Great Homer Street and Scotland Road.

The 115,000 sq ft giant was to have been the focal point for the entire 45-acre site which is also to include 480 homes, a hotel and public transport interchange.

St Modwen is now in talks with another major supermarket chain to replace Tesco. An announcement on this deal is expected in a few months’ time.

But Tesco says it owns a substantial chunk of the land and will oppose any plan to bring in a rival operator.

Both parties are also at logger- heads over development plans in Kirkby where St Modwen is objecting to the proposed Tesco superstore that will form part of the same development that could house Everton Football Club’s new ground. A spokesman for Tesco said they had not withdrawn from the development and in fact own a third of the land earmarked for the store.

He said: "We are committed to a great regeneration opportunity in this part of Liverpool. Unfortunately discussions have broken down because the developer has changed the terms of agreement."

He said any attempt to bring in another operator could put the whole development "in jeopardy".

The development, codenamed Project Jennifer, has proceeded slowly due to the protracted negotiations, plus the fact that compulsory purchase orders are required on businesses in the area.

The plans, which include a new home for Great Homer Street market, are seen as vital to regenerate parts of north Liverpool and will create around 800 jobs.

Michelle Taylor, regional director for St Modwen, said: "We have had negotiations for four years and have been unable to resolve matters.

"The most important thing is to move forward with the regeneration of Great Homer Street, and as a result of discussions with another leading supermarket we are hoping to announce the identity of the new retailer in the near future.

"The supermarket contributes to a large percentage of the retail offer so it’s important that we secure a company before we progress with the scheme and continue with our land acquisitions."

She said Tesco only owned a few acres of the entire site but declined to say how St Modwen would respond if the supermarket giant decided to stand in the way of the new store plan.

A Liverpool City Council spokesman said: "We welcome the news that St Modwen are in positive negotiations with a leading retailer with a view to them becoming the preferred anchor tenant for Project Jennifer.

"It safeguards this major scheme which will revitalise the Great Homer Street area of the city.

"The anchor tenant will be at the heart of a new retail centre for the area incorporating other stores, new community facilities including a library, a new home for the market and new public realm.

"Regular public meetings will recommence shortly, ensuring that local people are kept informed about progress on this exciting scheme.

"It is essential local people benefit from the new job opportunities it will bring and the council will be working with the developer to make sure that happens."

In Kirkby, St Modwen says the blueprint for a Tesco store and stadium for Everton would impact on its proposal to redevelop Skelmersdale town centre.

barry.turnbull@dailypost.co.uk

Could this fall out also mean an end of EFC to Kirkby??

Let's hope so, for everyone's sake.

Hopefully they won't just replace Tesco with another big supermarket.

A Sainsbury's Local or something as a retail unit in a big mixed use building would be better.

2 things I noticed recently

Gregsons Well ale house (been shut for years and no one would wanna drink there) being demolished to further improve the look of the Islington approach to the centre. All they need to do is remove the Aspinall's carpet shop on the corner Islington and the area will look much improved.


Also noticed today that the Stonebridge business park in Gilmoss is nearing completion. Given that this area has looked economically depressed for decades this development transforms it.

During this so called 'recession' if the council continue to quietly improve the city's infrastructure like this when the upturn comes the climate wwill be ripe for developers to move in.

All they need to do is remove the Aspinall's carpet shop on the corner Islington and the area will look much improved.

Agreed. Fortunately its not too obvious when coming into the city along Islington, as by that point the skyline in the distance is beginning to catch your eye. However when leaving the city, it looks pretty awful to be honest. Lets hope it gets sorted out soon, although with the current economic climate, I'm not sure it will be.

I also noticed the other week (but forgot to post), that the apartment block on the old Dingwall Autos site on the High Street in Wavertree is nearing completion. The scaffolding is down, and it looks alright. Its style suits its surroundings quite well, and the scale of the building fits in better in relation to the buildings around it, than the single-storey building it replaced.

It's a shame The Lamb pub had to suffer because of its construction, and to be honest, it looks like it will be a very tight fit to re-build between the new building and the remaining section of The Lamb pub. But once re-built, the two together should present a strong unified frontage when you come around from behind Picton Clock.

2 things I noticed recently

Gregsons Well ale house (been shut for years and no one would wanna drink there) being demolished .

Well back in the 60`s Greggy Wells was busy and famous, :cheers: the Spinners Folk Club used to meet every friday in the upstairs function room.

Gone but not forgotten, by me:cheers: for some great friday`s.

http://www.newheartlands.co.uk/liverpool.html

Has it been posted before? i dunno!

LIVERPOOL’S Stanley Park conservatory is well on the way to being restored to its former glory.

The historic building will become centrepiece of the £25m regeneration of the park.

The 109-year-old Isla Gladstone conservatory was left derelict in the 1980s and had become a target for vandals.

But after first being dismantled it is now beginning to take shape again and is due to be completed by early next year.

Schoolchildren were among the first to see the building undergoing its transformation when tours began in May.

Stanley Park liaison officer Kevin McBride, who works for contractors DCT Civil Engineering, has been taking youngsters from neighbouring schools on a tour of the park.

He said: “The kids are really interested in learning about the history of Stanley Park.”

Kevin, 51, said: “I spent many Saturdays and Sundays playing in the park. When I came back all those memories came flooding back, but then I saw the vandalism. I hope all the community will appreciate it when it is restored to its former glory.”

Stanley Park was designed in 1866 by Edward Kemp, the creator of Sefton and Birkenhead parks.

The Isla Gladstone conservatory was built in 1899 to house exotic plants, but fell into disuse in the 80s.

The transformation of the historic building is the result of £9m of European Objective One funding.

Bridges, walls, fencing, gates, pavilions, the bandstand and park lodge are also being repaired and refurbished. Significant landscaping work has also started and a lake will be reintroduced.

Councillor Flo Clucas, deputy leader of Liverpool council, said: “The work going on is incredible and once the restoration is complete it will be a fantastic asset to the community and will attract thousands of visitors a year.”

Source Liverpool Echo

Good to see this happening in this neglected neighbourhood.:dance:

New life for old flats
Aug 18 2008 by Neil Hodgson, Liverpool Echo

FORMER labourers’ homes almost 100 years old could be converted to flats.

Eldon Grove labourers dwellings in Vauxhall’s Eldonian Village have lain derelict for years.

But they are now being marketed by Liverpool property firm Edward Symmons with planning permission for 48 flats and 50 car parking spaces.

They are owned by the city council and, despite being in the hands of a developer who cannot be named due to confidentiality reasons, Edward Symmons has been named as Law of Property Act (LVA) Receiver with instructions to sell the historic site that was given grade II-listed status in 1993.

To the front of the block is the former Bevington Street Recreation Ground which could provide scope for further development, subject to the necessary planning consents.

This saga seems never ending! I can remember all the optimism about this place being rennovated years ago. For some reason it keeps on coming unstuck.

I have to say, having walked round the area south of Cains brewery last weekend it would definately be an area I would concentrate on. As for north of the tunnel enterance, it's not somewhere I've ever gotten to, might be a plan for next weekend.

Any ideas on places to have a butchers at Babaloo? Preferably walking distance from the city centre.

I have to say, having walked round the area south of Cains brewery last weekend it would definately be an area I would concentrate on. As for north of the tunnel enterance, it's not somewhere I've ever gotten to, might be a plan for next weekend.

Any ideas on places to have a butchers at Babaloo? Preferably walking distance from the city centre.

