do some ordinary people become demolition junkies when they are named councillors?

why that emphasys on demolishing houses? to be supplanted by what?

gets me so angry

do some ordinary people become demolition junkies when they are named councillors?

why that emphasys on demolishing houses? to be supplanted by what?

gets me so angry

Demolition junkies. I like it! :lol:

Gets me angry too. HMRI is what happens when stupidity meets desperation. Demolish usually good houses to replace them with often cheaper, nastier houses.

Not a single long term job is created thus continuing the process that lead to the houses becoming run down in the first place.

but something must be done!!!

until councillors realise they are nobody to alter the fabric a whole neighbourhoods nor uproot communities, I wander how many of them live in these stunning, redeveloped areas? if any

grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

The problem I have with some of the HMRI thinking is that there is not enough of an emphasis placed on some of the other key aspects to regeneration e.g supporting higher levels of enterprise, improving connectivity, attracting investment etc. None of this is easy but I struggle to see how demolishing houses and replacing them with low quality ones can be described as progress. Having said that I think some neighbourhoods in Liverpool were allowed to decline that much that maybe demolition was the only answer. I think this was the case in only a handful of streets though.

I have seen very little modern housing that is distinctive or has character. Some of it is ok, but still vapid.

but something must be done!!!

until councillors realise they are nobody to alter the fabric a whole neighbourhoods nor uproot communities, I wander how many of them live in these stunning, redeveloped areas? if any

grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr



sorry, I ment wonder

regards

I agree Jane, Allerton Road does look good. It's just unfortunate that the funding from Tesco doesn't seem to have stretched to the section of the central reservation closest to the Queens Drive junction, which has merely had the barrier removed, and the tarmac replaced. It would have been nice to see the paving and trees continue into this section as well.

Hopefully at some point the works will be extended on the other side of the Queens Drive junction, up to the Sgt Peppers Bistro.

New £16m Knowsley Leisure and Culture Park opens

A new multi-million pound leisure centre has opened in Merseyside, which will also provide a new home for the region's basketball team.

The £16.1m Knowsley Leisure and Culture Park is equipped with two pools, a sports hall, gym, dance studio, spa and beauty treatment areas.

The complex has been built on the former St Thomas Becket School site in Longview Drive, Huyton.

Mersey Tigers have announced they will play their home fixtures at the centre.

The sports centre will be equipped with two 25m-long swimming pools.

A Knowsley Council spokesman said that later in the year, a 400m outdoor velodrome and BMX track is due to open.

"The BMX track will be located in the centre of the velodrome, which has only been seen once before in Europe at Antwerp in Belgium," he said.

Councillor Eddie Connor, cabinet member for leisure, community and culture, said: "It's great that we are able to offer such extensive facilities in Knowsley, including our new velodrome and BMX track.

"I'd encourage as many people as possible to come and have a look around and use the world-class facilities we have on offer here."

Middle income group submit plan to buy up Granby street

A GROUP of people who cannot get on the housing list or afford to buy a home have submitted a business plan to take over and redevelop 10 houses in Granby.

Members of the Northern Alliance Housing Co-Op intend to buy properties by raising capital from lenders and then charging rents at 80% or below of market rate to repay the debt.

They want to refit derelict terraces with solar panels to bring emissions down by 80% and offset some debts through renewable energy generation.

Work on the houses will be carried out by local tradesmen.

Co-operative member Ed Gommon, 32, has worked on the plan for a year.

He said: “We can now start to approach lenders with a credible plan.

“We are seeking funding from two streams - they are banks and building societies and the Government’s empty homes fund.”

Read More http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2011/09/29/middle-income-group-submit-plan-to-buy-up-granby-street-100252-29505884/#ixzz1ZLYmd4vb

Middle income group submit plan to buy up Granby street

A GROUP of people who cannot get on the housing list or afford to buy a home have submitted a business plan to take over and redevelop 10 houses in Granby.

Members of the Northern Alliance Housing Co-Op intend to buy properties by raising capital from lenders and then charging rents at 80% or below of market rate to repay the debt.

They want to refit derelict terraces with solar panels to bring emissions down by 80% and offset some debts through renewable energy generation.

Work on the houses will be carried out by local tradesmen.

Co-operative member Ed Gommon, 32, has worked on the plan for a year.

He said: “We can now start to approach lenders with a credible plan.

“We are seeking funding from two streams - they are banks and building societies and the Government’s empty homes fund.”

Read More http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2011/09/29/middle-income-group-submit-plan-to-buy-up-granby-street-100252-29505884/#ixzz1ZLYmd4vb

Good luck to them, hopefully it works and can be much copied to bring our Victorian streets back to life rather than continuing to demolish them.

Exactly,it's a pity there isn't more of this going on.

Apologies if this has been posted elsewhere/previously:

BARRATT Homes (Manchester) and Peel Holdings have submitted a joint application to build an estate of 268 houses on the approach road to Liverpool John Lennon Airport.

It includes new access roads and pedestrian links from Speke Hall Avenue and Cartswright Farm road to the site, as well as new parking and public spaces.

The application, prepared by consultancy GL Hearn, is for a range of 2, 3 and 4-bed family homes on a 7.8 hectare site to the north of Liverpool John Lennon Airport. The greenfield site is next to existing housing, as well as being close to a new garden centre and a retail/leisure scheme also planned by Peel.

It states there is a significant requirement of housing in Liverpool, and that there are "clear benefits" to the scheme.

"The proposed development will contribute towards on-going regeneration in this part of Speke and will further assist the council to improve the area by providing high quality family housing and important useable open space," it said.

Source - thebusinessdesk.com

Anyone know if this is the same site as the new garden centre/hotel/pub/restaurants etc or further round where the old Dunlops footy pitch was/other hotel?

Cartswright Farm Road is the right that leads to the ambulance station.

As old Sebo used to write, despite HMRI, demolition and innercity dereliction, Liverpool is nevertheless still expanding at its outer margins!

Crete and candia towers in north Liverpool are being totally refurbished by a private developer into 3 bedroom apartments each and then being sold to investors on premise that it wld attract good rental demand. Upcoming Jennifer regeneration project is claimed to be another attraction in the area.
How do you think the demand for these two properties would be like going ahead... Would these get the image makeover once in private hands or wld they still be regarded as some old towers that once housed students...

^^ This development should be welcomed as hardly anything happens north of Byrom Street.

The Everton area should be earmarked for a new university, perhaps technical. It could be built on Everton park, which is a fragmented area, and I wouldn't have a problem with seeing some of it built on in order to enhance the rest. Integrating a higher education campus with the park would transform Everton, bring a lot of young people and professionals into the area and have great views over the city and the river.

[QUOTE=Medici;84574023]^^ This development should be welcomed as hardly anything happens north of Byrom Street.

The Everton area should be earmarked for a new university, perhaps technical. It could be built on Everton park, which is a fragmented area, and I wouldn't have a problem with seeing some of it built on in order to enhance the rest. Integrating a higher education campus with the park would transform Everton, bring a lot of young people and professionals into the area and have great views over the city and the river.[/


So a broader redevelopment of the area should help. Correct me if I am wrong, but regeneration project Jennifer is in same area and it entails retail, commercial and some residential etc over next 3-4 years.

[QUOTE=Medici;84574023]^^ This development should be welcomed as hardly anything happens north of Byrom Street.

The Everton area should be earmarked for a new university, perhaps technical. It could be built on Everton park, which is a fragmented area, and I wouldn't have a problem with seeing some of it built on in order to enhance the rest. Integrating a higher education campus with the park would transform Everton, bring a lot of young people and professionals into the area and have great views over the city and the river.[/


So a broader redevelopment of the area should help. Correct me if I am wrong, but regeneration project Jennifer is in same area and it entails retail, commercial and some residential etc over next 3-4 years.


Project Jennifer is earmarked for land between Great Homer Street and Scotland Road but is beset with delays. If it ever happens it will help but inner north Liverpool still needs more regeneration. The area I was thinking of is up the hill on Netherfield road which would be a great site for a new university, or perhaps an extension in the future of Liverpool Hope University which is already based in the area.

yes u r right, too many delays in this jennifer regen project which makes it tough to bet on until it gets off the ground. wld wait and watch therefore...

University Technical College to open in north Liverpool by 2013

LIVERPOOL will open a new college within two years to create “the next generation” of scientists, engineers and health workers.

The base for 14 to 19-year-olds was among 13 bids approved by the government to become one of its flagship University Technical Colleges (UTCs). It is due to open in 2013.

UTCs are university and business-sponsored colleges which combine practical and academic studies.

Employers shape the curriculum as well as setting projects and offering work placements.

Prime minister David Cameron championed UTCs as a way of “offering first-class technical skills to those turned off by purely academic study”.

The North Liverpool Life Sciences UTC, to open in the north of the city on a yet-to-be-finalised site, will be led by sponsors University of Liverpool, the Everton-based North Liverpool Academy and the Royal Liverpool Hospital.

Specialising in bio-medical sciences, engineering and healthcare, the sponsors will work hand-in-hand with businesses from the sector, ranging from global biopharmaceutical company Bristol Myers Squibb to commodities group Unilever.

The Baker Dearing Educational Trust, which promotes UTCs and was co-founded by former education secretary Lord Kenneth Baker, said the Liverpool base will have around 600 students.

Read More http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2011/10/11/university-technical-college-to-open-in-north-liverpool-by-2013-100252-29572230/#ixzz1aTjylVb3

Good to see it will be built in North Liverpool :)

I just get the feeling this will end up locating in a pre-existing facility or something. I really hope it is going to be a new build. Maybe part of what Eldonians are developing.

Derelict Liverpool landmark, the Florence Institute, is four months away from opening again

A LIVERPOOL landmark which lay derelict for three decades will open its doors to the public in less than five months, the trust behind a £6.4m restoration programme revealed last night.

While tarpaulin still shrouds the Florence Institute in Mill Street, Dingle, a team of 30 contractors are working flat out to meet their March deadline.

Work at the Grade II-listed Victorian boys’ club, wrecked in an arson attack in 1999, will see the “Florrie” open as a social hub – hosting weddings, live music events, functions, gym classes and education tours.

Eight new start-up businesses, including a small cafe, will launch when the building work is completed by the contractors currently on site.
Dianne Thompson Chief Exec Camelot, visited the Florence Institute Mill Lane to look at the progress following Heritage Lottery Funding. Hannah Wooller(Project Architect Purcell Miller Tritton) explains to Dianne.

Dianne Thompson, chief executive of lottery operator Camelot, which granted £3.7m towards the project, yesterday toured the vast structure.

She said she was “thrilled” by the progress being made on the site, which shut in the 1980s when funding dried up.

Ms Thompson said: “It is fantastic – it is what lottery funding was for.

“This is going to be such a wonderful venue when it is finished.

“The lottery is behind the greatest civic regeneration programme since Victorian times so it is wonderful to see a wonderful building from that era brought back to life.

“I am delighted to have been shown around – it is absolutely terrific.”

The Florrie, which opened in 1890 as the first purpose-built boys’ youth club in the country, will reopen following an eight-year battle by community leaders to raise funds to revive the architectural gem.

Denise Bernard, chairwoman of trustees, saw the building shut when she moved to Dingle as a teenager.

Now 39, Ms Bernard said the regenerated building would once again become a hub of the community.

Features include a creche, a heritage resource centre with IT and a small library and a 300-seat auditorium available for hire for functions. Another area will host indoor sports.

Mrs Bernard said: “For years, the Florrie has just been standing there with nothing happening. It was a sorry sight and neighbours were up in arms because she was such an eyesore. She was a blight on the community.

“After the arson, there was no floor, no ceiling, everything was fire-damaged. Some people wanted her to be razed to the ground but thankfully the appetite was to save her.

Read More http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-news/regional-news/2011/10/27/derelict-liverpool-landmark-the-florence-institute-is-four-months-away-from-opening-again-92534-29669036/2/#ixzz1bzRFKmIX

I met one of the trustees recently who said they were really making good progress now. They are hoping to offer pre-completion tours to the public, with tenants being able to set up shop in March. This is a good step towards the wider regeneration of the area, but we need many, many more.

Will the roof be similar to how it used to be in this link or is that going to be too expensive to recreate?

http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?q=the+florrie&um=1&hl=en&client=firefox-a&sa=N&rls=org.mozilla:en-GB:official&channel=np&biw=1032&bih=506&tbm=isch&tbnid=AKI-m5U5eg3QDM:&imgrefurl=http://liverpoolhistorysocietyquestions.blogspot.com/2011/02/florence-institute-dingle-florrie.html&docid=AOsLtjMhR4d--M&imgurl=http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w7LqyMybvjQ/TWD7oipGDiI/AAAAAAAAAaA/6QycqTnoB_8/s1600/florence02.jpg&w=600&h=454&ei=Qm-pToXgNZKGhQeWuuWmDg&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=328&vpy=164&dur=582&hovh=148&hovw=207&tx=97&ty=67&sig=113396143863565547698&page=1&tbnh=148&tbnw=207&start=0&ndsp=8&ved=1t:429,r:1,s:0

http://theflorrie.org/

Stobart Widnes hub in line for new jobs and investment

NEW investment and jobs are in the pipeline at logistics group Stobart’s Widnes multi-modal gateway.

The Warrington-based group is working with an unnamed third party to create rail sidings for a new development at the road, rail and sea hub which could be ready by October 2012.

Stobart has already developed a distribution operation for Tesco which now receives six freight trains a day.

Commenting on the new investment deputy chief executive and company secretary Richard Butcher said: “We are working with them on new sidings and it could be ready by October 2012.

“The third party would bring a significant investment and create quite a number of jobs which would be great for Widnes and the wider region.”

Read More http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/ldpbusiness/business-local/2011/10/27/stobart-widnes-hub-in-line-for-new-jobs-and-investment-92534-29669849/#ixzz1c09NbvVL

I wonder if this could be the Amazon distribution centre....

I wonder if this could be the Amazon distribution centre....

They were in advanced talks as of last month?

http://news.myhermes.co.uk/amazon-planning-multi-million-pound-widnes-distribution-centre-reports-say-800731421.news

Quite a decent develoment on Shaw St, next to the Collegiate.

Recommended for approval at the next committee meeting.
http://northgate.liverpool.gov.uk/DocumentExplorer/Application/folderview.aspx?type=MVMPRD_DC_PLANAPP&key=796752

Quite a decent develoment on Shaw St, next to the Collegiate.

Recommended for approval at the next committee meeting.
http://northgate.liverpool.gov.uk/DocumentExplorer/Application/folderview.aspx?type=MVMPRD_DC_PLANAPP&key=796752

What is it?

A 6 storey student residence, with capacity for 240 students. All the details are in the link provided by buggedboy.
A 5/6 storey residential development was orginally planned, but in the current climate it wouldn't have made much sense for a developer.

A 6 storey student residence, with capacity for 240 students. All the details are in the link provided by buggedboy.
A 5/6 storey residential development was orginally planned, but in the current climate it wouldn't have made much sense for a developer.

Thanks. I couldn't find it on the database for some reason. This is good news. My dad grew up by the park and it's sad to see it so under-used and in it's current state.

New equestrian centre and Liverpool’s first zero carbon home set for approval

PLANS for a new purpose-built equestrian centre and Liverpool’s first zero carbon home are set to be approved by Liverpool council.

Maghull Developments wants to build the project on the former Allerton Priory Home Farm, in south Liverpool.

Occupying 36 acres on green space between Allerton Road and Woolton Road, the company hopes to create stabling for 38 horses.

Liverpool’s planning committee will consider the application tomorrow and officials have recommended the scheme be approved.

Maghull’s planning consultant Richard Gee said: “This is a unique development for Liverpool which retains the openness of the site and replicates its historic use.”

Maghull Developments already operates Formby Hall golf resort and hopes its latest leisure development will mean the well heeled of south Liverpool no longer have to travel as far to other equestrian centres.

The developments sit in the so-called “green wedge” – where developments are restricted.

“Although the proposed built development will inevitably have some effect on the open character of the green wedge the benefits gained from enhancing the recreational role... outweigh any harm,” states a planning report.

Read More http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-news/regional-news/2011/11/07/new-equestrian-centre-and-liverpool-s-first-zero-carbon-home-set-for-approval-92534-29731160/#sitelife-commentsWidget-bottom#ixzz1d1Qaf4xt

£16m Merseyside housing boost

MERSEYSIDE councils will learn today that they will receive almost £16m to regenerate housing stock.

The cash injection, a total of £15.7m, has come from the Housing Market Transitional Fund, set up after the government pulled the plug on the Housing Market Renewal project last October – leaving many areas in limbo.

Liverpool is expected to get £9.3m, Wirral £3m and Sefton £3.4m from the fund, which requires match funding from the councils themselves..

Liverpool’s bid focused on the hardest hit areas of Anfield Breckfield, the Easby Estate, the Welsh Streets, Edge Lane and Picton.

Read More http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-news/regional-news/2011/11/24/16m-merseyside-housing-boost-92534-29831668/#ixzz1ecY3CjnR

Liverpool’s Townsend Lane Dockers Club to close to make way for Tesco

ONE of Liverpool’s last dockers clubs looks set to be demolished to make way for a Tesco.

The club, which was opened in 1949, has been sold to the supermarket giant for an undisclosed sum.

Its trustees said the closure of the club was the “end of an era” but that it had been making a loss for several years and couldn’t survive.

The supermarket plan – which Tesco bosses said could create up to 250 jobs for the local community – would see development on two of the site’s four football pitches, which is likely to raise objections from Sport England.

Tesco said it was in discussions with both the council and Sport England over the plans – which would affect half of the 12-acre site – although no planning application has been lodged.

Read More http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2011/11/25/liverpool-s-townsend-lane-dockers-club-to-close-to-make-way-for-tesco-100252-29839074/#ixzz1ehoSddRi

Will this be the death knell for many of the independent, locally-owned shops between there and the ASDA on Breck Road?
Or "an expanded retail offer for the local community"?

Went for an explore about the Lovell scheme at kensington Court. Very impressed. I like the buildings fronting onto the main road, whilst those beyond are even better. They are certainly more attractive than the Bellway schemes nearby, though they aren't at all bad.

If we can get Edge Lane West up to or beyond the qualty of Kensington Fields, then we'll be laughing.

I drove past them and thought the same myself,it's looking good.

Plans for more than 250 homes on South Liverpool docklands approved

PLANS for more than 250 family homes on docklands in Speke have been approved by city planners.

Barratt Homes, working with landowner Peel Holdings, intend to build 268 houses with between one and four bedrooms, on land off Speke Hall Road.

The land is now owned by Peel Holdings, and is largely overgrown and unused.

At yesterday’s planning committee, city planners said by allowing the housing development to go ahead it would stop other, less attractive, developments going ahead.

In a separate application, 48 houses were approved on nearby Cressington Heath in Garston. The development, by Redrow, will complete the estate, which was begun in 2004 after permission from the government to build 300 homes.

Read More http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-news/regional-news/2011/11/30/plans-for-more-than-250-homes-on-south-liverpool-docklands-approved-92534-29867146/#ixzz1fCdvGk9Z

Docklands in Speke?

Thats a new one.

Oh dear, local journalism at its best. Again.

This reminds me of an old X Files episode where Scully and Mulder were investigating the disappearance of a Royal Navy ship that had sailed out of...... Leeds.

That's a sizeable development, though. I hope it's not one of those cul-de-sac/backs-to-civilization schemes.

I'm noticing stuff like this all of the time now,they're an absolute joke.

The Echo has lost it complete. The war being waged in their website on its postive coverage of Shitewives by the online population of Liverpool is amusing. So out of touch are they with the city's population, they thought the dreadful programme would be a boost to sales.

And they got caught out in the recent email scandal that they're one of Kenwright and co's public mouthpieces.

Anyone know what the plans are for the former BP garage on Booker Avenue and the corner plot of land opposite? They've both been left unused for a while now yet they're good spots.

Stobart and Pilkington secure £172m of investment to create thousands of jobs

Two firms in the Liverpool city region have secured £172m of private and public sector investment to safeguard and create thousands of jobs.

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has confirmed that logistics giant Stobart and glassmaker Pilkington will go forward with two major infrastructure projects with support from the Governments Regional Growth Fund (RGF).

As first revealed by the LDP Business earlier this year, Stobart will receive £9m of RGF cash towards the £139m transformation of its Widnes freight park and Pilkington will get a £5m contribution towards its £33m coating plant.Stobart, will expand the site in a move that is expected to create 3,450 direct jobs and 1,276 indirect jobs.

Read More http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/ldpbusiness/business-local//tm_headline=stobart-and-pilkington-secure-163-172m-of-investment-to-create-thousands-of-jobs%26method=full%26objectid=29904794%26siteid=92534-name_page.html#ixzz1flMSiIHd

Changes to Toxteth ‘Firefit’

REVISED plans to rebuild a Liverpool sports centre and create a new home for a fire station were approved yesterday.

The project will see Toxteth Sports Centre completely rebuilt with a new sports hall, fitness suite, climbing wall, multi activity room and dance/drama studio.

The number of sports courts has been reduced from eight to six.

The scheme was originally priced at £4.8m, but it is not known how much the changes will save.

Read More http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2012/01/11/changes-to-toxteth-firefit-and-200m-waste-plant-approved-100252-30098792/#ixzz1j9OSQBOf

Final piece of funding for new £5.2m fire station complex for Toxteth

THE FINAL piece of funding has arrived for a £5.2m project which will see a new state-of-the-art fire station built at Toxteth.

The station will include youth, community and sporting facilities, such as new football pitches, a martial arts studio, dance studio and a new gym.

It is being built on the corner of Upper Warwick Street and Windsor Street, and will be known as the Toxteth Fire Fit Hub.

The last piece of funding has come from the Department for Education, which is making a contribution of £2.3m towards the project under its “myplace” initiative.

Kieran Timmins, deputy chief executive of Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority, said: “The Toxteth Fire Fit Hub is completely unique. It is the biggest Fire and Rescue Service project of its kind in the UK and it is one of the biggest social regeneration projects in Toxteth. The arrival of this funding is one of the largest pieces in this jigsaw to create a stronger community and a brighter future.”

Read More http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2012/02/06/final-piece-of-funding-for-new-5-2m-fire-station-complex-for-toxteth-100252-30273117/#ixzz1low2m68D

Check out trailer number 2. Excellent stuff.
http://www.theflorrie.tv/

Does anyone know when the Florrie is due for completion?

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj32/buggedboy/IMAG0167-2.jpg
http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj32/buggedboy/IMAG0164-1.jpg

Stunning - never seen this building before.

^^^^

Yes stunning indeed, an evocative picture in the sense that it is a stark reminder that this city used to be chock full of similar Victorian/Edwardian red brick muncipality and private provision.

Even allowing for regular bouts of lack of cash, difficulty utilising some buildings etc it is still genuinely perplexing that the all mighty, stuffed to the gunnels well staffed/resourced local and national bureauocracies could have been so destructive and neglectful of such a built environment.

£25m regeneration scheme for semi-derelict Liverpool 'Four Streets' in Granby

MORE than £25m will be ploughed into a regeneration project to build 50 new homes and refurbish 149 others in semi-derelict Liverpool streets.

Developer Leader1 (Liverpool) Ltd has won a contract with Liverpool City Council to undertake the work across three sites – in the Granby ‘Four Streets’ area, Webster Triangle, Wavertree, and Arnside Road, Edge Hill.

Work on the three-year £25.6m project, subject to the signing of a legal agreement, is now expected to start in May.

The award follows a tender process which invited proposals to regenerate neighbourhoods following the withdrawal of the Housing Market Renewal fund (HMRI).

In the Four Streets area of Granby, only around 70 of 200 properties are currently occupied. Residents groups have been campaigning for regeneration of Victorian terraces in Beaconsfield Street, Cairns Street, Jermyn Street and Ducie Street.

Ronnie Hughes of social enterprise A Sense Of Place, which has been working with residents in the area, said: “We are really glad to see something happening after years of nothing. What we need to do now is sit down with Leader1 to talk in detail about the plans.”

Read More http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2012/03/06/25m-regeneration-scheme-for-semi-derelict-liverpool-four-streets-in-granby-100252-30467511/#ixzz1oLUTtNLh

£45m Toxteth regeneration to include UK’s first slave trade victims memorial
Marc Waddington | Mar 13 2012 |

http://images.icnetwork.co.uk/upl/liverpoolecho/mar2012/0/9/joe-anderson-outside-st-james-church-in-toxteth-542717559.jpg
Joe Anderson, outside St James' Church in Toxteth

TOXTETH (http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-communities/toxteth-dingle/) is in line for a major transformation worth £47m – including the UK’s first monument to victims of the slave trade.

The massive project will see St James Church on the corner of Upper Parliament Street and Park Road refurbished, and an “African Garden of Remembrance” placed in the graveyard in recognition of the many slaves who were buried there.

The council hopes the monument will be a “major pilgrimage attraction bringing tourists and particularly religious sightseers from America, the Caribbean and West Africa”.

There are also around 400 jobs likely to be created by the “St James Quarter”, with around 200 in the construction phase and the same amount working in the health centre, nursery, sports hall and visitor centre which will also form part of the scheme.

The regeneration project will also provide new housing.

It will be undertaken jointly by the council and LivServ, a charity linked to the Anglican diocese and specifically created for the project

The church, built in 1775, is Grade II listed but has fallen into disrepair in recent years.

It will be brought back to life to provide community projects including projects as varied as pre-marriage preparation to drug addiction support, an arts academy and debt counselling.

Council leader Cllr Joe Anderson said parts of Toxteth had been overlooked in regeneration terms in recent years, and that the scheme would reinvent the area.

He added: “The church is a remarkable treasure trove of the history of that particular period of the city’s history in terms of the people buried there who are victims of the slave trade.

“This will bring a few hundred jobs and new housing and community facilities.

“When money is tight the likes of church grounds and historic buildings don’t get priority, so the area has been overlooked in many ways.

“But this project will inspire regeneration of the wider area.”

“There are those who say you can’t keep your history and modernise at the same time, but this will be a classic example of how you can do that.”

Source: Liverpool Echo (http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2012/03/13/45m-toxteth-regeneration-to-include-uk-s-first-slave-trade-victims-memorial-100252-30517431/)

Cant see Design Man being happy about certain parts of this project ;)

This is very old news and there is no information whatsoever about whether or funding has been secured. This one will be years away from beibg on site, if it ever does. Still, I like the mix of uses.

It's a shame if you're right about it being years away. I got really exited when I read that article. I'd love to see this area built up it really is a key site for Toxteth, the Dingle and the South of the city centre. In theory it seems so simple to make it more densely populated and then they could reopen the station that is right there. That station would be good I think as it would count as city centre and it would open up that area. If they could make these big improvements at that end of Park Road to compliment what is happening further up I'd be delighted.

I'd love for something to be done with Park Road, it used to be a dense and impressive city thoroughfare and deserves better. There are still the odd gem that c*nts at the council haven't managed to destroy just yet

Around 500 homes near Liverpool FC to be saved from demolition under “Anfield Village” plans

A MULTI-MILLION pound plan to transform swathes of housing around Liverpool FC’s Anfield football stadium can be revealed today.

The council is announcing blueprints to refurbish homes that will end years of delay in the drive to regenerate parts of L4 – renamed “Anfield Village”.

Houses to be refurbished rather than demolished include those within the boundary of Back Rockfield Road, Walton Breck Road, Sleepers Hill and Saker Street.

But the council warned that a small handful of these homes may also have to be demolished because they have fallen into disrepair in recent years.

The scheme – to be funded jointly by the council and the Homes and Communities Agency – will affect just over 600 properties and see around £16m of investment pumped in.

Council leader Cllr Joe Anderson said the move was great news for the people of Anfield, whose futures have been in doubt since the government pulled its funding for the Housing Market Renewal (HMRI) programme.

It saw many homes in the area torn down or fall into decay after their residents were moved out.

The plans will roll together what were phases six and seven of HMRI into one. Around 90 homes close to Liverpool Football Club will be demolished and the remainder of the 600 repaired.

However, houses in the V Streets directly across from Anfield stadium – which were in phase five of the scheme – are still to be demolished.

Cllr Anderson said: “This will give a modern and green feel to this area with some properties knocked into the other to create family accommodation and affordable housing.”

Gardens and driveways will be included in some homes while new technologies like LED lighting are set to be installed.

Cllr Anderson insisted the housing transformation was in no way affected by Liverpool FC’s decision to either remain at its current Anfield home, or move to a new 60,000-seater stadium in Stanley Park.

The club is remaining tight-lipped about its intentions, but the ECHO has learnt a decision is not far away.

Following a visit to meet Anfield residents to explain the changes, Cllr Anderson said: “This is good news tempered by the fact we wanted to do so much more.

“In the 20 months since I’ve been leader we’ve saved more homes rather than demolish them.

“Residents have been rightly concerned and frustrated, but we’re delighted to be working with the government, Arena Housing and others to take some action.”

If the Reds do move to Stanley Park, the vacated land which is owned by the club could be used for retail, apartments, or other commercial developments to further boost Anfield.

Cllr Anderson added: “We are in discussions with both clubs about how to develop the area they are in. Nothing will happen without it coming through cabinet.

“Our relationship with Liverpool is fine and we have regular dialogue as the stadium issue is one we are involved in.”

The council has earmarked August for a start date on the work.

Read More http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2012/03/21/around-500-homes-near-liverpool-football-club-to-be-saved-from-demolition-under-anfield-village-plans-100252-30587791/2/#ixzz1plGWbRko

Some interesting snippets there.