Well since your asking and if by 'north' you mean 'north end' then how about -

Walk up William Brown Street, straying into St John's Gardens to chat to a Goth or two but you won't have time for the offer on the other the side of the street. Straight up London Road past TJ's to Moss Street and turn left, cross Islington into Shaw Street walk along it - looking at the former Collegiate (gorgeous building, now flats), glance left to catch an eyefull of SFX church (my favourite Catholic church in the city and that includes the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King). It's beautiful on the inside, too but it's unlikely to be open. Continue along Shaw Street, past the rennovated Georgian houses (under no condition feel tempted to see what they look like from the back - it will taint your impression of the front) Continue walking along Shaw Street until you get to Everton Brow, clock the view. If you have time try and find pictures of what it used to look like. Heartbreaking. You can go down it but take my advice and make your way across the 'park' to Everton Road, turning every so often to check out the best views in Liverpool, especially if it's a clear day. Doesn't the church of Ss Peter and Paul (in New Brighton) look great from here? Not forgetting the Tobacco Warehouse et al. On reaching Everton Road walk up it towards the church you can see - the cast-iron church of St George's, Everton, one of only two in the city. Sadly it will be closed. Continue towards a strange looking building that you can see on the right hand side - one of my favourite Liverpool buildings of all time: Everton library, now semi-derelict. You can either cut through one of the streets to your left or continue until you reach Everton Valley and turn left walking down in following the traffic towards town. Continue walking on the left side until you reach Great Homer Street. I'm assuming that you will be doing this on a Saturday in which case you will now see a hive of activity - Paddy's market. Have a good look round, buy something. At least have a cup of tea or coffee and make sure that you chat to people to make the most of the experience. Now you have a choice. You can either continue along GHS, checking out the site of the future EFC en route and head back into town or you can cut through to Scotland Road, cross it and ideally walk down Silvester Street heading towards the canal via the Eldonian Village. The juxtapositioning of the city centre in the distance and this part of town is an interesting one to savour. From the canal head back into town, maybe taking in the Ceri Hand gallery in Cotton Street?

glance left to catch an eyefull of SFX church (my favourite Catholic church in the city and that includes the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King). It's beautiful on the inside, too but it's unlikely to be open.

This may be of interest.

CAPITAL OF CULTURE EXHIBITION
HELD IN TRUST -2008 years of sacred culture. On 30th July the Papal Nuncio, Archbishop Faustino Sainz Munoz, along with Archbishop Kelly and the Jesuit Provincial, attended a concert sponsored by the Catholic Record Society to mark the opening of a major exhibition of artefacts from Stonyhurst College, Lancashire. Most of the objects were given to the Jesuits for safe keeping during Recusant times until things \'blew over\' after the Reformation. The Society of Jesus still has them. Included in the exhibition are vestments made for Catherine of Aragon and Henry VII, a hat belonging to St Thomas More, the relic of the Crown of Thorns for which Sainte Chapelle in Paris was built, Cardinal Wolsey\'s Book of Hours and articles sent by Jesuit missionaries from throughout the world. Over 70 artefacts, along with sumptuous vestments from SFX\'s collections, are on display in the nave of the church You will find further details of the exhibition in the HELD IN TRUST section of the website. Although we have received many donations towards the exhibition, more are needed to help us cover the cost of display and insurance. If you would like to help ring SFX Church and ask for the administrator. The exhibition runs from 31st July - 27th September and is open daily from 11am - 4pm (noon on Sundays). Refreshments are available and there is Mass at noon on Monday,Tuesday,Thursday,Friday & Saturday - 10.15am on Sunday.

Sorry to be negative but I know the north end very well and despite the modest improvements around Shaw St you will find an urban wasteland from Islington to Everton Valley. The main problem is it is underpopulated everyone having been shipped out in the 60's. Yes the people in these areas are the nicest you can meet anywhere in the world and Paddy's is a cracking market but Everton is an area which has had much of its heart ripped out over the years.:ohno:

From the Echo -

Gillmoss plan lies in tatters

Aug 21 2008 by Nick Coligan, Liverpool Echo

A MULTI-MILLION pound deal to rebuild a flattened Liverpool community has collapsed.

Developer David McLean Homes has pulled out of a deal to build 600 homes on the site off the East Lancs Road once occupied by the Gillmoss estate.

The firm told Liverpool council the long-awaited scheme was not viable because of the property market.

Community leaders today accused the council of letting down the former residents of Gillmoss, who were moved out of the estate on the basis it would be rebuilt with shops and sports facilities.

The last few families to leave the four Gillmoss streets went through years of hell when yobs and arsonists started attacking empty homes.

Plans to replace the estate with a £100m community called Stonebridge Cross were first unveiled by the council in 2002.

But after years of delays, the original scheme involving Tesco and David McLean Homes collapsed.

It was then revived as a housing-only development, with David McLean Homes back on board.

After the last few residents were rehoused, the four streets were demolished earlier this year.

Now officials will have to go back to the drawing board and come up with a new scheme.

Continues here - http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2008/08/21/gillmoss-plan-lies-in-tatters-100252-21577768/

^^ Let's hoped it's landscaped in the meantime.

This may be of interest.

CAPITAL OF CULTURE EXHIBITION
HELD IN TRUST -2008 years of sacred culture. On 30th July the Papal Nuncio, Archbishop Faustino Sainz Munoz, along with Archbishop Kelly and the Jesuit Provincial, attended a concert sponsored by the Catholic Record Society to mark the opening of a major exhibition of artefacts from Stonyhurst College, Lancashire. Most of the objects were given to the Jesuits for safe keeping during Recusant times until things \'blew over\' after the Reformation. The Society of Jesus still has them. Included in the exhibition are vestments made for Catherine of Aragon and Henry VII, a hat belonging to St Thomas More, the relic of the Crown of Thorns for which Sainte Chapelle in Paris was built, Cardinal Wolsey\'s Book of Hours and articles sent by Jesuit missionaries from throughout the world. Over 70 artefacts, along with sumptuous vestments from SFX\'s collections, are on display in the nave of the church You will find further details of the exhibition in the HELD IN TRUST section of the website. Although we have received many donations towards the exhibition, more are needed to help us cover the cost of display and insurance. If you would like to help ring SFX Church and ask for the administrator. The exhibition runs from 31st July - 27th September and is open daily from 11am - 4pm (noon on Sundays). Refreshments are available and there is Mass at noon on Monday,Tuesday,Thursday,Friday & Saturday - 10.15am on Sunday.

Thanks for posting that Joe. I'll definitely go along.

Sorry to be negative but I know the north end very well and despite the modest improvements around Shaw St you will find an urban wasteland from Islington to Everton Valley. The main problem is it is underpopulated everyone having been shipped out in the 60's. Yes the people in these areas are the nicest you can meet anywhere in the world and Paddy's is a cracking market but Everton is an area which has had much of its heart ripped out over the years.:ohno:

It has had its heart ripped out but it's still worth visiting and walking its streets you can get a sense of what was and unrealised potential. If the EFC stadium in the 'Loop' - project Jennifer thing went ahead things could change for the better quite quickly.

It has had its heart ripped out but it's still worth visiting and walking its streets you can get a sense of what was and unrealised potential. If the EFC stadium in the 'Loop' - project Jennifer thing went ahead things could change for the better quite quickly.

I agree with this comment. In my view the inner core of the north end needs an injection of people. Vauxhall Road is starting to look really smart now new houses and communites have been established-- although now it needs some shops.

Scotland Road though looks dreary, and yes Project Jennifer should sort that out. It also needs to get young people into the area, people with decent jobs not just old people.

Great Homer St has loads of potential for develoment, and again Project Jennifer will improve this. But on top of this there is just too much open space which gives the feeling of a ghost town. Everton Park is just too big and some of it could be built on whilst retaining the main parts in order to bring much needed people back into Everton.

Great Homer St needs a frontage from Islington to Kirkdale Rd, of shops and businesses.