Good to see some more housing being saved. Anything is better than leaving the buildings to rot as they are. I hope we really do see an August start date for these. Just in time to impress visitors for next season.

The stadium news bit is also interesting, but I doubt they know anything concrete and are probably speculating.

The stadium news bit is also interesting, but I doubt they know anything concrete and are probably speculating.

You never know,they were spot on with the 1000 jobs being created by Jaguar.

Terribly vague description. Back Rockfield Road, Walton Breck Road, Sleepers Hill and Saker Street form three sides of a rough rectangle. Are we to assume the ground forms the final side? Looking on Streetview most of the streets enclosed by this shape aren't actually derilict, only (the odd house here and there aside) those few streets very close to LFC.

And this also leaves derelict Rockfield Road out.

I was in Breckfield today [which is part of Anfield imo] and it looks great compared to 10 years ago, all new houses, the academy, new health centres and new shops.

With the V streets set for demolition I would not at all be surprised to see LFC buy that patch of land, it's behind the Kop and extend onto that, maybe even going over Walton Breck Road.

The streets directly behind the Kop are Hartnup and Towson St (as well as Venmore). Also it is already in excess of 70 rows deep so probably a non-starter.

An idea similar to yours at the Anfield Road end would make much more sense. I suspect it could be built on the vacant land over Anfield Road and married up over the close season which would hopefully have minimal impact on capacity in the same way Wolves have done.

I was in Breckfield today [which is part of Anfield imo] and it looks great compared to 10 years ago, all new houses, the academy, new health centres and new shops.

Its a massive improvement and good to see the regeneration in the area.

City's asset vehicle gathers speed

23 Mar 2012, 10:08

Regeneration Liverpool, a joint venture between Liverpool City Council and asset-backed vehicle specialist Sigma Inpartnership, has announced plans to develop five sites across the city.

The five areas are:

Stonebridge Cross development
Gateacre former comprehensive school site
Lime Street, Renshaw Street, Knowledge Quarter in city centre
Edge Hill district centre
Lodge Lane baths site

The partnership will work with house builder Countryside Properties, Neptune Developments, Plus Dane and other local housing associations to deliver the projects.

The first priorities will be Stonebridge Cross and Gateacre with a view to starting in 2012/13. Stonebridge Cross comprises 60 acres and will provide a new secondary school, health centre, 600 homes and retail with a major food store.

The former comprehensive school site in Gateacre will be developed to accommodate around 200 new family homes. Regeneration Liverpool will recycle the value from these homes back into the provision of new educational facilities in the city as well as looking at other city council priorities.

Regeneration Liverpool will prepare feasibility studies for Lime Street, Renshaw Street, Knowledge Quarter, Edge Hill District Centre and Lodge Lane bath site, to include a variety of uses including commercial and residential development as well as educational, community and health facilities.

The joint venture is already delivering a £100m housing scheme of 115 units on the Boot Estate in Norris Green.

Duncan Sutherland, chairman of Sigma Inpartnership, said: "The widening of the partnership provides a real delivery vehicle for the city council in terms of regeneration, jobs and investment. The partners are already working with local communities to deliver projects and the council's objectives in Norris Green, Stonebridge Cross and other areas of the city."

Cllr Joe Anderson, leader of Liverpool City Council, said: "We're absolutely determined to continue driving forward regeneration in Liverpool. But in such difficult economic times, we have to find imaginative ways of working with partners. Regeneration Liverpool is a really effective way of doing this, bringing together the best of the public and private sector and creating really exciting opportunities for our city.

"The development of these five key sites is fantastic news for Liverpool, and proof that by strengthening this innovative partnership, we are leaving ourselves better equipped to deliver vital regeneration schemes, attract investment and create thousands of jobs."

Regeneration Liverpool, registered as Liverpool Partnership LLP, was formed in March 2007 as a 15-year joint venture between Liverpool City Council and Manchester-based regeneration specialist Sigma Inpartnership. The council will put land and potentially occupiers such as schools into the partnership and Sigma will raise finance to develop the new buildings. Regeneration Liverpool is managed by a board consisting of two Liverpool City Council representatives and two Inpartnership representatives.

Sigma Inpartnership has other similar asset-backed partnerships with Salford City Council and Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council.

Lime Street? YES!

Sounds promising. If only thery were doing Lime St first though.

Hugh Baird HE centre to open in 2013

26 Mar 2012

Building consultancy Turner & Townsend has been appointed to provide project and cost management to assist Hugh Baird College on its proposed new higher education centre opposite the existing campus on Balliol Road, Bootle.

The new £5m complex will cover 30,000 sq ft and contain teaching space as well as community facilities. The appointed architects are Taylor Young. Pending planning approval, the project is scheduled to be completed by September 2013 ready for the start of the new school year.

Pat Farrell, executive director of estates and resources at Hugh Baird, said: "This is an ambitious project but one which shows the college's long-term commitment to providing high quality education in a modern teaching environment."

Turner & Townsend is also providing cost management services at Lancaster & Morecambe College, Cheadle & Marple Sixth Form College, Wirral Metropolitan College and Hopwood Hall College in Rochdale.

Martin Perryman, director in Turner & Townsend's Manchester office, said: "After the recent turbulent times with funding in the further education sector we are delighted that we are able draw upon our extensive knowledge of the sector to help colleges realise their plans and assist them to develop robust property strategies and secure much needed funding."

http://www.placenorthwest.co.uk/news/archive/11322-hugh-baird-he-centre-to-open-in-2013.html

Hugh Baird HE centre to open in 2013

26 Mar 2012

Building consultancy Turner & Townsend has been appointed to provide project and cost management to assist Hugh Baird College on its proposed new higher education centre opposite the existing campus on Balliol Road, Bootle.

The new £5m complex will cover 30,000 sq ft and contain teaching space as well as community facilities. The appointed architects are Taylor Young. Pending planning approval, the project is scheduled to be completed by September 2013 ready for the start of the new school year.

Pat Farrell, executive director of estates and resources at Hugh Baird, said: "This is an ambitious project but one which shows the college's long-term commitment to providing high quality education in a modern teaching environment."

Turner & Townsend is also providing cost management services at Lancaster & Morecambe College, Cheadle & Marple Sixth Form College, Wirral Metropolitan College and Hopwood Hall College in Rochdale.

Martin Perryman, director in Turner & Townsend's Manchester office, said: "After the recent turbulent times with funding in the further education sector we are delighted that we are able draw upon our extensive knowledge of the sector to help colleges realise their plans and assist them to develop robust property strategies and secure much needed funding."

http://www.placenorthwest.co.uk/news/archive/11322-hugh-baird-he-centre-to-open-in-2013.html

Fantastic news this,thanks for the post Paul! Any chance you can re post it on the bootle project thread? - it could do with a bit of good news!

Wavertree pub to become solicitors office

26 Mar 2012

BMD:Law have acquired a former pub in the Liverpool suburb of Wavertree for its new office.

The growing legal practice is moving from Picton Road, Wavertree to the Lamb on High Street after acquiring the Grade 2-listed building from Punch Taverns for an undisclosed sum.

Bernadette McDonald, founder and principal solicitor of BMD:Law, established the firm four years ago. She said: "I'm overjoyed to be moving the firm into the building which is not only historically important and impressive in its own right but also has strong emotional ties for me because my parents, grandparents and great grandparents all lived within sight of the Lamb and it was a long-running family joke that we would never move far away.

"We look forward to restoring the building to its former glory and ensuring that its 200-year heritage continues far into the future. I'm honoured to be part of a building that has an illustrious history and magnificent architecture and features inside and out."

http://www.placenorthwest.co.uk/news/archive/11327-wavertree-pub-to-become-solicitors-office.html

Anfield Village regeneration set to get green light.

Liverpool City Council is set to approve proposals for a major regeneration project in Anfield.

Plans to refurbish properties off Walton Breck Road, close to Liverpool FC's stadium, are to be put to a cabinet meeting later.

The area, which contains more than 600 properties, will be renamed Anfield Village.

Councillor Ann O'Byrne said the refurbishment of the area was "long overdue".

Most of the properties in the area, which lies between Back Rockfield Road, Walton Breck Road, Sleepers Hill and Saker Street, are small terraced houses in poor condition with high vacancy rates.

Options being explored include creating larger homes by knocking two properties into one and creating space for gardens in the remaining properties.

Ms O'Byrne said the aim was "to accelerate the regeneration of the area, providing modern, affordable homes which people want to live in".

"Working together with residents, we can deliver long overdue housing improvements for Anfield and start building a brighter future for the area," she said.

If the plans do get the go ahead, work is scheduled to begin in the summer.

Already approved. Big Joe is getting quite natty at the old Twitter.

Godo to hear work is scheduled to go ahead so quickly. Presumably there will need to be planning applications in, unless some have already been approved.

This is excellent news and there could be no conceivable reason that there should not be unanimity in agreeing this.

However, this should not be seen in isolation as a panacea for the area's ills. Rockfield Road must be at the heart of the regeneration of this part of Anfield and regeneration experts must be innovative and think outside the box as to how this is achieved.

Thats good news,another big step in improving the area.

£18.6m Thornton to Switch Island link road scheme to be given green light

THE green light is set to be given for the £18.6m Thornton to Switch Island link road scheme.

Sefton Council’s Labour leader Cllr Peter Dowd said the final legal hurdles are currently being negotiated for the construction of the long-awaited bypass.

It will reduce congestion at traffic blackspot Green Lane.

The development will include the bypass, highways connecting the road to existing roads, new bridleways and off-site planting areas.

Cllr Dowd said: “There are some very technical legal details left for Sefton Council to negotiate in relation to building on the land which is owned by the Crown, but we should hopefully see all of that resolved in the next couple of months.

“Once we manage to negotiate these final hurdles, we should be able to see work start as per the schedule early next year.

“I know that any delay causes concerns, but I know that Sefton’s legal team is working on resolving the final details and we should finally see work begin on this much needed relief road.”

The news comes after a 30-year fight for a relief road to be built to reduce traffic on the busy A565.

In February last year, the Department for Transport announced that it would fund £14.5m towards the scheme. Sefton is funding the remaining cash.

The single carriageway route will connect the Switch Island M57 and M58 interchange with the A565 to Crosby, relieving Green Lane and Lydiate Lane of thousands of vehicles each day and cutting travel times for motorists.

Cllr Dowd said: “It has been a long and winding road to get to this stage, but we are getting to the stage where the green light will be given for construction.

“This is good news for people in Thornton who have had to contend with congested roads for many years.

“But it’s also good news for the whole of Sefton as it is vital investment in our infrastructure which in turn will create jobs and put some much needed money into the local economy, while also improving our roads infrastructure which is a boost to local businesses.”

Read More http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-news/regional-news/2012/04/03/18-6m-thornton-to-switch-island-link-road-scheme-to-be-given-green-light-99623-30681920/#sitelife-commentsWidget-bottom#ixzz1qzPwg6pH

^^

Finally! The traffic on Dunningsbridge Road that builds up between the Copy Lane junction and Switch Island is ridiculous. And the attempts of slowing down the Southport-bound traffic which passes through Maghull/Lydiate from the M57, via the A59, seems a bit pointless. I mean I can't see what signs warning people of speed cameras is really going to do when the vast majority of people who pass through the town already know where the speed cameras are.

It's excellent news, but it's still another compromised bodge job at Switch Island. This should be a dual carriageway at least, and in an ideal world, there'd be a flyover as well to take traffic onto the M57 or M58. But Switch Island basically needs bombing and starting all over again.

£15m rebirth of Everton Valley school Notre Dame at heart of Project Jennifer

EXCLUSIVE by Ben Turner, Liverpool EchoApr 5 2012Add a commentRecommend inShare.0 1
An artist impression of the view from Everton Park leisure centre of the new Notre Dame secondary in Everton Valley THIS is how a new £15m school will look when it opens at the heart of Liverpool’s Project Jennifer scheme.

The ECHO’s exclusive images reveal the stunning interior and exterior of Notre Dame Catholic college, in Everton Valley.

Its rebirth is part of a Liverpool council-led revamp of the city’s ageing secondary and special schools.

It will move from its Victorian home to a new site next to Everton Park sports centre, in Great Homer Street, the focus of the £150m Project Jennifer regeneration scheme.

The school will be completely rebuilt using a structure similar to a modern airport terminal building called EdVenture, which is far cheaper than traditional building methods and offers more flexibility because the internal layout and even the entire use of the site can change in the future. Due to open in September next year, the school will be based at the heart of Project Jennifer, which should transform a 45-acre site.

Officials confirmed the design boasts a ceiling height of up to 17m and will house high-quality performance and arts facilities.

The school hopes that will secure it as the “satellite hub for the arts in north Liverpool”.

Constructors have said it will have a large number of plants to create an “indoor/outdoor feel” and to help ensure there is “a seamless flow” between the secondary, Everton Park and wider Project Jennifer facilities.

Completion of the school building will be followed by the shopping phase of the project, which will include a new Sainsbury’s store, 80,000 sq ft of shops, improved public spaces and a new home for Great Homer Street’s outdoor market.

The new school will also provide a home for a pharmacy, health and wellbeing centre and a base for indoor market traders.

Frances Harrison, headteacher at Notre Dame Catholic college, said: “The redevelopment is an opportunity for the school to play a huge role at the very heart of the community, contributing a space which can grow and prosper along with the area.”

Michelle Taylor, regional director at Project Jennifer developer St Modwen, said: “Notre Dame will play an important role in a sustainable community which will benefit from more than 1,000 new jobs, new homes and vastly improved facilities.”

Liverpool council has said it hoped as many city firms as possible will be involved in the supply chain and building of the new school.

Council leader Joe Anderson said: “Project Jennifer will serve as a catalyst for further regeneration, investment and opportunities throughout north Liverpool.

“The relocation of Notre Dame Catholic college, and our proposals to transform Everton Park into a first-class community and visitor destination, are a great example of this already starting to happen, and marks the dawn of a new era for the area.”


Read More http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2012/04/05/15m-rebirth-of-everton-valley-school-notre-dame-at-heart-of-project-jennifer-100252-30696824/#sitelife-commentsWidget-bottom#ixzz1rAGHwuNV

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj32/buggedboy/school.jpg
http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj32/buggedboy/school2.jpg

I have to say I like that, despite myself. It reminds my of the converted hangars in Speke. Good, hefty size too. In terms of cost effectiveness, I'm so shocked that nobody thought of this idea before. Basically, build a shell and then build your school inside it. If you want to change the layout, or even change it to a hotel or whatever, go ahead. No planning permission needed. Just get on with it.

It's excellent news, but it's still another compromised bodge job at Switch Island. This should be a dual carriageway at least, and in an ideal world, there'd be a flyover as well to take traffic onto the M57 or M58. But Switch Island basically needs bombing and starting all over again.