This area was once the powerhouse of the city, the park looks better than the 60's slums did but there remains an ambience of loss in the area, like it has seen its best days in the past, when it and the people there deserve a better future

I agree with this comment. In my view the inner core of the north end needs an injection of people. Vauxhall Road is starting to look really smart now new houses and communites have been established-- although now it needs some shops.

Scotland Road though looks dreary, and yes Project Jennifer should sort that out. It also needs to get young people into the area, people with decent jobs not just old people.

Great Homer St has loads of potential for develoment, and again Project Jennifer will improve this. But on top of this there is just too much open space which gives the feeling of a ghost town. Everton Park is just too big and some of it could be built on whilst retaining the main parts in order to bring much needed people back into Everton.

Great Homer St needs a frontage from Islington to Kirkdale Rd, of shops and businesses.

This area was once the powerhouse of the city, the park looks better than the 60's slums did but there remains an ambience of loss in the area, like it has seen its best days in the past, when it and the people there deserve a better future

There needs to be a holistic approach to Scotland Road and an imaginitive way of bridging the gap between scotland road and the city centre created by the Kingsway tunnel and approach.

Address that and The north of the city can start getting in on the action.

Using the Concentric Zone Model, Liverpool needs to invest in it's Zone of Transition:




The Concentric ring model also known as the Burgess model was the first to explain distribution of social groups within urban areas.

Based on Chicago, it was created by sociologist Ernest Burgess in 1925. This concentric ring model depicts urban land use in concentric rings: the Central Business District (or CBD) was in the middle of the model, and the city expanded in rings with different land uses.

It contrasts with the Homer Hoyt's sector model and the multiple nuclei model.


The zones identified are:

The Concentric ring model also known as the Burgess model was the first to explain distribution of social groups within urban areas. Based on Chicago, it was created by sociologist Ernest Burgess in 1925. This concentric ring model depicts urban land use in concentric rings: the Central Business District (or CBD) was in the middle of the model, and the city expanded in rings with different land uses. It contrasts with the Homer Hoyt's sector model and the multiple nuclei model.


The zones identified are:


The center was the CBD



The transition zone of mixed residential and commercial uses



Low-class residential homes (Inner Suburbs), in later decades called inner city



Better quality middle-class homes (Outer Suburbs)



Commuters zone


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concentric_zone_model

http://www.csiss.org/classics/uploads/conzone.jpg

From the Echo -



Continues here - http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2008/08/21/gillmoss-plan-lies-in-tatters-100252-21577768/

Unbelievable. This should have been sorted years ago long before the so called credit crunch. They have been talking about it for the last 6 years. Now we have another gigantic piece of wasteland as you drive into the city.

The city has massively failed to capitalise on cheap money and investor confidence, I'd rather have empty infrastructure built on developer risk waiting for an upturn than derelict wastelands and retail sheds.

Unbelievable. This should have been sorted years ago long before the so called credit crunch. They have been talking about it for the last 6 years. Now we have another gigantic piece of wasteland as you drive into the city.

from what i can remember, the supermarket pulled out years ago after the council started to CPO the properties piecemeal, rather than in one go. It's a complete waste and a massive cock up.

From the Daily Post -

Store is finally given go-ahead

Aug 22 2008 by David Bartlett, Liverpool Daily Post

Store is finally given go-ahead

AN EYESORE former industrial site in Litherland is finally to be re-developed into a Tesco superstore, following an eight-year saga.

Sefton councillors approved the supermarket’s plans for the Lanstar tar distillery, on Hawthorne Road.

The planning committee also voted to approve a new canal crossing to improve pedestrian access to the site.

The Daily Post understands Tesco hopes to open the new supermarket within 10 months.

Last night, Michael Kissman, Tesco corporate affairs manager, said: “Across Merseyside and the wider North West, we are committed to delivering retail-led regeneration.”

The news comes as Asda revealed that it will open a new supermarket at the back of Bootle Strand station in October, which it has billed as its first eco-supermarket.

Tesco first announced plans to build a store on the former Lanstar site in 2000, but the scheme hit delays and went to a lengthy public inquiry, which ended with the then Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott pulling the plug.

Mr Prescott claimed it would drag trade away from shops in nearby Seaforth, and suggested a site off Beach Road would be more suitable.

The site he suggested was then developed for housing, putting it out of the equation.

Tesco re-submitted their application and were given outline planning permission in 2005.

Mr Kissman added: “The scheme will create over 200 jobs alone, not to mention the employment opportunities created through the new industrial units which we are supporting with a financial contribution to local employment organisations.

“The scheme will also meet the energy reduction aspirations of both Tesco and Sefton with a biomass plant for on-site energy production.”

The same committee also deferred making a decision into a proposal to extend the 24-hour Tesco superstore in Southport.

From here - http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-news/regional-news/2008/08/22/store-is-finally-given-go-ahead-64375-21583949/

Does anyone have any pictures of the Wellington Road school conversion into flats? I think it looks quite good - a bit of 'downtown' just off the top of Park Road. I noticed the old roof terrace was featured on BBC 4's Liverpool season. I think it was the Bleasdale one filmed when the former school was the base for a number of employment/training schemes. Sadly the gorgeous and derelict chapel opposite looks as though it's way beyond repair.

Go-ahead on flats at club site
Sep 10 2008 by Marc Waddington, Liverpool Echo

A DERELICT nightclub is to be demolished in favour of an apartment complex.

A five-storey block, including 44 one-bed apartments, 33-two bed apartments and one three-bed apartment, will take the place of the Coconut Grove nightclub in Tuebrook, which has been closed for several years.

At yesterday’s Liverpool council planning meeting, the block, which includes an underground car park for 75 vehicles, was given the go ahead.

Residents had previously voiced concerns about the increased traffic the development would cause and not being able to park by their own homes.

Tuebrook ward councillor Steve Radford said the way the developers had consulted with local people and taken into consideration their fears about the impact of the development on St John the Baptist Church across the road was commendable.

From the Echo -

Aldi to regenerate Sayers Norris Green bakery site

Oct 1 2008 by Neil Hodgson, Liverpool Echo

MORE than 100 new jobs will rise from the ashes of the former Sayers bakery.

Supermarket chain Aldi owns the site in Lorenzo Drive, Norris Green, which was badly damaged in a suspected arson attack earlier this week.

Now Aldi chiefs say they are making the site safe in preparation to start work developing a new store, as well as more retail units with other firms.

Property director Mark Hewlett said: “We bought the site in January this year and Sayers were supposed to stay there until this December, but they pulled out early.”

The Sayers bakery, the company’s last in Liverpool where it was formed 96 years ago, shut on June 9 this year with the loss of 211 jobs.

Mr Hewlett said the blaze at the site last Sunday has caused extensive damage.

“I have now appointed a demolition contractor to make the building safe.”

He said the German supermarket chain is now in talks about their scheme with city planners.

But he did reveal that the company is in talks with several other retailers to develop an Aldi store and other complementary retail units which should create up to 100 new jobs.

In June this year the business was put into administration and former managers bought back 158 Sayers stores throughout Merseyside and the north west that are now operating under a new parent company.

From here - http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2008/10/01/aldi-to-regenerate-sayers-norris-green-bakery-site-100252-21938961/

It's a shame the early pull-out by Sayers, followed by the fire means the site is likely going to remain in a derelict state for several months at least while Aldi continue to draw up their plans, however it's good to know in the mid-term, there are plans afoot for the site.

And Aldi seems to be less averse to windows, and is less likely to reject cost-effective ways of softening the environment than Lidl and Netto. (Let's face it these German stores tend to be pig-ugly).

And Aldi seems to be less averse to windows, and is less likely to reject cost-effective ways of softening the environment than Lidl and Netto. (Let's face it these German stores tend to be pig-ugly).

Aldi will be popular in Norris Green:crazy2:

There was an article in Trinity Mirror North West yesterday about Tesco still planning to build large superstores on the Project Jennifer and Mecca Bingo (Park Road) sites, Kirkby, too.

There was an article in Trinity Mirror North West yesterday about Tesco still planning to build large superstores on the Project Jennifer and Mecca Bingo (Park Road) sites, Kirkby, too.

Yes, I found that a very curious statement from Tesco when you consider that they were unceremoniously kicked out of Project Jennifer by the developers and replaced by ASDA a short while back.

There was talk that Bradley was trying to get them on board for some kind of Jennifer - Loop (EFC) tie up but in typical Trinity Mirror North West style the story was reported and then left in the air so I don't know what the end result of any discussions were or whether or not they may still be ongoing etc.

There was talk that Bradley was trying to get them on board for some kind of Jennifer - Loop (EFC) tie up but in typical Trinity Mirror North West style the story was reported and then left in the air so I don't know what the end result of any discussions were or whether or not they may still be ongoing etc.

I think it came to nothing, Tesco and EFC are still very much pushing for Kirkby.

Public Inquiry starts in November iirc.

a little update of the North Liverpool Academy:-

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a366/robinsonworld/Liverpool/P1010824.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a366/robinsonworld/Liverpool/P1010825.jpg

Tesco plan for Toxteth would bring 300 jobs bonanza

Oct 14 2008
by Liza Williams,
Trinity Mirror North West


A TESCO store could be built in Toxteth under a scheme that promises to get the long-term unemployed back to work. The company has submitted a planning application to Liverpool city council for a Tesco Extra “Regeneration Partnership” store, in Park Road.

It is claimed the proposed development, on the site of the former Mecca bingo hall, would create over 300 permanent new jobs for the area, with most employees recruited locally.

At least half of the new jobs will be filled through a local partnership scheme which Tesco plans to set up with local training and other agencies in the Toxteth and Dingle areas.

The scheme will specifically target the long-term unemployed, with the company and its partners providing help and advice on making applications and interview techniques.

Recruits who complete a six- week training programme will be guaranteed a job at the end. Tesco says it has already created 4,000 new jobs at “Reg- eneration Partnership” stores.

The proposed store will occupy 9,571 square metres and provide 537 car parking spaces and a petrol station. The site will have the capacity to house several small retail units, including a community cafe.

Tesco believe the new store will “provide a much-needed facility for the local community, as well as a welcome boost to the area’s continued regeneration”. The submission of the planning application follows a consultation process which started 18 months ago and is still ongoing.

Ward councillor for Princes Park , Tim Moore, welcomed the application but stressed Tesco must work with the council to make sure the workforce represents the local population. He said last night: “This scheme has the potential to be a really positive thing for the area, but it is important that Tesco works with its partners to make sure it offers real opportunities for local residents.”

Tesco’s corporate affairs manager, Jennifer Duncan, said: “Tesco wants to work with local people in Toxteth to provide sustainable job opportunities for local people and help aid the regeneration of the area. Our approach is based on our belief that neighbourhood renewal is not just about bricks and mortar but about renewing and strengthening the life of a diverse community and helping social cohesion. If our application is successful, we look forward to giving local people who have been out of work for more than six months, the opportunity for a fresh start. ”

Gerard Murden, MD Enterprise for The PlusDane Group, welcomed the Tesco plan. He said: “This is just what Toxteth needs. It will help provide jobs for people who have either never been in work or who have been out of work for a long time. The store will also breathe new life into an area where we have been working for the last eight years through our INclude Neighbourhood Regeneration Company.”




Let's hope that this one doesn't drag on like Project Jennifer in the north end.

The inner loop looks a necessity now.:nuts:

This should help the area quite a bit actually. Done properly. Old Swan benefitted from their Tesco and the bottom half of Smithdown certainly got a boost from ASDA. It might help the sale of the new builds in the area too.

It can never just be a tesco store, it has to be a tesco regeneration store.

Eddie Stobart plan could create 10,000 jobs

Oct 24 2008 by Neil Hodgson,
Trinny North West


TEN thousand jobs could be created at a 24-acre transport and warehousing site in Halton. The Stobart group is developing an inland container port at Widnes and a new shipping facility over the River Mersey at Runcorn as part of a £280m five-year plan.

Part of the scheme will include the development of warehousing and transport centres on the former BOC Gases site. Talks are taking place with operators which could lead to purpose-built warehousing generating 3,000 jobs.

Stobart chief finance officer Ben Whawell said: “There’s lots of related employment, and the people we are talking to say you could multiply the core jobs by at least two or three.”

He said the first warehouse could be ready by next October. But the 200-acre site, which is currently undergoing land remediation, is capable of supporting even more. Mr Whawell said Halton council was keen for the transport group to step up development plans. He said: “There is a 31% worklessness rate in Widnes, one of the highest in the UK. We are going to develop warehousing across the site and have got offers of funding from banks. There will be thousands of jobs on the Widnes site in warehousing and transport. We are solving environmental problems and creating jobs.”

He said the first warehouse could prove a catalyst and attract more tenants to the site which is ideally placed for road, rail and sea routes. Stobart’s existing rail hub at Widnes currently handles five trains a day for clients including Matalan, Littlewoods Shop Direct, B&Q, Comet and brewing giant Guinness.

But it has the capacity for 12 daily deliveries by rail through the West Coast mainline. Each train carries up to 50 containers, which takes 50 trucks off the roads’ network.

Over the river at Weston Port, Stobart is investing £30m on developing a shipping hub on 44 acres of land which could handle containers from Felixstowe and Southampton and other international ports.

Each ship handled at Weston could bring in up to 500 containers to be switched to road or rail. Mr Whawell said: “The port could generate another 500 jobs. The company’s long-term plan also considers ways the site can generate its own power source.

Mr Whawell added: “We are looking for an environmentally-friendly way of powering the site, either through biomass or even waste food.”

neilhodgson@liverpoolecho.co.uk


I really like 'Halton'. OK it's mostly ugly as sin and it stinks as well but it's got it going on when it comes to all things haulage.

Whoa, hope that all goes ahead.

Recycling plant may be running by 2010
Nov 14 2008

FINAL plans for Merseyside’s biggest recycling plant will be lodged with Liverpool council later this month.

The £20m centre will process 100,000 tonnes of dry recycling each year.

It will be the largest of its type run by Merseyside Waste Disposal Authority (MWDA).

If the Gillmoss site gets the green light, it could be up and running by 2010, creating 120 jobs.

Residents and businesses had the chance to put their views on the plans in September.

Now the finishing touches are being put to the planning application, which will be submitted in the coming weeks.

Merseyside produced 849,105 tonnes of waste last year – but only a quarter of it was recycled.

The rest – the equivalent in weight to 170,000 adult Indian elephants – went to landfill.

If this continues, councils will face fines and charges running into millions of pounds in the coming years.

MWDA director Carl Beer said: “Merseyside taxpayers will be hit hard if we do nothing about the volume of waste we all produce.

“Increased recycling and new facilities like the one we are proposing at Gillmoss are just some of the positive ways in which we can tackle this.”

The new 22-acre centre will be on the site of the current waste transfer station off Stonebridge Lane.

Card, paper, glass, cans and plastic bottles collected from Merseyside homes will be separated for further recycling and transformed into new products and raw materials.

The site will boast an information centre offering advice on recycling and the environment.

In the future, recycling bosses want to develop a giant compost-making machine where organic material such as eggshells, garden cuttings and vegetable peelings is turned into soil improver.

More than £4m of funding, which will create 1,200 jobs, has been secured for a major redevelopment of Widnes's West Bank dock estate.