This.

It should be a flyover from the end of the M57 (and M58) which links onto the new (dual carriageway!) link road.

Completion of the school building will be followed by the shopping phase of the project, which will include a new Sainsbury’s store, 80,000 sq ft of shops, improved public spaces and a new home for Great Homer Street’s outdoor market.

Great news.

I don't like it, it is one of the worst buildings I have seen, and lets face it north Liverpool has plenty of them. I love modernist architecture when done well, but many of our local buildings are terrible these days, the generic health centre, the generic box gym, the generic school or library, they're shit, and look tacky and dated very quickly. Look at the quality of the current Notre Dame school in Everton Valley and please tell me how this new development is in any way superior? It simply isn't up to the same standard, and rehousing them on the cheap will in the long term be more expensive as the new school will need replacing far sooner than the current one.
I actually do believe that the only reason a replacement school is being sought is down to the current vogue that dictates old buildings simply aren't practical anymore, rather than any real need for new accommodation. This is the fashion in other things like business, how long is it before Liverpool Council decides that Municipal Buildings isn't fit for purpose and moves into a vapid customer friendly shell? When Barclays moved from Martins Bank Building to Lord Street I couldn't believe it.
Does anyone know what will become of the disused Notre Dame school? Presumably it will be left to rot or torn down and replaced with bungalows, north Liverpool is blighted by decades of extremely poor urban planning with no consistency and little thought, this development is another chapter of it.

Unfortunately, get ready for some pain then, because all 12 new schools are going to look precisely like this, but with different logos on the front.

The current Notre Dame site is one of the few remaining sites in Liverpool that give us an insight into the previous massing of our city. It certainly is an imposing building when viewed from Everton Valley. I really hope that the main building can be retained for other uses - perhaps as a hotel development within (or without) the ´Football Quarter´ proposal?

People ought not to be brainwashed by the boasts about the new building´s specifications. Parklands High in Speke was lauded as an architectural triumph thanks to the open corridors and light, but it did zilch to improve the education of the students there.

The original school building should definitely be retained & refurbished, maybe as flats or a hotel for match crowds.

Seems sadly inevitable that it will be torn down instead. I assume its not listed?

Wow, North Liverpool Academy get an airplane design...Notre Dame get an airplane hangar. I agree with Medi, I think these designs are made thinking from the inside out, but with no means on integrating the design so it is in keeping with the surrounding areas. If this is what Project Jennifer will provide, whilst it may provide jobs, it will still be a pretty much no go area after dark with no signs of life.

I was involved as a stakeholder in the 'building schools for the future' programme in knowsley where all of the high schools were replaced with new 'learning centres'. Whilst the buildings a pretty good from the inside (although not as effective in changing learning styles for the better as once hoped), they went on about they would be central hubs of the community and open til 10pm weekdays for community groups and open weekends. Now they look like square warehouses and after 5-6pm the gates are locked.

I presume there will be a nice wedge heading over to LDL to pay for 'ICT costs'.

A possible future use for Notre Dame could be for the Studio games college that is being planned and temporarily hosted at NLA. Or something similar to Anfield Business Centre, which finally seems to be succeeding.

£15m rebirth of Everton Valley school Notre Dame at heart of Project Jennifer

EXCLUSIVE by Ben Turner, Liverpool EchoApr 5 2012Add a commentRecommend inShare.0 1
An artist impression of the view from Everton Park leisure centre of the new Notre Dame secondary in Everton Valley THIS is how a new £15m school will look when it opens at the heart of Liverpool’s Project Jennifer scheme.

The ECHO’s exclusive images reveal the stunning interior and exterior of Notre Dame Catholic college, in Everton Valley.

Its rebirth is part of a Liverpool council-led revamp of the city’s ageing secondary and special schools.

It will move from its Victorian home to a new site next to Everton Park sports centre, in Great Homer Street, the focus of the £150m Project Jennifer regeneration scheme.

The school will be completely rebuilt using a structure similar to a modern airport terminal building called EdVenture, which is far cheaper than traditional building methods and offers more flexibility because the internal layout and even the entire use of the site can change in the future. Due to open in September next year, the school will be based at the heart of Project Jennifer, which should transform a 45-acre site.

Officials confirmed the design boasts a ceiling height of up to 17m and will house high-quality performance and arts facilities.

The school hopes that will secure it as the “satellite hub for the arts in north Liverpool”.

Constructors have said it will have a large number of plants to create an “indoor/outdoor feel” and to help ensure there is “a seamless flow” between the secondary, Everton Park and wider Project Jennifer facilities.

Completion of the school building will be followed by the shopping phase of the project, which will include a new Sainsbury’s store, 80,000 sq ft of shops, improved public spaces and a new home for Great Homer Street’s outdoor market.

The new school will also provide a home for a pharmacy, health and wellbeing centre and a base for indoor market traders.

Frances Harrison, headteacher at Notre Dame Catholic college, said: “The redevelopment is an opportunity for the school to play a huge role at the very heart of the community, contributing a space which can grow and prosper along with the area.”

Michelle Taylor, regional director at Project Jennifer developer St Modwen, said: “Notre Dame will play an important role in a sustainable community which will benefit from more than 1,000 new jobs, new homes and vastly improved facilities.”

Liverpool council has said it hoped as many city firms as possible will be involved in the supply chain and building of the new school.

Council leader Joe Anderson said: “Project Jennifer will serve as a catalyst for further regeneration, investment and opportunities throughout north Liverpool.

“The relocation of Notre Dame Catholic college, and our proposals to transform Everton Park into a first-class community and visitor destination, are a great example of this already starting to happen, and marks the dawn of a new era for the area.”


Read More http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2012/04/05/15m-rebirth-of-everton-valley-school-notre-dame-at-heart-of-project-jennifer-100252-30696824/#sitelife-commentsWidget-bottom#ixzz1rAGHwuNV

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj32/buggedboy/school.jpg
http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj32/buggedboy/school2.jpg

I have to say I like that, despite myself. It reminds my of the converted hangars in Speke. Good, hefty size too. In terms of cost effectiveness, I'm so shocked that nobody thought of this idea before. Basically, build a shell and then build your school inside it. If you want to change the layout, or even change it to a hotel or whatever, go ahead. No planning permission needed. Just get on with it.

That design is probably the worst school design i've seen! well at least we know where the old Central Station platform wall cladding is going......

It's the Stanley Dock Education Warehouse

Some pics I took of the Florrie earlier.

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj32/buggedboy/IMAG0037.jpg

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj32/buggedboy/IMAG0038.jpg

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj32/buggedboy/IMAG0040.jpg

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj32/buggedboy/IMAG0048.jpg

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj32/buggedboy/IMAG0054.jpg

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj32/buggedboy/IMAG0053.jpg

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj32/buggedboy/IMAG0052.jpg

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj32/buggedboy/IMAG0044.jpg

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj32/buggedboy/IMAG0046.jpg

It looks amazing inside and will only improve as more of it gets finished. There's lots of activities booked too. Over 40 events have already been booked for the main hall alone, whilst they only have one office left to rent out to local groups/businesses. They have plans for farmers markets etc for the outdoor space, when that is complete.

^^ great pics

£100,000 Market Square regeneration plan for Toxteth Lodge Lane

A MARKET square could revive the fortunes of Toxteth’s Lodge Lane district.

The Tiber Enterprise hub and Liverpool council have submitted a bid for £100,000 to the government’s Mary Portas High Street Innovation Fund.

The £1m fund is designed to breathe new life into town centres.

If successful the money would be used to create a market square – aimed at encouraging fledgling local small businesses – on the site of the former Tiber primary school, which was demolished in the 1990s.

It would also create an attractive new centre in Lodge Lane and help promote the area.

Local leaders hope that it could lead to a complete revamp for the five-acre former school site, part of which is used as a playing field.

A rebuild of the changing facilities and improvements to bring the pitch up to FA regulation standard could follow.

The Tiber Enterprise Hub, which opened in September offering small business units, is already full.

Billy Maxwell, the council local area manager, said: “The Tiber has shown there is appetite for small business space. A new market square would help expand the entrepreneurial zeal that there is already in the area.”

He said the market would emphasise the unique multicultural identity of Lodge Lane, bring a wider retail mix to the district and create business opportunities, and improve the public space.

The bid has involved youngsters creating a video on YouTube saying why the area should be awarded the cash.

A decision is expected next month.

Regenerating Lodge Lane is high on the political agenda in the city.

The Labour-run council has already launched the Loving Lodge Lane campaign with clean-ups of the area, community projects and food festivals.

Liberal Democrat mayoral candidate Richard Kemp has pledged in his manifesto to create a Curry Mile along the road if he is elected next month.

Cllr Nick Small, cabinet member for business, said: “Lodge Lane is a really vibrant and exciting part of the city and the food hub will help lift the whole area as well as creating new jobs. Lodge Lane has got a big future ahead of it. The city council is committed to developing an ethnic food hub and attracting more business investment and jobs.”

Read More http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2012/04/10/100-000-market-square-regeneration-plan-for-toxteth-lodge-lane-100252-30726478/2/#ixzz1rdACJPjn

I don't know whether this has been posted yet.

Special business zone status considered for Liverpool FC and Everton FC Football Quarter proposals
Apr 5 2012

http://images.icnetwork.co.uk/upl/ldp2/dec2011/2/6/stanley-park-sitting-between-anfield-and-goodison-620-622749798.jpg
Stanley Park, sitting amid Anfield and Goodison

A FOOTBALL Quarter to harness the worldwide appeal of Liverpool FC and Everton FC could win special city status.

Council bosses have discussed the feasibility of unveiling a designated Business Improvement District for the proposed 40-acre zone in Stanley Park between the two stadiums.

Everton fans group Keep Everton In Our City (KEIOC) and LFC group Spirit of Shankly (SOS) have recently met with officials from Liverpool council, Liverpool Vision and The Mersey Partnership about the project.

While talks are currently in the “ideas” stage, indications are that town hall chiefs believe an approved business district award could help the initiative’s cause.

Under the scheme, clustered firms pay up to 2% of their rates to a specially-created group that spends the cash on improvement projects in their areas that can include safety, events, marketing or green issues.

Also suggested was the possibility of a Football Quarter becoming part of a Mayoral Development Zone after the May election.

Council leader Joe Anderson – the favourite for Mayor – has backed the scheme, which includes a “fanzone” venue, football museum, hotels, bars, restaurants, and pedestrian links between Anfield and Goodison Park.

Read More (http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-news/regional-news/2012/04/05/special-business-zone-status-considered-for-liverpool-fc-and-everton-fc-football-quarter-proposals-99623-30695083/#ixzz1rkFeHoTw)

Met Joe Anderson today and he said that the 5,000 homes he is to build will include Edge Lane West and the houses at the top of Smithdown Rd. Some other housing announcements are due soon, along similar lines to the Anfield Village plans. He also said that some additional funding had been secured for the school rebuild, including sponsorship for a creative industries academy.

Great news BB.:)

Met Joe Anderson today and he said that the 5,000 homes he is to build will include Edge Lane West and the houses at the top of Smithdown Rd. Some other housing announcements are due soon, along similar lines to the Anfield Village plans. He also said that some additional funding had been secured for the school rebuild, including sponsorship for a creative industries academy.

Do you know if these are going to be the houses / road changes that were originally submitted, prior to funding being withdrawn?

Do you know if these are going to be the houses / road changes that were originally submitted, prior to funding being withdrawn?

That's what he implied. It isn't like there are any buildings there to refurb either, so the only way forwards would be a new build. It would be daft if they resubmitted new plans, with all the associated design costs. LCC are being very proactive in working with the housebuilders and RSLs to see what packages can be developed first.

No doubt this will be discussed during upcoming racqueteering.

That sounds good (I quite liked the plans).

Would be another PR coup as well I imagine if Joe can re-ignite projects like this

Can't announce anything at the mo though, due to purdah. Plans will come out soon enough. Most likely by late summer.

Great pics of the Florrie buggedboy.

Reserved matters application now in for the Notre Dame school adjacent to Project Jennifer. Be good to see more documents on this one.

Sigma rolls on at Boot Estate
18 Apr 2012, 16:50


Regeneration Liverpool, the asset-backed vehicle between Liverpool City Council and Sigma Inpartnership, has submitted a planning application for the third phase of the £100m housing scheme in Norris Green.

The plans are for 63 homes to be built by off Heathwaite Crescent by Countryside, one of the preferred developers of Regeneration Liverpool, as a part of the ongoing redevelopment of the estate. So far 115 new homes have already been completed on site and construction of this latest phase should commence in the summer, subject to planning approval.

Of the 63 units, there will be 20 affordable homes and 43 sold to private occupiers. All of the properties will be built over two stories and a number of the three and four bedroom homes will have garages.

Graeme Hogg, director of Sigma Inpartnership, said: "This is another exciting step in the transformation of the estate, with the emphasis on quality homes and environment being maintained. We are delighted that despite the extremely difficult commercial environment, we are managing to push ahead with mixed tenure product, due to the strength of interest being shown in the scheme."

Ian Simpson, land director at Countryside, said: ""Countryside Properties is excited to be involved with the future phases of Norris Green Village on what is proving to be a popular development and one that gives the local home buyers a great opportunity for affordable home ownership."

This news follows the recent announcement that Regeneration Liverpool will be regenerating five more sites across the city in Stonebridge Cross, the Gateacre former comprehensive school site, Lime Street/Renshaw Street/Knowledge Quarter, Edge Hill District Centre and Lodge Lane baths site.


http://www.placenorthwest.co.uk/news/archive/11469-sigma-rolls-on-at-boot-estate.html

As of March 29th, the Eldonian Group received £3.9m ERDF towards an enterprise hub, providing 4,000m2 floorspace.

Sounds like things are moving ahead over there. Good to hear.

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj32/buggedboy/IMAG0082.jpg
Firefit, Toxteth.

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj32/buggedboy/IMAG0087.jpg
http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj32/buggedboy/IMAG0088-1.jpg
http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj32/buggedboy/IMAG0089-1.jpg
http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj32/buggedboy/IMAG0086.jpg
Cawdor Park, Granby St.

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj32/buggedboy/IMAG0085-1.jpg
http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj32/buggedboy/IMAG0084-1.jpg
Another devpt opposite

There's loads of steelwork up too isn't there? Or maybe I saw a different thing.

Firefit, Toxteth.

Cawdor Park, Granby St.

Another devpt opposite

It's good that new houses are finally going up, but they look utter shit and lack any style or character like the area used to have. People with the money to choose wont want to live there and intern not help lift the area up.

It's good that new houses are finally going up, but they look utter shit and lack any style or character like the area used to have. People with the money to choose wont want to live there and intern not help lift the area up.

No really assure I agree. There really isn't anything particularly unique or characterful about a Victorian terrace. They are pretty much factory made identikit houses themselves. These houses are actually very solid and have some good features about them.