The Stobart Group is redeveloping the Cheshire site into a road, rail and water freight distribution facility.

However, the derelict industrial area will first have to be decontaminated due to its chemical heritage.

The Stobart Group is working in partnership with Halton Borough Council to regenerate the area.

The grant was given by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA).

Councillor Rob Polhill, from Halton Borough Council, said: "The regeneration of the West Bank Dock estate area is vitally important for the entire borough as it is adjacent to the Silver Jubilee Bridge at the entrance to Widnes and Merseyside.

"For many years it has been unsightly and in a dilapidated condition and I'm pleased that this important investment by Stobart will go a long way towards improving the appearance of Widnes."

I noticed Sayers in Norris Green is now being demolished to make way for the Aldi Supermarket.

From the Daily Post -

District centre plan under threat from rival scheme

Nov 20 2008 by Ben Schofield, Liverpool Daily Post

A MAJOR £150m regeneration scheme was thrown into question last night after a rival plan for the area emerged.

Supermarket giant Tesco has tabled an alternative proposal to redevelop part of a north Liverpool suburb.

But developer St Modwen is leading on a scheme that already has outline planning permission.

Tesco says that scheme, known as Project Jennifer, has stalled and hope their plans will “kick-start” the regeneration of the Great Homer Street area.

The two firms spent four years in talks about the area, but they broke down in July when Tesco’s board refused to commit.

Since then, St Modwen has entered “advanced negotiations” with another food chain to build a giant 115,000 sq ft supermarket. Tesco’s proposal is for a smaller superstore and a covered market, which cover less than a third of the existing 45-acre plans.

Company spokesman Michael Kissman said last night: “We hope this will be a catalyst for the area. There remains outline permission on this site for a food store and other development. Rather than let the site remain stagnant and the inertia remain, we hope this will kick-start the regeneration we have been talking about for a long time.”

Tesco say they want to spend “millions” building on almost 14 acres of the site. Their plans include a 65,000 sq ft superstore with underground parking, and a two-section indoor and outdoor market. It would expect to create 400 jobs.

But it would not deliver the “district centre” St Modwen has promised, although Mr Kissman added “further developments” could go-ahead in parallel with Tesco or once the store was finished.

Michelle Taylor, regional director of St Modwen, said: “Our 45-acre site will create an entire district centre for North Liverpool and provide the much-needed catalyst for regeneration in and around this part of the city. Tesco’s application to build a supermarket and new market is simply not comparable.”

Ms Taylor added that Project Jennifer should create 740 new full time jobs, 480 new homes, the largest supermarket in Merseyside, a new library, health centre, dentists’ surgery and a purpose built site for Paddy’s market.

St Modwen is planning to apply for a compulsory purchase order (CPO) to buy the land. Tesco already own about four acres of the site and are hoping to buy another nine.

From here - http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-news/regional-news/2008/11/20/district-centre-plan-under-threat-from-rival-scheme-64375-22299679/

District centre plan under threat from rival scheme

Nov 20 2008 by Ben Schofield,
Trinny North West


A MAJOR £150m regeneration scheme was thrown into question last night after a rival plan for the area emerged.

Supermarket giant Tesco has tabled an alternative proposal to redevelop part of a north Liverpool suburb.

But developer St Modwen is leading on a scheme that already has outline planning permission.

Tesco says that scheme, known as Project Jennifer, has stalled and hope their plans will “kick-start” the regeneration of the Great Homer Street area.

The two firms spent four years in talks about the area, but they broke down in July when Tesco’s board refused to commit.

Since then, St Modwen has entered “advanced negotiations” with another food chain to build a giant 115,000 sq ft supermarket. Tesco’s proposal is for a smaller superstore and a covered market, which cover less than a third of the existing 45-acre plans.

Company spokesman Michael Kissman said last night: “We hope this will be a catalyst for the area. There remains outline permission on this site for a food store and other development. Rather than let the site remain stagnant and the inertia remain, we hope this will kick-start the regeneration we have been talking about for a long time.”

Tesco say they want to spend “millions” building on almost 14 acres of the site. Their plans include a 65,000 sq ft superstore with underground parking, and a two-section indoor and outdoor market. It would expect to create 400 jobs.

But it would not deliver the “district centre” St Modwen has promised, although Mr Kissman added “further developments” could go-ahead in parallel with Tesco or once the store was finished.

Michelle Taylor, regional director of St Modwen, said: “Our 45-acre site will create an entire district centre for North Liverpool and provide the much-needed catalyst for regeneration in and around this part of the city. Tesco’s application to build a supermarket and new market is simply not comparable.”

Ms Taylor added that Project Jennifer should create 740 new full time jobs, 480 new homes, the largest supermarket in Merseyside, a new library, health centre, dentists’ surgery and a purpose built site for Paddy’s market.

St Modwen is planning to apply for a compulsory purchase order (CPO) to buy the land. Tesco already own about four acres of the site and are hoping to buy another nine.

TO READ Trinny North West's previous coverage of Project Jennifer, click on www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/tags/project-jennifer/



What is this freakin' country like! Shanghai and Beijing have been rebuilt in the meantime. :nuts:

And no more Tescos. We have enough.

This scheme is hardly ever going to get off the ground! Who's fault is it? Its all going too slow! In the meantime two housing developers have built new homes and apartments whilst a new office block has been built along the road. Plus the NSPCC centre. Whilst none of the Project Jennifer plans have come to fruition!

Greaty needs redeveloping and quickly it is a ghost town and absolute dump apart from Saturdays when it is busy and but still an absolute dump.

That's Stonebridge Cross and Great Homer Street that have collapsed recently. Schemes both involving Tesco. I would tell them to go forth and multiply!

This scheme is hardly ever going to get off the ground! Who's fault is it? Its all going too slow! In the meantime two housing developers have built new homes and apartments whilst a new office block has been built along the road. Plus the NSPCC centre. Whilst none of the Project Jennifer plans have come to fruition!

Greaty needs redeveloping and quickly it is a ghost town and absolute dump apart from Saturdays when it is busy and but still an absolute dump.

The NSPCC centre is part of Project Jennifer, isn't it? I was always under that impression anyway.

That's Stonebridge Cross and Great Homer Street that have collapsed recently. Schemes both involving Tesco. I would tell them to go forth and multiply!

Exactly.

And what is their "alternative plan" for the area exactly? Build the same massive supermarket that's already planned but with a token marketplace tacked on to the side and leave all of the surrounding area a dump!

Hardly a real alternative is it! :lol:

I don't think Project Jennifer has collapsed. In fact it seems to have survived the departure of Tesco very well, and periodic news reports seem to suggest that it is still progressing.

I've heard that the former Liverpool Community College site at the bottom of Broadgreen Road, Old Swan, is now undergoing demolition to prepare the site for the new Aldi store and residential scheme.

Aldi seem to be making a concerted effort to push in on the local market, I've heard whispers that they want to take up residence in Prescot but will face opposition from Tesco which already has a mega store there. Tesco are being a bit cheeky though, if anyone knows the area, Tesco itself is situated just outside of the prescot town centre in what you would usually deem as an 'out of town' retail park but which is actually just a stones throw from the town itself.

Tesco while making a positive impact on the area also made the town centre desolate especially the shopping centre unfortunately and probably indirectly resulted in closing down the likes of Kwick Save and Somerfield and any other competition

Aldi seem to be making a concerted effort to push in on the local market

Aldi are pushing all over, and quite frankly you can understand why. In times like these when everyone is watching the pennies, it's a golden age for them. This article (http://www.talkingretail.com/news/industry-news/10053-aldi-plans-expansion-drive-to-cash-in-on-credit-crunch.html) from June suggests that they will up their store numbers from around 400 to 1500 over the next five years.