Those houses do look like shit. We can fill the inner city with as many ugly suburban rabbit hutches as we want... but the areas will always remain poverty ghettos and crime hotspots unless they can attract decent families (particularly "middle class" (although I hate the term 'class') families who'll inject some cash) and young professionals. These ugly boxes will not attract these sorts of people.
A better solution would be to build a mixture of spacious apartments and spacious family townhouses. But it's not just about the buildings, there needs to be a community too - shops, parks, good schools, etc.


Seeing this has given me the fantasy town planning bug again! So prepare for a resurrection of the fantasy developments thread! :lol:

Those houses do look like shit. We can fill the inner city with as many ugly suburban rabbit hutches as we want... but the areas will always remain poverty ghettos and crime hotspots unless they can attract decent families (particularly "middle class" (although I hate the term 'class') families who'll inject some cash) and young professionals. These ugly boxes will not attract these sorts of people.
A better solution would be to build a mixture of spacious apartments and spacious family townhouses. But it's not just about the buildings, there needs to be a community too - shops, parks, good schools, etc.


Seeing this has given me the fantasy town planning bug again! So prepare for a resurrection of the fantasy developments thread! :lol:

Agreed, chronically crap cheap design... :(

I have to agree with the sentiments above, not far removed from the much-loathed bungalows that lot. Even Tony Mulhearn might think twice about being photographed in front of these.

Agreed, chronically crap cheap design... :(

I'm not quite share what you think your supposed to get in a house sometimes! Those are on sale for more than my gaff and I live in a much more desirable area. Put those houses in Allerton and they'd cost upwards of 190k. They are certainly better houses than, say, Penny Lane.

I agree with bb. Those houses are ok. I'm currently in the market for a house and would gladly consider one of them new builds in L8 if it wasn't for the fact my girlfriend wants to live in an old one in L17. I suppose I'll just have to pay loads more and be freezing cold every winter. I know a boffin from from the university (works there not a student) he's from newcastle and just bought a new build off tunnel road. He loves it.

I actually quite like them.

There needs to be more well paid jobs and more skilled people - that will help the inner city areas. That said, I do think it would be an interesting pilot to build or refurbish some larger and higher quality / more expensive houses in the inner city and to see how the market reacts. The difficulty is getting the developers to take the risk and I'm not sure that the planning policy would be supportive but I may be wrong.

I'm not quite share what you think your supposed to get in a house sometimes! Those are on sale for more than my gaff and I live in a much more desirable area. Put those houses in Allerton and they'd cost upwards of 190k. They are certainly better houses than, say, Penny Lane.

But that's exactly my point! They're suburban houses - they belong in places likes Allerton! Not just outside the city centre!


Ignoring the fact that I despise most new builds (there's a few going up in West Didsbury here in Manc that are pretty nice though), I would rather pay more to live in Allerton than Granby. Nothing to do with crime or anything because I'm sure Granby is actually perfectly safe - but there's nothing to do in Granby, no proper shops, pubs, cafes etc. And despite being close to town, it's just too far to be really useful. I'd pay more just to be close to Allerton Road.

I currently live in Old Trafford in Manc (roughly the same distance from town as Granby) and I hate it. The area isn't dangerous, it's just shite - the only shops are Iceland and Aldi (and countless greasy takeaways and Asian fruit and veg shops), there's no bars, pubs, cafes, no little interesting places to visit... according to Google Maps there's a little park behind the council estate opposite my flat but it doesn't seem like I'd want to be walking around there.

It just seems to be that 'regeneration' in British inner cities means 'build some suburban houses and a few blocks of plastic flats and everything will be grand'. It doesn't work. It doesn't solve the area's real problems, it just papers over the cracks. The condition of the houses being replaced isn't the cause of the area's problems, it's a symptom. Give it a little time and the disease of the inner-city will mean these new houses are falling to pieces because no one decent wants to live in them.

Appalling snobbery Pablo Diablo. I bet you feel right at homw with all those mean spirited mancs. Old Trafford is much further from town than Granby anyway.

It's snobbery to want to live in an area that actually has local amenities, rather than a pokey plastic flat or a suburban rabbit hutch dumped in a failed council estate?

It's snobbery to want to live in an area that actually has local amenities, rather than a pokey plastic flat or a suburban rabbit hutch dumped in a failed council estate?

I do think you're overegging it slightly but I'll bet you a pound to a pinch of shite that DatW doesn't accuse his missus of "appalling snobbery". :)

She doesn't say stuff like that. We live in L8 at the moment.

Stuff like what? What have I said that's snobbish? All I want is a nice apartment/house in a nice area that is walking distance from some nice shops/things to do.

I used to live in West Bridgford (inner city Nottingham), now that is what an inner city neighbourhood should be!

The bit that struck me as particularly snobbish was when you said that "no one decent wants to live in them". Why are these people not decent? Are they scum?

There is a danger that some of these comments come across as being snobbish but I think most people would agree that the inner city areas need a greater mix of home owners, people with skilled jobs and more disposable income if they are to become sustainable again. For me that means attractive neighbourhoods with good schools, services, quality housing and interesting high streets. Maybe to kick things off there would need to be a financial incentive for people to invest in these areas?

The bit that struck me as particularly snobbish was when you said that "no one decent wants to live in them". Why are these people not decent? Are they scum?

Ok, terrible choice of words on my part. For that I apologise.

What I was trying to say is the danger is due to the lack of amenities/community causing people to live there who don't particular want to be there. In other words, people who live there because it's cheap and they can drive to anywhere they want to go - or people who are placed there by the council/housing associations. You can't build a community if the residents aren't interested in their area.


I agree 100% with Gutterfighter.

That's much more sensible. I also liked the idea you had on your fantasy wank thread about putting in bars and clubs under the railway arches near Stanley dock. It would be a great way to expand the city. Apologies if that wasn't you.

Yeah the railway arches idea was me.

I've resurrected my fantasy thread and posted an idea for Granby > http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=1473934&page=2#post90669483

Councillors set to approve plans for new housing in north Liverpool

PLANS to allow developers to build more than 200 homes in north Liverpool could be approved.

City councillors will be asked to back proposals to use the council-owned site of the former Granton Road primary, in Anfield, for housing,

The council could also give the go-ahead to developer Keepmoat to start building homes on land bounded by Adam Street, Herschell Street, Adkins Street, Hartnup Street, St Glashier Street and St Domingo Vale, in Anfield.

All 320 properties on that site will be demolished by July and Keepmoat wants to begin work this summer on 167 new two, three and four bedroom homes.

The cabinet will also be asked to approve plans to sell land at Vauxhall Road and Burlington Street, Vauxhall, to a developer.

Read More http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2012/04/27/councillors-set-to-approve-plans-for-new-housing-in-north-liverpool-100252-30850061/#ixzz1tFia49AG

Nothing especially new in here but it at least it sets out a plan and gives a framework for sefton and the city council to work together.

http://www.liverpoolvision.co.uk/Docs/DownloadDocs/226NL%20SRF.pdf

From the Planning Explorer -

Application Number - 12F/1216
Site Address - The Rocket Trade Centre Site Bowring Park Road/ Jubilee Drive Liverpool L14 3NA
Proposal - To redevelop rocket trade centre site, demolish of all existing buildings and erection of 85 dwellings with associated parking and landscaping
Applicant - Bellway Homes (north west) Ltd

From here - http://northgate.liverpool.gov.uk/PlanningExplorer17/Generic/StdDetails.aspx?PT=Planning%20Applications%20On-Line&TYPE=PL/PlanningPK.xml&PARAM0=820733&XSLT=/PlanningExplorer17/SiteFiles/Skins/Liverpool_WIP/xslt/PL/PLDetails.xslt&FT=Planning%20Application%20Details&PUBLIC=Y&XMLSIDE=&DAURI=PLANNING

Anyone know where Parcel Force are moving their depot to?

There is a danger that some of these comments come across as being snobbish but I think most people would agree that the inner city areas need a greater mix of home owners, people with skilled jobs and more disposable income if they are to become sustainable again. For me that means attractive neighbourhoods with good schools, services, quality housing and interesting high streets. Maybe to kick things off there would need to be a financial incentive for people to invest in these areas?

Totally agree, these should of been three storey spacious houses with garages on the ground floor and a nice rear garden. Those houses look like council houses and will deter alot of people who can choose. This is another example of the council failing to ensure these developments provide decent high quality desirable homes.

Old Swan road works get underway

WORK was due to begin today on a £450,000 revamp of roads in the Old Swan area of the city.

The junction of Green Lane and Prescot Road will see traffic lights and street lamps upgraded, new pedestrian crossings installed and improvements to roads and pavements.

The work is expected to last up to six weeks – but city council bosses said they hoped the disruption would be “minimal”.

Read More http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2012/05/21/old-swan-road-works-get-underway-100252-31010369/#ixzz1vURqFjzs

HCA awards £36m to tackle empty homes
30 May 2012, 09:50


More than 2,000 empty homes in the region will be brought back into use by local authorities using funding from the Homes & Communities Agency.

The Clusters of Empty Homes fund was open to Local Authorities and HCA approved organisations which could bring a minimum of 100 homes back into use in wards where more than 10% of homes are empty, each cluster representing more than 25 empty homes.

In addition, bidders had to demonstrate a commitment to providing 100% match funding to the HCA grants.

Bids closed in March and a shortlist of successful bidders were invited to submit more detailed bids.

The successful bidders were named on Tuesday and are as follows:

■Allerdale Council awarded £580,296, for 125 homes
■Barrow-in-Furness Council, £3.4m for 229 homes
■Blackburn with Darwen Council, £9.5m, for 457 homes
■Blackpool Council, £1.6m, for 100 homes
■Greater Manchester Combined Authority, £3.7m, for 356 homes
■Lancaster City Council, £1.9m, for 114 homes
■Liverpool City Region, on behalf of Restore Consortium, £16.8m, for 711 homes
Liverpool City Council will use £13m of the allocation in Anfield to finish work next to the football stadium that ceased at the time of the closure of the Housing Market Renewal Initiative.

The council plans to work with Arena Housing Association to refurbish properties in the area within the boundary of Back Rockfield Road, Walton Breck Road, Sleepers Hill and Saker Street.

A number of options for the area, to be renamed Anfield Village, are being explored, including creating larger houses for families by knocking two into one and carrying out selective demolition to create space for gardens in the remaining properties.

http://www.placenorthwest.co.uk/news/archive/11730-hca-awards-36m-to-tackle-empty-homes.html

That's a big wedge of the funding for us, I guess because the scheme involved conversion and demolitions. Good news. If £13m is being used for Anfield Village, then that leaves £3m to go on other projects. Not much, but it could (if using the other area calculations) renovate another 300 homes where reconfiguration wasn't needed.

This presumably ties in with today's Echo story about Welsh Streets.

Whatever happened to 'localism'? Where the local community have expressed a wish for demolition and rebuild to take place instead, Grant Shapps shouldn't be sticking his oar in and insisting on refurbishment as the only option.

Yeah, looks like 117 houses in the Welsh streets are to be refurbished. Good news. The area could be quite desirable for first time buyers, with a park nearby and within walking distance of town.

Another 711 of Joe's 5,000 homes fully funded and on the way. Keep up the good work.


THE childhood home of Ringo Starr will be saved from demolition thanks to a £2m government grant.

Join My Deco for Free and get a £20 Discount! The terrace where the Beatles drummer was born on Madryn Street, Dingle, could now go into the hands of the National Trust and become a tourist attraction.

Liverpool’s Liberal Democrat leader Cllr Richard Kemp today confirmed that 117 properties in what are known as the Welsh Streets will be saved.

A debate on what should become of the 11 Welsh streets has raged for eight years, with one side saying they should be demolished and the land developed, and the other claiming the Victorian terraces should be restored to their former glory.

Speaking to the ECHO today Cllr Kemp who is chairman of Plus Dane, the social landlord who owns a large number of the Welsh Street properties, said he was “very pleased” with the news.

He said: “I don’t know any of the details yet, other than we’ll be bringing 117 properties back into use. These will be properties people want to live in. It wasn’t the original plan, but times have changed. This is the right thing to do with the circumstances of the housing market at the moment.”

Speaking about Ringo’s house, Cllr Kemp said that was one of the properties earmarked for saving, and there are hopes to strike a deal with the National Trust for them to take on the property, as they have with John Lennon’s childhood home Mendips on Menlove Avenue, and 20 Forthlin Road in Allerton, where Sir Paul McCartney grew up.

The news was welcomed by campaigners who have been battling to save the properties from the wrecking ball.

Nina Edge, from the Welsh Streets Home Group, said: “We always hoped that some of this lovely place could be spared the bulldozer, especially with so many people in housing need.

“When we met Joe Anderson last year he said he would consider a viable alternative to demolition for part of the Welsh Streets. We are so glad an alternative has now come up.

“Until we see these streets officially removed from the demolition zone and agreed by Liverpool council it will seem unreal though. Fingers crossed they really mean it.”

Details of exactly which properties will be saved must now be worked out, and activists were hoping to be able to get around the table and put forward their views on the future of the Welsh streets.

Jonathan Brown, of the Merseyside Civic Society, said: “This is tribute to the tenacity of the residents who have been campaigning for so long.”



Read More http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2012/05/30/liverpool-home-of-beatles-drummer-ringo-starr-to-be-saved-100252-31073516/#ixzz1wMUKZ4BR

Great news all round, I never was in favour of them streets being demolished anyway.

It's good that we're starting to see some investment from government.

This is all surely good news.

Travelling home along Rocky Lane (West Derby Road) the other day I noticed one of the large 3/4 storey homes boarded up. That's the first time I've seen one of those properties boarded up and it wasn't a good sign. Those houses could be absolutely magnificent - to be fair, a couple of them still are.

The National Trust don't want anything to do with Ringo's 'birthplace':

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/the-beatles/9300840/National-Trust-Ringo-Starrs-birthplace-not-worth-saving-because-he-hardly-lived-there.html

This is all surely good news.

Travelling home along Rocky Lane (West Derby Road) the other day I noticed one of the large 3/4 storey homes boarded up. That's the first time I've seen one of those properties boarded up and it wasn't a good sign. Those houses could be absolutely magnificent - to be fair, a couple of them still are.

Very true, some very beautiful and large houses which anyone in Liverpool and in the UK would love to live in. Why is this allowed to happen?.

Off Granby St

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj32/buggedboy/IMAG0167-4.jpg

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj32/buggedboy/IMAG0166-3.jpg

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj32/buggedboy/IMAG0165-2.jpg

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj32/buggedboy/IMAG0164-3.jpg

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj32/buggedboy/IMAG0163-2.jpg

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj32/buggedboy/IMAG0161-3.jpg

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj32/buggedboy/IMAG0162-1.jpg

Off Edge Lane
http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj32/buggedboy/IMAG0170-3.jpg

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj32/buggedboy/IMAG0169-2.jpg


Edge Lane Health Centre
http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj32/buggedboy/IMAG0168-3.jpg


Firefit
http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj32/buggedboy/IMAG0160-3.jpg

Really, really trying to keep my mouth shut.