While of course each proposed store needs to be dealt with on a case by case basis, broadly speaking I am supportive of their proposed expansion. They frequently regenerate brownfield sites, and also provide employment opportunities, so I would welcome more applications in the city in the coming years.

I agree, the more competition the better, my concern wasn't the aldi it was tescos opposition, it will be interesting to see how much influence they have.

Aldi are pushing all over, and quite frankly you can understand why. In times like these when everyone is watching the pennies, it's a golden age for them. This article (http://www.talkingretail.com/news/industry-news/10053-aldi-plans-expansion-drive-to-cash-in-on-credit-crunch.html) from June suggests that they will up their store numbers from around 400 to 1500 over the next five years.

While of course each proposed store needs to be dealt with on a case by case basis, broadly speaking I am supportive of their proposed expansion. They frequently regenerate brownfield sites, and also provide employment opportunities, so I would welcome more applications in the city in the coming years.

Yes be good if they can take more Metro-type sites to allow a bit more choice (and competition). Much as I regularly shop there...there are far too many Tescos for my liking! I think Tesco have a huge land bank which they can develop over the next decade - hopefully though this is in more out of town locations and Aldi can muscle in on the brown field sites as the opportunities arise.

Travelling through Anfield the other day I was shocked to see street after street, after street of terraced housing boarded up! This kind of appalling poverty cannot be allowed to exist in this day and age but in some parts of Liverpool it does.

Presumably these houses are going to be knocked down? But wouldn't it make sense to refurbish them? If they are demolished we will be left with a huge urban wasteland and further depopoulation of a district of the city.

Given that the area around LFC is one of the most visited in the city is it any suprise outsiders have such a poor image of the city?

It’s been like that for donkeys years dude. Can’t see it improving anytime soon. Especially with Liverpool FC continually phaffing around with the ground move.

There needs to be a change in thinking in this country. Regeneration around our cities has got to be based around something more than supermarkets.

Retail in the centre is great and an Aldi down the road is handy, but it's not exactly up there with say the Victorian belief in the power of libraries or free galleries and classic parks.

If there is a broken Britain the anomie at the centre of community life has got to be tackled, and opening yet another 24 hour ASDA selling cheap booze is not gonna eliminate another generation of Karen Mathews:ohno:

This is going to sound really dumb but i will ask anyway. Does Liverpool have a central library? Been hear for over a year and im not aware of one...

Yeah Picton library next to the main museum.

Yep, it's on William Brown Street near St. George's Hall, between the World Museum and the Walker Art Gallery.

Thanks. Wasnt aware there was one. Now i know :)

Noticed a fair bit of activity at the railway sidings in Wavertree Park recently, sign says 'Birse Rail' anyone know what this is about?

http://img340.imageshack.us/img340/9083/abcd0005ko7.jpg

Not sure Tom. The Planning Explorer seems to be working today, but the only potentially relevant application I can find relates to the levelling of the ground of the former Wavertree Station approach to the level of Wellington Road. However this was withdrawn in 2006, so it can't be that.

Is it something to do with that 'Olive Mount Chord' scheme, the new 750m of track.

Or wasn't there something about a new mantenance area being built?

Phil, the Olive Mount Chord is on a different line. That runs roughly between Mill Lane and the Total Fitness centre on Edge Lane Retail Park, underneath the roundabout on Rathbone Road. The area in question above is adjacent to the line that travels over Wellington Road, on the edge of The Mystery, near the new pool.

Phil, the Olive Mount Chord is on a different line. That runs roughly between Mill Lane and the Total Fitness centre on Edge Lane Retail Park, underneath the roundabout on Rathbone Road. The area in question above is adjacent to the line that travels over Wellington Road, on the edge of The Mystery, near the new pool.

Cheers Chris, if i had seen the picture i might have twigged it was somewhere else, i can't see pics when at work, they are blocked, i'm at home now and can see the pic. I've also just looked at Google maps to orientate myself. :)

I keep waiting for Lawrence Road to 'take off' in that area and pray that it doesn't end up going down the Earle Road route.

Whats the Earle Road route?

row upon row of boarded up terraced houses. earle road directly leads onto lawrence road. i used to date a girl from gainsborough road in the early 90's and when we took a taxi home from town she would always tell the driver to go down earle road! great days!

Does anyone have any pictures of what it used to look like? I live just off it and would be interesting to see what it was like.

From the Echo -

Boot Estate plans ‘will still go ahead’

Dec 27 2008 by Neil Hodgson, Liverpool Echo

THE £200m regeneration of Liverpool’s Boot Estate will not be hit by the credit crunch, developers pledged today.

Lack of bank funds for major investments had led to fears that the proposed demolition of more than 1,000 houses on the estate in Norris Green and the construction of 1,100 new homes could be delayed.

But it is expected that work should start as near as possible to the original Spring target date.

Developer Inpartnership, which formed the InLiverpool joint venture with the council earlier this year to redevelop the estate, is involved in weekly talks in London with the Housing and Communities Agency (HCA) over funding methods to ensure the regeneration goes ahead.

Managing director Duncan Sutherland said: “They are looking at flexible funding methods to help bridge the gap until the market picks up again. If we could get a good negotiation with HCA we could move forward, certainly in 2009.”

He said one proposal is to offer ‘shared equity’ deals on new houses, where the developer retains a stake in the property, to help people raise money for a mortgage.

He added: “To get things moving we have to look at these innovative tools now.

“The government wants Norris Green to happen and our partnership to work.”

He said the new funds through HCA will be available from April so a delay to work starting will be inevitable, but he added: “I am hoping we can get things going next year. If we are successful with the HCA we can move incredibly quickly.”

Article continues here - http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2008/12/27/boot-estate-plans-will-still-go-ahead-100252-22555931/

Sorry to be negative but lately regeneration locally is going backwards.

I noticed the car sales place on Brewster st boarded up recently and the Merton pub closed down. Both look unsightly. This is probably down to the recession, Brown's policies and the tax on drink which is forcing bars to close. Small businesses are certainly finding it tough.:ohno:

Sorry to be negative but lately regeneration locally is going backwards.

I noticed the car sales place on Brewster st boarded up recently and the Merton pub closed down. Both look unsightly. This is probably down to the recession, Brown's policies and the tax on drink which is forcing bars to close. Small businesses are certainly finding it tough.:ohno:

Brewster St garage only closed in the last week or so. I saw all the cars being removed one day and then overnight the place had been boarded up and fenced off.

It does look bad.

Not great prospects for development in the current climate either so it could stay like that for a while :ohno:

the merton pub was a great boozer. :ohno:

Whats the Earle Road route?

Much of Earle Road used to be more like Lawrence Road is now (shops). The top end, especially on the left hand side was a little bit more residential. Lawrence Road has, fortunately, kept most of its shops and given the high density of students in that area, I keep on hoping that it will become more boho or given the increasing ethic diversity thereabouts a bit more varied in its offer.

Sorry to be negative but lately regeneration locally is going backwards.

I noticed the car sales place on Brewster st boarded up recently and the Merton pub closed down. Both look unsightly. This is probably down to the recession, Brown's policies and the tax on drink which is forcing bars to close. Small businesses are certainly finding it tough.:ohno:

I think the operative word here is 'locally'. It depends on which part(s) of the city you are talking about. Sadly in some areas the only 'regeneration' that was seen was the demolition of derelict or semi-derelict buildings.

That old flooring shop on the corner of Moss Street/Islington which is one of the biggest eyesores leading into the City Centre has a sign on it saying it's about to be demolished.I can't believe it's been allowed to stand for so long but thankfully it's about to be resigned to history,it makes me cringe every time I see it.:cheers:

^^

Good news indeed, i always expected a good gust of wind to do the job!

We used to get our 'oilcloth' from Aspinalls, it's a rickety old place. That's the unposh word for linoleum or lino by the way.

The Merton is being fitted out as an eaterie apparently.

If you take the New Heartland madness out of the picture - compared with say 5 years ago there are signs of regeneration in most parts of the city - it's just nowhere near the wholescale regeneration that is needed. I think people forget how bad it was five years ago, let alone the pits of 10 years ago.

Yes I heard that the Merton is soon to be Lloyds No.1

We used to get our 'oilcloth' from Aspinalls, it's a rickety old place. That's the unposh word for linoleum or lino by the way.

The Merton is being fitted out as an eaterie apparently.

you used to get some right top tottie at the Merton! :lol:

Yes I heard that the Merton is soon to be Lloyds No.1


That's good news, coupled with the auld carpet shop being torn down.

I agree with Babs there are green shoots of regeneration in inner city areas, we just need regeneration on a scale seen in the centre now.

Work to restore a 110-year-old conservatory in a Merseyside park has been completed.

The Isla Gladstone Conservatory, which has been out of use for 30 years, has undergone a make-over as part of the £14m regeneration of Stanley Park.

The entire structure was taken down piece by piece, examined for damage, rebuilt and re-glazed with 1,483 separate panes of glass.

The lake system in the 143-year-old Liverpool park was also restored.

Intricate ironwork and sandstone bridges throughout the park have been restored using old photographs to keep to original designs.

The restoration of the park is a critical and symbolic piece of the jigsaw to regenerate north Liverpool

Around 70,000 new trees and shrubs have been planted around the park, including the Tree of Heaven, Strawberry Tree, Scarlet Oak and Liquidambar.

Work began on the project in November 2007.

Councillor Berni Turner, from Liverpool City Council, said: "The restoration of the park is a critical and symbolic piece of the jigsaw to regenerate north Liverpool.

"I hope that residents and visitors alike will make the most of the green havens on their doorsteps."

Over the coming months CCTV cameras will be installed around the conservatory.

The park is one of Liverpool's oldest, dating from 1866, and is famously situated between Liverpool and Everton football clubs.

They really need to light some more of the paths through Stanley Park. Could hardly see 10 yards in front of me going to the tin mine for the match the other day.

http://www.placenorthwest.co.uk/assets/_files/cached/img/400x267.42857142857/may_08/pnw__1211351296_Atlantic_House_2.jpg
Aztec wins One Vision Housing contract

20 January 2009, 14:23

Liverpool-based Aztec Interiors (Northern), part of the Aztec Group, has won a six-figure contract to fit out the new 22,000 sq ft headquarters for One Vision Housing at Atlantic Park in Sefton.

Aztec beat four other firms on the shortlist to win the eight-week contract to prepare the first and second floors of the three-storey office.

Housing association One Vision will move 200 staff to the Royal London Asset Management-owned park when its office is finished.

One Vision will seek to sublet the remaining 11,000 sq ft ground floor office suite. The company was formed in October 2006 to take over Sefton council's housing stock.

Whitestone on course for Liverpool Travelodge

14 January 2009, 09:25

Planning permission has been granted for Warrington-based Whitestone Land to build a 66-room Travelodge hotel at Stonedale Retail Park in Liverpool.

The £4m hotel will open on the East Lancashire Road later this year, with accommodation over 4,200 sq ft of retail space.

Stonedale is an established park with McDonald's, KFC, Showcase Cinema and Frankie and Benny's among its occupiers.

Whitestone said it was on the lookout for leisure and retail opportunities across the country. Off-market deals are sought ranging from £250,000 to £5m in value.

Retail agents for Whitestone at Stonedale are Mowbray Gill.

£8m centre opens doors to community

Jan 27 2009
Richard Down, TMNW

A NEW £8m centre, at the heart of a scheme to regenerate a south Merseyside estate, has opened its doors.

The Halewood Centre brings together a range of Knowsley Council, NHS Knowsley and community services under one roof, and is the culmination of a project spanning more than two years. It includes 30 public services, including a Knowsley Council One Stop Shop, a new library, three GP surgeries, a community dentist, and pharmacy services.

Other services range from a Post Office, to Knowsley Housing Trust, Knowsley Works Plus and other NHS services such as diabetes, heart and blood services.
Halewood Town Council is now based there, as is Halewood Credit Union, and Halewood Citizen’s Advice Bureau.

Rosemary Hawley, chair of NHS Knowsley, said: “With such a comprehensive range of health and community services, the benefits and convenience this centre will bring local people are immeasurable.
“This is a landmark in the development of Halewood. This centre will provide local people with access to essential services in their community, meaning people will have the best health treatment and community facilities on their doorstep.”

Cllr Ken Keith, Knowsley Council’s cabinet member for corporate and customer services, said: “This is much more than a new building – residents will benefit from the joined-up way all the organisations based there are working together.”

I've warmed to Halewood since seeing Barry Worral's Halewoodstock in the Next Up exhibition of Liverpool based artists at the Bluecoat. His film is on a loop with Paul Bratt's Walking with Angels.

^^ in the name of god what the feck is a South Merseyside estate? :bash:

I live near Earle Road and the boarded up houses are due to be knocked down this year, fingers crossed, its so shit and very off putting

Moments from disaster as house collapses

Jan 28 2009
David Bartlett, TMNW

DEMOLITION contractors were last night working to make safe a building that collapsed in Liverpool almost seriously injuring two people.

Emergency crews were called to a three-storey end terrace in Park Road, Dingle, which partially collapsed at around 1.10pm. The building is believed to be derelict and in private ownership.

No one was injured in the incident. Window fitter James Halligan, 45, who witnessed the incident, said: “I was 10 seconds away from the building when it collapsed. It was terrifying. Two people had just walked past it – they would have been killed it had landed on them. Tons of the bricks flew on to the pavement and out on to the road.”

An unmarked police patrol car was passing the scene when the building collapsed. The officer immediately closed both carriageways. Mr Halligan said: “We couldn’t believe how close we were to the building. There was no obvious reason why it collapsed. It was just old and derelict. It's a miracle no-one was hurt.”

By 1.30pm, a search and rescue team had been sent away from the incident after it was established no one was trapped.

TO WATCH a video of the scene, log on to www.liverpooldailypost. co.uk/videos


This article illustrates a number of points:

(1) Not mentioned - this is actually the last group of (4) derelict buildings on Park Road if you exclude the wonderful Coleman's Fireproof Depository warehouse on the corner of Northumberland Street.

(2) This end of terrace anchored by a former Liverpool Savings Bank building on the corner of North Hill Street is architecturally and historically quite interesting and it's a crime against civic history that its slide into dereliction and destruction has been allowed to occur.

(3) LCC continually uses the excuse that a building is in private ownership to avoid taking any responsibility when it knows full well that the owners left the city years ago, and will never be coming back. The current generation probably isn't even aware that they own a property in Park Road.

(4) Nothing will happen to the remaining properties - they will continue to be left to fester whilst the council spends £150k+ on lighting up a flyover in town!
:nuts:

This article illustrates a number of points:

(1) Not mentioned - this is actually the last group of (4) derelict buildings on Park Road if you exclude the wonderful Coleman's Fireproof Depository warehouse on the corner of Northumberland Street.

(2) This end of terrace anchored by a former Liverpool Savings Bank building on the corner of North Hill Street is architecturally and historically quite interesting and it's a crime against civic history that its slide into dereliction and destruction has been allowed to occur.

(3) LCC continually uses the excuse that a building is in private ownership to avoid taking any responsibility when it knows full well that the owners left the city years ago, and will never be coming back. The current generation probably isn't even aware that they own a property in Park Road.