Hate to say it, but they are piss poor! They should all be three storey with integral garages. Again they are not very desirable and look like council houses. A very good example of what they should have based their design on is on Peel Street L8 - original, modern and nice

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj32/buggedboy/IMAG0162-1.jpg





My daughter was watching The Little Mermaid today - this design reminds me of the faces of those poor souls who fall foul of Ursula's demonic powers.

And this is one of the better ones!!!

I'd love to read what the planners wrote about some of these places, they're not much bigger than sheds.

You guys much live is some swanky pads as they are bigger than my house and I live in one of these so called characterful, big houses.
https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=sunbourne+road+liverpool&ie=UTF-8&hq=&hnear=0x487b208cb8f2b6f5:0xadda2b17f3918084,Sunbourne+Rd,+Liverpool&gl=uk&ei=zdHPT82hHaeU0QXVldDJCw&oi=geocode_result&ved=0CAoQ8gEwAA

In any event, get used to it I suppose, there 4,500 more where these came from over the next 4 years!

You guys much live is some swanky pads as they are bigger than my house and I live in one of these so called characterful, big houses.
https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=sunbourne+road+liverpool&ie=UTF-8&hq=&hnear=0x487b208cb8f2b6f5:0xadda2b17f3918084,Sunbourne+Rd,+Liverpool&gl=uk&ei=zdHPT82hHaeU0QXVldDJCw&oi=geocode_result&ved=0CAoQ8gEwAA

I live in a new build flat. It's just as ugly, boxy, pokey, cramped, dark (tiny windows), badly insulated, badly sound-proofed, soulless and depressing as any new build house. Not to mention it's in a total shithole of an area with nothing around - just grotty takeaways, an Aldi and some patches of brown grass (supposed to be a park, apparently). And these are private 'yuppie' flats that are supposed to sell for over £100k!


Those houses in your link look nice. The Victorians knew how to built good quality houses that were built to last. They might look smaller than these new abominations, but I highly doubt they are. Those terraces have character. They have the little things about them that make them a 'home' - little nooks and crannies, storage space! Do you know how many built in cupboards there are in my flat? Zero. Shoes, coats, the hoover... all just kept where ever they'll go.

That's just what I hate about new builds in general!

My real problem with these monstrosities is that they're not real regeneration!!! They're just this generation's council estates. And they're suburban houses!!! These are like the cardboard boxes you find (*ahem* avoid) in Norris Green.
What kind of city builds a suburban council estate metres outside its city centre?!?! One that wants to restrict its own growth. One that wants its inner-city to always remain a crime-ridden poverty ghetto. Perhaps one that has equally horrendous mistakes in its city centre!!

It think the way of deciding whether a house is good or not is to ask yourself: Would you live there? Would you buy it? Would you be happy to call that neighbourhood (if you can call it that) home? Would you be happy to look out of your tiny windows at those houses?


It's actually very simple.
Suburban houses should be banned from the inner-city. Anyone who did a Geography GCSE knows how cities naturally develop. A CBD, surrounded by dense apartments, surrounded by dense houses (i.e., terraces), surrounded by inner suburbs (i.e., semis), surrounded by outer suburbs (big detached houses). Somewhere, we forgot this and decided to build cheap suburban shit everywhere.

The way forward is to follow this traditional method that has been tried and tested.
These houses should have been large terraces to maximise land use without looking like a rabbit-hutch display at Pets at Home. There needs to be investment in the community - a local 'high street', good schools, community centres, high quality parks (not a patch of grass surrounded by railings).


Housing is something that is essential. It needs to be strongly regulated. It shouldn't be up to the likes of Barrat and Bellway to build cheap boxes to squeeze every possible penny of profit.

In any event, get used to it I suppose, there 4,500 more where these came from over the next 4 years!

Jesus Christ :bash:

Bearing in mind your total distaste for soulless new build flats, why did you choose to live in one rather than a Victorian terrace? Seems illogical to me and might be why these "monstrosities" continue being built as, by doing so, the impression is given that is what the market wants. :dunno:

Because I only had a week to find somewhere to live before I started my job. And rent seems to be higher in Manchester than comparable cities for some reason :(

The Victorian model was lagely founded on packing in poorer workers, giving them less space because it was cheap. In effect, the dense housing was a direct contributer to the fact that people in inner cities remain poor. The affluent got their gardens and driveways, building in a disparity in property prices that crystallises wealth and social strata.

The days of dense terracing have passed. They will never return. Any new houses will automatically have included in them the very things that make houses desirable. One of the main things is a garden and bigger defensible space. That is why you are seeing these new houses being less dense. They are getting more space, not less. Those houses off Grafton St are better than my terrace. They have a garage, a garden and similar space. Lower ceilings certainly and probably a combined kitchen/dining room, but that has more to do with the fact that women and men both work now and there's no "wifey" at home to cook dinner, in a kitchen out of the way.

Fair enough about flats. Many modern flats are too small. But hardly any of those new builds are flats, most are houses. Most of which, if in L17, would cost 15k more than my terrace.

I certainly don't buy the arguement about character either. Nothing is as uniform and absent of character as a terraced house. They are same up and down the country.

Don't get me wrong, I love where I live, but I'd swap it for a detached new build any day.

The Victorian model was lagely founded on packing in poorer workers, giving them less space because it was cheap. In effect, the dense housing was a direct contributer to the fact that people in inner cities remain poor. The affluent got their gardens and driveways, building in a disparity in property prices that crystallises wealth and social strata.

And building a suburban council estate won't do a thing to change that.
If you saw the programme on BBC Two last night about how 'slum clearance' irreversibly changed Deptford, they made the very accurate point that council estates are ungentrifiable. Nobody wants to live on a council estate if they can help it. You won't see any young professionals or professional families choosing to live here. But you will see more of them in the gentrified houses in Princes Ave, Princes Park and Sefton Park.



The days of dense terracing have passed. They will never return. Any new houses will automatically have included in them the very things that make houses desirable. One of the main things is a garden and bigger defensible space. That is why you are seeing these new houses being less dense. They are getting more space, not less. Those houses off Grafton St are better than my terrace. They have a garage, a garden and similar space. Lower ceilings certainly and probably a combined kitchen/dining room, but that has more to do with the fact that women and men both work now and there's no "wifey" at home to cook dinner, in a kitchen out of the way.

I disagree.
Two of my friends (a 'yuppie' couple) have just bought a new-build terrace in Befordshire. It's honestly the only new-build I've seen that I'd be happy to live in.

I used to live in this inner-city neighbourhood of Nottingham (https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=west+bridgford&hl=en&ll=52.935979,-1.122429&spn=0.006609,0.01929&sll=53.41154,-2.990116&sspn=0.209143,0.617294&t=h&hnear=West+Bridgford,+Nottinghamshire,+United+Kingdom&z=16&layer=c&cbll=52.936057,-1.126659&panoid=wxQmVy1IpJ427I1veBL7iA&cbp=12,264.66,,0,-2.74).
Why can't we build houses like that? Reasonably dense but still with privacy (why do all new-builds seem to only have little patches of grass outside with no fencing or walls?!).
Plus this area has an excellent 'town' centre located next to a fantastic park.


Fair enough about flats. Many modern flats are too small. But hardly any of those new builds are flats, most are houses. Most of which, if in L17, would cost 15k more than my terrace.

I certainly don't buy the arguement about character either. Nothing is as uniform and absent of character as a terraced house. They are same up and down the country.

Don't get me wrong, I love where I live, but I'd swap it for a detached new build any day.

Maybe it's just my hatred of new-builds but I'd take this (https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=Peel+Street,+Liverpool&hl=en&ll=53.383248,-2.958509&spn=0.001635,0.004823&sll=53.381037,-2.95632&sspn=0.00327,0.009645&oq=peel+st&t=h&hnear=Peel+St,+Liverpool,+United+Kingdom&z=18&layer=c&cbll=53.383327,-2.958398&panoid=4FamrLtOS4oK5ItsEroG-A&cbp=12,182.62,,0,-9.1) over this thing (which looks like a prison... or an American housing project) (https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=Peel+Street,+Liverpool&hl=en&ll=53.384268,-2.961309&spn=0.001648,0.004823&sll=53.381037,-2.95632&sspn=0.00327,0.009645&oq=peel+st&t=h&hnear=Peel+St,+Liverpool,+United+Kingdom&z=18&layer=c&cbll=53.384268,-2.961309&panoid=Bh8Fzz3vC1B6ie4YVLgiog&cbp=12,156.48,,0,2.1).


Dreamer's right, those new-builds on Peel Street (https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=Peel+Street,+Liverpool&hl=en&ll=53.383192,-2.958589&spn=0.001648,0.004823&sll=53.381037,-2.95632&sspn=0.00327,0.009645&oq=peel+st&t=h&hnear=Peel+St,+Liverpool,+United+Kingdom&z=18&layer=c&cbll=53.383192,-2.958589&panoid=av6hhgduoGe9MtZbi6201A&cbp=12,330.84,,0,-1.3) actually seem pretty good.
I'd have to look inside one before I could say if I'd live there though :lol:

I still maintain though, that just building new houses is not enough. A proper 'town centre' needs to be created too.

over this thing (which looks like a prison... or an American housing project) (https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=Peel+Street,+Liverpool&hl=en&ll=53.384268,-2.961309&spn=0.001648,0.004823&sll=53.381037,-2.95632&sspn=0.00327,0.009645&oq=peel+st&t=h&hnear=Peel+St,+Liverpool,+United+Kingdom&z=18&layer=c&cbll=53.384268,-2.961309&panoid=Bh8Fzz3vC1B6ie4YVLgiog&cbp=12,156.48,,0,2.1).


What the hell is that? Flats, two front doors? That's just the worst design I've ever seen if so.

And building a suburban council estate won't do a thing to change that.
If you saw the programme on BBC Two last night about how 'slum clearance' irreversibly changed Deptford, they made the very accurate point that council estates are ungentrifiable. Nobody wants to live on a council estate if they can help it. You won't see any young professionals or professional families choosing to live here. But you will see more of them in the gentrified houses in Princes Ave, Princes Park and Sefton Park.





I disagree.
Two of my friends (a 'yuppie' couple) have just bought a new-build terrace in Befordshire. It's honestly the only new-build I've seen that I'd be happy to live in.

I used to live in this inner-city neighbourhood of Nottingham (https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=west+bridgford&hl=en&ll=52.935979,-1.122429&spn=0.006609,0.01929&sll=53.41154,-2.990116&sspn=0.209143,0.617294&t=h&hnear=West+Bridgford,+Nottinghamshire,+United+Kingdom&z=16&layer=c&cbll=52.936057,-1.126659&panoid=wxQmVy1IpJ427I1veBL7iA&cbp=12,264.66,,0,-2.74).
Why can't we build houses like that? Reasonably dense but still with privacy (why do all new-builds seem to only have little patches of grass outside with no fencing or walls?!).
Plus this area has an excellent 'town' centre located next to a fantastic park.




Maybe it's just my hatred of new-builds but I'd take this (https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=Peel+Street,+Liverpool&hl=en&ll=53.383248,-2.958509&spn=0.001635,0.004823&sll=53.381037,-2.95632&sspn=0.00327,0.009645&oq=peel+st&t=h&hnear=Peel+St,+Liverpool,+United+Kingdom&z=18&layer=c&cbll=53.383327,-2.958398&panoid=4FamrLtOS4oK5ItsEroG-A&cbp=12,182.62,,0,-9.1) over this thing (which looks like a prison... or an American housing project) (https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=Peel+Street,+Liverpool&hl=en&ll=53.384268,-2.961309&spn=0.001648,0.004823&sll=53.381037,-2.95632&sspn=0.00327,0.009645&oq=peel+st&t=h&hnear=Peel+St,+Liverpool,+United+Kingdom&z=18&layer=c&cbll=53.384268,-2.961309&panoid=Bh8Fzz3vC1B6ie4YVLgiog&cbp=12,156.48,,0,2.1).


Dreamer's right, those new-builds on Peel Street (https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=Peel+Street,+Liverpool&hl=en&ll=53.383192,-2.958589&spn=0.001648,0.004823&sll=53.381037,-2.95632&sspn=0.00327,0.009645&oq=peel+st&t=h&hnear=Peel+St,+Liverpool,+United+Kingdom&z=18&layer=c&cbll=53.383192,-2.958589&panoid=av6hhgduoGe9MtZbi6201A&cbp=12,330.84,,0,-1.3) actually seem pretty good.
I'd have to look inside one before I could say if I'd live there though :lol:

I still maintain though, that just building new houses is not enough. A proper 'town centre' needs to be created too.

These new housing will be properly mixed, with the majority being privately owned. Very, very few are going to social housing.

As to the Peel St housing, I quite like those too. There's some other interesting ones off Lodge Lane somewhere too, I wonder if I have some pics.

In terms of new builds, I'm a huge fan of Cressington Heath. A great development.

These new housing will be properly mixed, with the majority being privately owned. Very, very few are going to social housing.
But they look like council houses. And the rest of Granby is a council estate (apart from the few Victorian streets - a lot which boarded up :ohno:). The whole area looks like a piece of Norris Green or Kirkby and that's enough to put most people off.

As to the Peel St housing, I quite like those too. There's some other interesting ones off Lodge Lane somewhere too, I wonder if I have some pics.

In terms of new builds, I'm a huge fan of Cressington Heath. A great development.

Cressington Heath does look nice. New builds with character! There should be similar developments on the empty land in Norris Green near Muirhead Ave. That's breathe some much needed new life into the area.

And they're suburban houses that are actually in the suburbs ;)

But they look like council houses. And the rest of Granby is a council estate (apart from the few Victorian streets - a lot which boarded up :ohno:). The whole area looks like a piece of Norris Green or Kirkby and that's enough to put most people off.

Cressington Heath does look nice. New builds with character! There should be similar developments on the empty land in Norris Green near Muirhead Ave. That's breathe some much needed new life into the area.

And they're suburban houses that are actually in the suburbs ;)

Totally agree with you Pabs. Jermyn STreet in Granby T is a great example of spacious dense urban housing, they could of used this as a template and added parking and slightly larger gardens. Lesseps Road off Smithdown is another great example of descent large dense housing. The type people want to live in.

Everton Library set to be restored in £5m project

A £5M PROJECT to restore Everton Library is getting underway.

It is hoped the derelict building will not only be saved by the scheme, called the Jewel on the Hill project, but will also be returned to full use in four years time.

A Heritage Lottery Fund initial development grant of £284,000 has been awarded to progress detailed plans towards the grant-aided restoration of the Grade II listed building.

The work will be done in a partnership by Heritage Works Buildings Preservation Trust, arts organisation Hope Street Ltd and Liverpool City Council.

The development work will start next month and run until autumn 2013, when the full grant application will be submitted.

Other match funding will be needed for the project but it is hoped the building, in St Domingo Road, will open by autumn 2016.

Everton Library is situated at one of the highest points in the city and is a local landmark with views over the city centre, north Liverpool, the river and sea.

The Jewel on the Hill project is an important part of the wider regeneration activity in the Everton Park and its neighbourhood.

The council said the park will be redesigned as a visitor attraction and surrounded by good quality new housing development.

Its vision is of a “beautiful building in a historic location to be developed as a creation centre serving Everton and the neighbourhoods beyond.”

It is hoped it will be a centre for enterprise and education.

The plan is that Hope Street Ltd will manage the restored building, working with other local partners to create an arts and heritage programme.

John Glester, Heritage Works chairman, said, “The Jewel on the Hill vision is the culmination of five years’ work with local stakeholder groups and can restore the present sad and derelict building to an integral part of community life whilst preserving an important part of Everton’s heritage”.

Sara Hilton, of Heritage Lottery Fund North West, said: “We are delighted to be giving our initial support for this exciting and ambitious project that will transform Everton Library.

“Bringing this fantastic piece of Everton’s heritage back to life for the local community to use and enjoy and giving it a new sustainable use will be a real boost to the area and feed into wider regeneration plans.

Cllr Maria McEvoy, Liverpool City Council heritage champion, said: “This is a fantastic, innovative scheme which will not only bring back into use this beautiful and historic building, but also engage the local community in finding out more about the heritage of the area where they live.

“This is an exciting time for the Everton Park area, with lots of regeneration planned.

“It’s wonderful that with investment from the Heritage Lottery Fund this much-loved local landmark will play its part.”

Read More http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-news/regional-news/2012/06/15/everton-library-set-to-be-restored-in-5m-project-99623-31187969/#ixzz1xsk7bdBV

These new housing will be properly mixed, with the majority being privately owned. Very, very few are going to social housing.

As to the Peel St housing, I quite like those too. There's some other interesting ones off Lodge Lane somewhere too, I wonder if I have some pics.

In terms of new builds, I'm a huge fan of Cressington Heath. A great development.

I've just been looking at our sister city, Cologne, on Google Street View.
https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&ll=50.962657,6.974773&spn=0.001568,0.009645&t=m&z=17&layer=c&cbll=50.962718,6.972692&panoid=met6kDSGEPCLBq3jVUKEIA&cbp=12,270.53,,0,-7.88 (This area is about 3km from Neumarkt - which is pretty much the centre of Central Cologne)

Why can't we rebuild areas like Granby, Dingle, Kirkdale etc with homes like that? That street has a wide variety of housing styles - some small (and therefore cheaper), some large, some apartment blocks.

Cologne is about the same size as Liverpool (both just over 1m - although Metro Cologne is bigger than Metro Liverpool at 3m vs just under 2m respectively). Central Cologne is the area encompassing the city centre and the immediate inner-city neighbourhoods which blend seamlessly together. This central area is more than double the size of Liverpool city centre (including Canning as city centre). Central Cologne is built up using apartment blocks like these (https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&ll=52.495402,13.350191&spn=0.013456,0.038581&t=h&z=15&layer=c&cbll=52.495394,13.342012&panoid=Z_kzm3xb4KDbFIbHwL1D5g&cbp=12,290.41,,0,-13.29)*. There's a real population of all kinds of people that live in the Central area - this is something that Liverpool (along with most other British cities) lost in the post-war redevelopments, and what I'd love to see return.
I'd like to see Toxteth, Vauxhall and Edge Hill rebuilt like that to allow a 'Central Liverpool' to develop and facilitate the expansion of the city centre.

Would you rather live in a an apartment like that surrounded by gardens and parks with shops, pubs, restaurants just metres away or in a Bellway shoebox? If you'd prefer a free-standing house with private garden and garage, the question still stands - a place like in my first link in a mixed community, or a Bellway shoebox in a council estate?


* This is actually Berlin as I think their blocks are prettier than Cologne's and so gives a better example of what I'd like to see in Liverpool.

College unveils £8m community masterplan

TODAY, the ECHO can reveal an £8m masterplan which aims to put the community at the heart of a Merseyside college.

Our exclusive image shows the ultra-modern premises Bootle’s Hugh Baird College plans to open as a public facility intended to fuel regeneration and future jobs.

Based on Stanley Road and backing on to Balliol Road, the striking building would open next year, subject to planning permission.

College bosses stress the provision and facilities have been carefully selected so they could be utilised by the public as well as apprentices, students and businesses.

A whole floor would be dedicated to a public library featuring everything from the latest information technology to classic literature.

The college has worked closely on its plans with Sefton Council and, although still at the development stage, the public could register for the library through the local authority.

Other community-led facilities could include a dedicated Jobcentre Plus base with those seeking employment able to access computers and an expert advisor.

A public cafe with a “Liverpool One look” and outdoor eating area staffed by catering apprentices would be on the ground floor of the building.

And the first floor of the building would be the domain for employers.

Firms could benefit from professional training courses for staff – but it would also be a corporate hospitality base allowing local companies to host meetings and conferences for clients.

The second floor of the building would be home to a “university centre” – a dedicated place of study for students taking one of the college’s degree programmes, ranging from visual merchandising to business.

The top floor would be an open-plan study area for art students.

Also included in the plans is a performing arts centre which could be booked out for public events ranging from school productions to conferences.

Catering students would provide the food and drink to people booking facilities at the centre, which is being funded entirely by the college.

Although the blueprint is still in development and talks are continuing the college, with input from Sefton council, is also looking to “regenerate” and help manage the adjoining South Park.

Unveiling the plans, Principal Yana Williams said the site would not only help create jobs in Bootle, but provide vital community facilities.

“What we are putting forward is something we want the whole community to be proud of. It would be a community centre which also provided education, we are turning it on its head.

“Not everyone in Bootle may feel education is for them but they may want to come and have a coffee, use the library.”

The proposals have now been submitted to Sefton council.

Read More http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2012/06/18/exclusive-bootle-s-hugh-baird-college-unveils-8m-community-masterplan-100252-31204107/#ixzz1y8A26zmH

I've just been looking at our sister city, Cologne, on Google Street View.
https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&ll=50.962657,6.974773&spn=0.001568,0.009645&t=m&z=17&layer=c&cbll=50.962718,6.972692&panoid=met6kDSGEPCLBq3jVUKEIA&cbp=12,270.53,,0,-7.88 (This area is about 3km from Neumarkt - which is pretty much the centre of Central Cologne)

Why can't we rebuild areas like Granby, Dingle, Kirkdale etc with homes like that? That street has a wide variety of housing styles - some small (and therefore cheaper), some large, some apartment blocks.

Cologne is about the same size as Liverpool (both just over 1m - although Metro Cologne is bigger than Metro Liverpool at 3m vs just under 2m respectively). Central Cologne is the area encompassing the city centre and the immediate inner-city neighbourhoods which blend seamlessly together. This central area is more than double the size of Liverpool city centre (including Canning as city centre). Central Cologne is built up using apartment blocks like these (https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&ll=52.495402,13.350191&spn=0.013456,0.038581&t=h&z=15&layer=c&cbll=52.495394,13.342012&panoid=Z_kzm3xb4KDbFIbHwL1D5g&cbp=12,290.41,,0,-13.29)*. There's a real population of all kinds of people that live in the Central area - this is something that Liverpool (along with most other British cities) lost in the post-war redevelopments, and what I'd love to see return.
I'd like to see Toxteth, Vauxhall and Edge Hill rebuilt like that to allow a 'Central Liverpool' to develop and facilitate the expansion of the city centre.

Would you rather live in a an apartment like that surrounded by gardens and parks with shops, pubs, restaurants just metres away or in a Bellway shoebox? If you'd prefer a free-standing house with private garden and garage, the question still stands - a place like in my first link in a mixed community, or a Bellway shoebox in a council estate?


* This is actually Berlin as I think their blocks are prettier than Cologne's and so gives a better example of what I'd like to see in Liverpool.


Some interesting pics there, but in answer to your question, I'd certainly prefer a shoe box and a garden than an apartment. I just don't see apartments as long term residential solutions for the majority. Fair enough for the transient population, such as students or recent graduates, who want to live right in the mix for a short-time, before getting sick of it.

In any event, the majority of these new homes are not for social rent, they are being offered for private sale. Bellway aren't social landlords. They won't be council estates.

...

Some interesting pics there, but in answer to your question, I'd certainly prefer a shoe box and a garden than an apartment. I just don't see apartments as long term residential solutions for the majority. Fair enough for the transient population, such as students or recent graduates, who want to live right in the mix for a short-time, before getting sick of it.
Which is your personal preference (I noticed you skipped over the second part of my question ;)).

I don't see why German and Spanish people are very happy to live in apartments in the heart of a vibrant community but apparently Brits are not.
I think the problem is a lot of Brits think of apartment living as being either isolated high-rise commieblock ghettos or tiny, plastic yuppie flats. These would be proper German-style apartments. They'd have all the space of a house.

Before the recession hit, we started to see the city centre expanding into Vauxhall, Toxteth and Edge Hill - this won't be able to happen if built-up city centre suddenly stops and disjointed pieces of a Kirkby council estate begin across the road!



And even if you do believe that apartments are just for students and recent graduates, surely they're the kind of people we need to attract a lot more of?

In any event, the majority of these new homes are not for social rent, they are being offered for private sale. Bellway aren't social landlords. They won't be council estates.

It really doesn't make a difference. They look like council houses. The areas are all ugly concrete eyesores. They won't attract any "new money". The areas will continue to be poverty stricken, crime ridden cesspits.

I already live in a private development that's been built next to a council estate. Result is, everywhere around is ugly. The people are all miserable. All the schools are terrible (not that I've got kids). The only nearby shops are Aldi and Iceland. There's no parks or gardens nearby (just those patches of grass surrounded by railings that seem to be common to council estates). Stray from the main roads and you feel like you'll get stabbed at any minute. I tried to move out a few months back but I couldn't find a single person who was interested - everyone thought the flat itself was OK but the area was a total dump. The only reason I'm here is I needed to move here quickly and live somewhere near a tram stop. (I'm eagerly counting until september when my contract is up and I can leave!!!!)
So I'm painfully aware of what this "regeneration" will bring.

The only way of truly regenerating the inner-city is to create a proper mixed community. It has to be able to attract people who'd otherwise want to live somewhere like Allerton. You won't do that by building houses that look like they've been lifted out of Belle Vale!
Manchester City Council have achieved this to some degree in Hulme - which is roughly Manchester's equivalent of Toxteth. They flattened a load of the council houses in the 1990s and built mixed-use apartment blocks. Some of them have ground-level retail, some are student halls, some of social housing, most are private. They've done a pretty good job since the area seems to be full of graduates and recent newbies to the city when just over 10 years ago it had an appalling reputation for poverty and crime. If the A57 wasn't in the way, "Central Manchester" would be extending to gobble up Hulme.

The option shouldn't be shoe boxes by bell way, but attractive spacious dense town houses with all the requirements modern living needs and a garden

http://anfieldsrockfieldtriangle.weebly.com/rockfield-refurbishment-options.html

Went to teh exhibition up at Isla Gladstone the other day. Apparently, they housing association are already on site with refurbish 14 houses and, subject to approval, will begin work on the rest ASAP.

This is totally separate from Anfield Village, by the way.

Pablo. Toxteth is not an ugly crime ridden cess pit. The new houses do not look like a kirkby council estate and building houses does not mean that there cannot also be appartments built. I understand the points you are making but I think you're prone to exageration. I really don't like those pictures of the german suburbs you posted. They look like a weird teutonic toy town.

Apparently, they housing association are already on site with refurbish 14 houses and, subject to approval, will begin work on the rest ASAP.



On which street? And what does "the rest" contain?

On which street? And what does "the rest" contain?

That depends on funding. The plans set out which houses they intend to work on, but the whole scheme is not yet fully funded.

Sorry if it belongs in another thread?

Estuary buildings pre-sold for £4.8m

http://img38.imageshack.us/img38/1379/estuarybanksgroundview.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/38/estuarybanksgroundview.jpg/)

A joint venture between Capital & Centric and Barnfield Construction has sold before completion 80,000 sq ft to business centre operator, Business First, at it Estuary Banks development in south Liverpool.

The development, once complete, will provide 160,000 sq ft of office and storage space.

Business First has purchased two units totalling 80,000 sq ft for around £60/sq ft. The space will be fitted out for use as offices, storage and archiving.

The joint venture started speculative construction last year when few speculative schemes were being built. Estuary Banks is scheduled for completion in August 2012 and consists of four units each measuring 20,000 sq ft on the ground floor with further first floor space.

The development is designed to BREEAM 'excellent' standard encompassing the very latest green technology, materials and design.

The project received £2.54m of European Regional Development Fund money and it is anticipated that it will create numerous new jobs for the area.

The Estuary Banks scheme is located on Estuary Commerce Park, south Liverpool, just off the A561 and adjacent to Liverpool John Lennon Airport.

Tim Heatley, director of Capital & Centric, said: "Business First has previously been successful elsewhere in south Liverpool and we're pleased to be in a position to offer it further growth space at the right time. There are only very few organisations like us speculatively developing stock at present and our strategy of ploughing ahead with building new space for sensible rents is paying dividends for us in our target markets."

Sir Howard Bernstein, deputy chairman of the North West European Regional Development Fund Local Management Committee, said: "This deal is great news for the south Liverpool area and the wider local economy. The high quality facilities created through this project will continue to attract businesses, creating local jobs and opportunities for other local operators."

Barnfield is the contractor and Campbell Driver Partnership the architect. Mason Owen and CBRE are the letting agents.

Here's a nice bit of regeneration taking place that wont see any coverage, it's the houses and clock tower at the entrance to West Derby Cemetery.The other year the Lodge was bought and done up and is now somebody's home, now the properties facing have had a similar upgrade, the whole facade has been cleaned and the clock is currently being restored and will soon be working for the first time in years before the rest of the properties become homes.:cheers:

http://img593.imageshack.us/img593/8071/westderbycemetery.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/593/westderbycemetery.jpg/)

http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/9168/westderbycemeteryclock.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/24/westderbycemeteryclock.jpg/)

Without meaning to go on and on...


New social housing in inner-city London (Southwark).
http://i47.************/qxjasm.png


New, apparently private, housing in inner-city Liverpool.
Off Granby St

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj32/buggedboy/IMAG0167-4.jpg


Hmmmmm.

Apparently private? Is there a type of design you can instinctively tell is private/council? Not sure how you worked that one out. I get you don't like the design. There's some three storey stuff over the road, but many moaned about that too.