(4) Nothing will happen to the remaining properties - they will continue to be left to fester whilst the council spends £150k+ on lighting up a flyover in town!
:nuts:

yes the bank building was quite attractive but it's far too late now, the fact that it collapsed means it had probably been in a irrepairable state for many years now, i hope that the council clear these buildings and replace with a grassed over area as they have in other places, it's better than vacant unwanted buildings decaying, and ads a bit of public realm

^^ in the name of god what the feck is a South Merseyside estate? :bash:

Knowsley Hall with Lions and monkeys.....:)

I live near Earle Road and the boarded up houses are due to be knocked down this year, fingers crossed, its so shit and very off putting

It's hard to believe that the council started clearing this area in the early 70s. The area between Spekeland Road and Earle Road was completed first but many of the remaining streets between Earle Rd and Smithdown Road have been largely tinned since then.

Going down Spekeland Road now it's hard to believe that it once had a few shops, a school and a busy entrance to the Edge Hill shunting yards (or whatever these things are called). I particularly hate the way the modern development walls itself off from the street. Last time I went down there (a few months ago)it looked as though they were building houses on or near the site of the former scap/car repair place that had once been a school.

The time it has taken to get this far doesn't bode well for the New Heartlands scheme.

yes the bank building was quite attractive but it's far too late now, the fact that it collapsed means it had probably been in a irrepairable state for many years now, i hope that the council clear these buildings and replace with a grassed over area as they have in other places, it's better than vacant unwanted buildings decaying, and ads a bit of public realm

The 'bank' is still there!

This is a promising development.

09F/0190 The Dead House 158 /160 Earle Road Liverpool L7 6XA To refurbish former public house for use as nursery, cafe, seminar room, library and office with installation of new roof lights REGISTERED 29-01-2009

Its very sad about that building in Park Road, it breaks my heart to see the council continue to destroy our city. The majority of park road has already been wrecked and will never again be a nice attractive main road to town. Its all due to the area that the councilors dont live there or have any respect so screw it over instead, never mind that this goes against the whole idea of a council and what its meant to do

Some images of the proposPark Rd Tesco. Glad to see them learnnig teh lesson of Old Swan and bringing the store flush with the road.

http://northgate.liverpool.gov.uk/DocumentExplorer/Application/stream.aspx?target=http%3A%2F%2F10.8.21.67%2FNorthgate%2FDocumentExplorer%2FDocumentStream%2FDocumentStream.aspx%3Fname%3DPhotomontage%2B4626.1.jpg%26unique%3D731716%26type%3DMVMPRD_DC_PLANAPP

http://northgate.liverpool.gov.uk/DocumentExplorer/Application/stream.aspx?target=http%3A%2F%2F10.8.21.67%2FNorthgate%2FDocumentExplorer%2FDocumentStream%2FDocumentStream.aspx%3Fname%3DPhotomontage%2B4626.2.jpg%26unique%3D731716%26type%3DMVMPRD_DC_PLANAPP

Realism is called for here. At least its ten times better than Mecca. Tesco has abandoned attempting to make its superstores look like English villages of yore and now prefers the large shed'n'glass approach and this isn't as shed'n'glass as it could have been. I agree that building it flush with the pavement works well. I would have liked to have seen more height on the High Park Street side but you can't have everything and if it gets built it will be the best thing to happen to Park Road in a very long time.

I agree. I've heard that Tesco have also donated/bribed the community by providing a single unit for community use. This is to be along the lines of the Smithdown Tesco model.

Overall, this will have a massive benefit to the area as the old Mecca site is a disgrace. The housing stock going towards the river is good. Transport links are too. Add the new housing built over the last couple of years and this could be a new beginning for Park Road.

Sefton tenders £4m activity centre

6 February 2009, 09:03

Sefton council is looking for a construction company to build the new Netherton Activity Centre on Glovers Lane, Bootle.

The £4.2m contract is expected to start on site in autumn 2009 and last for a period of 12 months.

Firms have until 5 March to express their interest .

City Point 27,500 sq feet of grade A office space, divided into 16 self contained office suites with car parking on Great Homer St, 1 mile from the city centre.

Great to see this one made it, looks very smart.


http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/1433/p1000243wn0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)


http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/3997/p1000244jy0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)


http://img21.imageshack.us/img21/1631/p1000245am7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

It's a nice little development.

Would be good to see more like this around Vauxy/Scotty. There's a lot of potential there.

Hotel plan for city’s riverside district
Feb 9 2009

DEVELOPERS are hoping to secure planning permission for a 153-room hotel on the fringe of the city centre.

Liverpool-based Harvey Developments have announced plans to build 135,000sq ft of Grade A office space and a hotel overlooking Liverpool’s waterfront, on Riverside Drive.

The site, opposite the Jaguar showroom, will include two state-of-the-art office blocks – one 120,000 sq ft and one 14,000 sq ft – and an 11-storey hotel block.

Brunswick station is a 10-minute walk away, with Greens Health Club behind it, and the city centre is a 10-minute drive.

Hitchcock Wright & Partners have been appointed sole agents on the project – shortly to be sub-mitted for planning permission.

Brian Ricketts, partner at Hitchcock Wright, said: “This is a great site and a great project in a prime location.

“We are inviting expressions of interest in the site and scheme, and are keen to discuss pre-lets with interested parties.”

Several developers in the city have vowed to push ahead with their projects despite the worsening recession.

In January, partners Y1 and Richmont confirmed they are still planning to build the nation’s highest residential skyscraper, King Edward Tower, overlooking Princes Dock.

The £130m, 54-storey project will add 412 apartments to the city’s property market.

And Harvey’s latest develop-ment will be just metres from another “mixed use” site on the corner of Sefton Street and Parliament Street.

Also, Vermont’s The Quarter will include a four-star, 173-bed Ramada Plaza Hotel and a 22-storey tower with 66 apartments.

The £100m project ground to a halt in the second half of last year after some of Vermont’s joint ventures hit financial trouble.

It was announced in December that work on The Quarter would resume early this year.

I'm surprised no-one is trying to turn the Britannia into a 153 room-hotel. Every so often there is talk of it being turned into a 'boutique' hotel but nothing happens.

Any plans for hotels elsewhere along Riverside Drive should come with the proviso - no red brick, no tinted glass, and no faux Victorian roofscapes.

I'm surprised no-one is trying to turn the Britannia into a 153 room-hotel. Every so often there is talk of it being turned into a 'boutique' hotel but nothing happens.

Any plans for hotels elsewhere along Riverside Drive should come with the proviso - no red brick, no tinted glass, and no faux Victorian roofscapes.

not to worry, none of the above here, and the massive investment in office provision is pretty good aswell
http://images.icnetwork.co.uk/upl/liverpoolpost/feb2009/4/0/5ACE631B-9F5B-FFE1-37CCC11A1B45073E.jpg

I'll believe that when I see it. Currently the developers have reached only the "Frenson stage" i.e. planning applciation followed by a punt into the market. This is a purely speculative planning aplication and not one penny is coming in at this stage.

Saying that, this is all part of how things get done I suppose. I just hate this stage when it's all CGI and no actual investment or delivery.

are there not flats already built on that site??

I'll believe that when I see it. Currently the developers have reached only the "Frenson stage" i.e. planning applciation followed by a punt into the market. This is a purely speculative planning aplication and not one penny is coming in at this stage.

Saying that, this is all part of how things get done I suppose. I just hate this stage when it's all CGI and no actual investment or delivery.

they already essentially have planning permission, except tthe original permission was for a much smaller amount of office space with the buildings being for the apartment market, the fact that they have gone back and changed it's use to one that is more financially viable show that they at least have a fair level of commitment