I personally prefer that yellow brick and york stone too, but we don't get it as much as we are apparently a red brick city, whatever that means.

Apparently private? Is there a type of design you can instinctively tell is private/council? Not sure how you worked that one out. I get you don't like the design. There's some three storey stuff over the road, but many moaned about that too.

I personally prefer that yellow brick and york stone too, but we don't get it as much as we are apparently a red brick city, whatever that means.

Ok, I'll try to explain my reasons without making silly remarks.

They're the suburban houses. The way they've redeveloped the street is suburban. Look at the cheap tarmac sidewalk (I'm not American but that's actually the more correct word in this case - there's no paving in sight). The entire layout is post-war suburbia style - anti-pedestrian and pro-car. The streets (well, roads) are not built for life - it's completely anti-community. I wouldn't feel comfortable walking down this road - the houses have no external privacy, I'd feel like I was walking through everyone's front garden. As silly as it sounds, those small fences in the London pic actually have a big psychological effect. I can just see this when the road is filled with parked cars - it'll be terrible to drive down and impossible to walk down (that's if it's not a cul-de-sac).

Also, where's the greenery? The whole scene just looks grey and depressing (Ok, the weather on the day the photo was taken doesn't help - but we get more of those days than bright, sunny days so...). The only vegetation seems to be those little patches of grass. No big trees or anything. But to be fair, a lot of new private estates do this too (and I hate that just as much).

Now, on to the design...
Small, boxy, generic, cheap. The things that scream 'council house' to me are those white boxes on the walls (electricity and gas meters?) and those little semi-porch things over the front doors. I've only seen these on council houses and those "affordable houses" that are built by private developers for housing associations or because the developer was forced in to it (i.e., council housing in all but legality).

This area is not the suburbs! Go build these in Norris Green or Kirkby and I won't complain about their design (the public realm would still be an issue though!). For Toxteth/Granby/Dingle, some kind of Neo-Victorian townhouse would be good. Maybe something based on this (https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&ll=53.426924,-2.959625&spn=0.003292,0.009645&hnear=Liverpool,+Merseyside,+United+Kingdom&t=h&z=17&layer=c&cbll=53.426921,-2.961675&panoid=9zvSD8FD_SbueU-en6wKLA&cbp=12,134.09,,0,-12.38) design - that basement bit could be a garage? Just an idea.


It just really, really saddens me that within a few streets this (https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&ll=53.398249,-2.963004&spn=0.003269,0.009645&hnear=Liverpool,+Merseyside,+United+Kingdom&t=h&z=17&layer=c&cbll=53.39825,-2.965053&panoid=XZVbT2pdom7f36jHo9V0-w&cbp=12,266.83,,0,-0.14) has become this (https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&ll=53.401505,-2.953455&spn=0.003294,0.009645&hnear=Liverpool,+Merseyside,+United+Kingdom&t=h&z=17&layer=c&cbll=53.401508,-2.955509&panoid=EvNYmp3ue2m1gwWrYqEUQw&cbp=12,153.36,,0,8.86). Edge Hill is the perfect place for those Neo-Georgian houses (Southwark Council built more around the corner and sold them privately for £1.5m each!). It'd blend seamlessly from Canning (which tends to be considered city centre - at least 'Central Liverpool'), allowing the future expansion of the city centre eastwards.


What's brought this on is watching the second episode of The Secret History of Our Streets (http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b01jzpm3/The_Secret_History_of_Our_Streets_Camberwell_Grove/). It was about Camberwell Grove (kind of similar to Princes Avenue actually) in Camberwell (inner city South London). The episode looks at London councils' post war housing policies and how many, many streets of elegant Georgian and Victorian terraces and villas were destroyed to be replaced with council estates because the planners believed that's what the people wanted. It explored the many reasons why this was a ridiculous policy and has ended up making matters much worse (as did the first episode about Deptford). Southwark realised their mistakes which is why their new houses were built as Neo-Georgian terraces that blend in and they're demolishing a lot of the council estates in the area (the Aylesbury Estate being the biggest and most infamous).

It really saddened and angered me that London has acknowledged this and is slowly correcting it while Liverpool is still following a policy that is doomed for failure. As much as I want to move back home, it's not just the poor job prospects but the destructive urban policies that really puts me off.

Do those neo-Georgian townhouses cost more to build? Is there a market for these in Liverpool?

I agree with your points but I think the market also determines the quality of design/materials/finish.

New social housing in inner-city London (Southwark).
http://i47.************/qxjasm.png


Social Housing? Are they flats or someting?, they are massive, how many beds?

Do those neo-Georgian townhouses cost more to build? Is there a market for these in Liverpool?

I agree with your points but I think the market also determines the quality of design/materials/finish.

They probably do cost more since they're bigger so there's more brick to buy etc.

As for whether there's a market, I don't know. I suppose there isn't really anything like this. The single-occupancy houses in Canning are massive (like 7 beds!) and can cost over £1m... waaaaaay too much for the average middle-class family. The rest of the inner-city isn't currently much of an attractive place.

I seriously believe that Edge Hill could be turned into a beautiful and well sought after neighbourhood. If they replaced a load of the current houses with these types of Neo-Georgian townhouses (make some smaller and cheaper, some apartments, maybe some villas?), built some garden squares (like Falkner and Abercromby), some new schools and a 'district centre' with shops, pubs and other community places, it'd be amazing! If it was like that, I'd rather live there than in the southern suburbs.

Social Housing? Are they flats or someting?, they are massive, how many beds?

Yup, social housing.
I guess the ones on the right hand side may be flats... if not, they look about 5 beds. The ones on the left are probably 4 beds.

The council built another block of these around the corner which they sold privately for around £1.5m each. I guess that funded the construction of these?

They build this type of thing in Baltimore, maintaining their rowhouse tradition:

http://farm9.static.flickr.com/8284/7502834224_7ce2b113d1_b.jpg

This is in the innercity, once downbeat but now fashionable harbour-side Canton district.

Only 2 storeys plus a semi-basement, unlike the Southwark building in Pabs' pics but with what New Yorkers would call stoops, which are missing from the London terrace. They're also absent in this (http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&psj=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&biw=1280&bih=691&wrapid=tlif134142858774510&q=upper+parliament+street+liverpool&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hq=&hnear=0x487b20e205c736d7:0x110202c1e49ed868,Upper+Parliament+St,+Liverpool&gl=uk&sa=X&ei=EpT0T_uECqiy0QXah8mmBw&ved=0CAYQ8gEwAA) sub-Georgian effort on Parly here. I wonder if this is because of UK disability laws. Jane Jacobs says of course that the habit of her Greenwich village neighbours to sit upon their stoops on warm evenings, socialising with their neighbours and keeping an eye on the street was one of the factors that made where she lived function as a successful, vibrant and *safe* place to live, work and visit.

Of course our climate is different and Americans liked to (or at least did) sit out front of their homes in the sort of porches we have never many of in the UK even in more suburban and lower density neighbourhoods. Some old guys in L8 having carried over a tradition from elsewhere. still do this but it can't be easy doing that in a Bellway box.

Do those neo-Georgian townhouses cost more to build?It is cheaper to build conjoined (town) houses rather than semi's and far cheaper than building detached homes. The economies are quite substantial. For example, in a semi the utilities are back to back with like for like in each unit= bathrooms, laundry rooms, kitchens etc. Multiply this in a townhouse row and you will realize maximum savings.

They build this type of thing in Baltimore, maintaining their rowhouse tradition:

...

This is in the innercity, once downbeat but now fashionable harbour-side Canton district.

Only 2 storeys plus a semi-basement, unlike the Southwark building in Pabs' pics but with what New Yorkers would call stoops, which are missing from the London terrace. They're also absent in this (http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&psj=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&biw=1280&bih=691&wrapid=tlif134142858774510&q=upper+parliament+street+liverpool&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hq=&hnear=0x487b20e205c736d7:0x110202c1e49ed868,Upper+Parliament+St,+Liverpool&gl=uk&sa=X&ei=EpT0T_uECqiy0QXah8mmBw&ved=0CAYQ8gEwAA) sub-Georgian effort on Parly here. I wonder if this is because of UK disability laws. Jane Jacobs says of course that the habit of her Greenwich village neighbours to sit upon their stoops on warm evenings, socialising with their neighbourhoods and keeping an eye on the street was one of the factors that made where she lived work as a successful, vibrant and *safe* place to live, work and visit.

Of course our climate is different and Americans liked to (or at least did) sit out front of their homes in the sort of porches we have never many of in the UK even in more suburban and lower density neighbourhoods. Some old guys in L8 having carried over a tradition from elsewhere. still do this but it can't be easy doing that in a Bellway box.

Those Baltimore houses look pretty good. I'd have preferred to see them with an attic room bit (so three storeys) than with the semi-basement. The basement bit could be a semi-underground garage accessed with a slope - dunno how easy they are to build but I've seen them on some townhouses in Germany.


Are these (https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=upper+parliament+street+liverpool&hl=en&ll=53.394942,-2.971351&spn=0.003116,0.009645&hnear=Upper+Parliament+St,+Liverpool,+United+Kingdom&gl=uk&t=h&z=17&layer=c&cbll=53.394926,-2.973533&panoid=CpIInSucZQDPuN7Ltbp6UQ&cbp=12,194.41,,0,-4.78) the Georgian styles buildings you're talking about? They're certainly interesting and a good effort but there's something off about them. They just don't look right but I can't put my finger on what... I think it may be the windows. Hmm they'll probably look better when the brick ages a bit.

Are these (https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=upper+parliament+street+liverpool&hl=en&ll=53.394942,-2.971351&spn=0.003116,0.009645&hnear=Upper+Parliament+St,+Liverpool,+United+Kingdom&gl=uk&t=h&z=17&layer=c&cbll=53.394926,-2.973533&panoid=CpIInSucZQDPuN7Ltbp6UQ&cbp=12,194.41,,0,-4.78) the Georgian styles buildings you're talking about? They're certainly interesting and a good effort but there's something off about them.

Yep, them's the blighters. Couldn't get my little man to point in the right direction so I plonked him down on Blair St, round the back of the terrace.

Those Baltimore houses look pretty good. I'd have preferred to see them with an attic room bit (so three storeys) than with the semi-basement. The basement bit could be a semi-underground garage accessed with a slope - dunno how easy they are to build but I've seen them on some townhouses in Germany.The problem with "attic units" is the insulation required. There are many homes still being constructed with Attic units but the hydro costs are usually the limiting factor. It takes bigger H&AC units and motors to push heat and cold up from the basement to the attic (an extra floor.) The basement is always the utility room housing the furnace/AC unit, water heater and laundry room and is usually the full size of the ground floor area of the house. The basements, nowadays, are always poured concrete. A partial basement is just a subterranean room to house the above utilities, usually, less the laundry room.

Couldn't get my little man to point in the right direction so I plonked him down on Blair St, round the back of the terrace.

Queue some student type saying 'Ooo Err' in a Frankie Howard / Kenneth Williams type voice.

Without meaning to turn this into a fantasy thread, here's a quick Google Earth sketch of what I think could be done in Edge Hill...

http://i50.************/5uk3sx.jpg

Pink is Neo-Georgian townhouses. Blue is apartment blocks with ground level shops/pubs etc. Green is gardens/squares (like Falkner and Abercromby). Oxford St/Harbord St is the 'high street' - trams will run down here if they're ever built.

Pablo should be the city's housing officer.

Tunnel road has only just been built on. Many new houses and I can't see them being demolished. I know someone who has one. He loves it. You would call his house a rabbit hutch that anyone decent would avoid but he loves it. I like your neo georgian townhouses though.

Pablo should be the city's housing officer.

Hehe thanks

Tunnel road has only just been built on. Many new houses and I can't see them being demolished. I know someone who has one. He loves it. You would call his house a rabbit hutch that anyone decent would avoid but he loves it. I like your neo georgian townhouses though.

I know. I really don't like those new houses on Tunnel Road (surprise, surprise :lol:) but it would be stupid to knock down brand new houses.

The only reason I've marked Tunnel Road as having apartment blocks is because I also envisage Edge Hill station becoming a new hub (if we ever get a proper service on HS2, we'll need a new terminus - Lime Street is too short to take the full HS trains and the approach tunnels and platforms are already congested). So if Edge Hill becomes a mainline rail/tram/bus(/underground - something with the tunnels?) hub, the station's surroundings should be built up. I'd replace the little retail park next to the station with a new combined station and retail, office and apartment complex - similar to Milton Keynes Central (EDIT: I suppose if the new station entrance is on Wavertree Road then Tunnel Road could be left alone). The Littlewoods building would be refurbished into cheap offices for start-up companies - like The Sharp Project (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sharp_Project) in Manchester (which, incidentally, is where I work :banana:). I'd do the same with the Ogdens factory on West Derby Road... but that's got nothing to do with Edge Hill :lol:

Anfield Village building work to start within weeks says Liverpool council

WORK is due to start within weeks on a long-awaited £25m housing regeneration scheme in north Liverpool.

The final plans for Anfield Village show 374 homes, including 168 empty properties, will be saved and refurbished.

Another 224, including 116 derelict houses, will be demolished to make way for a new estate.

The plans include creating larger houses for families by knocking two into one, with pilot schemes in Saker Street and Gurnall Street due to start in August.

Liverpool council today said all residents who would be affected by the plans were consulted and almost nine out of 10 approved.

The work follows the government’s decision to axe the city’s housing market renewal initiative (HMRI), which was supposed to see the demolition and redevelopment of swathes of homes in Anfield, Wavertree, Edge Lane and Dingle.

Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson said: “This is great news for Anfield and marks a major milestone for this important scheme. Residents have waited too long for this work to happen and were rightly concerned and frustrated.

“I am delighted we are now working effectively with our partners to drive forward these plans and build a better future for the area.”

The Anfield Village plans involve around 600 properties which lie in the former phases six and seven of the Anfield-Breckfield HMRI area.

They fall within the boundary of Back Rockfield Road, Walton Breck Road, Sleepers Hill and Gilman Street, close to Liverpool FC’s Anfield stadium.

Cllr Ann O’Byrne, cabinet member for housing, said: “I am confident the programme of improvements we have worked up – with a good balance of refurbishment and demolition – will revitalise housing in Anfield. I can’t wait for it to get started.”

The project will be paid for with a mix of funding from the council, the Homes and Communities Agency and landlord Your Housing.

Read More http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2012/07/16/anfield-village-building-work-to-start-within-weeks-says-liverpool-council-100252-31400856/#ixzz20lsGemYx

That is a significant number of houses. I'd be interested to see what the new builds will look like and when they are scheduled to be built. If they are anything like Connought Green or the Parks, these should look decent...cue those saying they are not high/dense enough/noddy houses :)

I'm looking forward to the demolition and whatever they build it's a whole lot better than what's there now, as long as it looks good I couldn't care less.

http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee202/chrisbatesuk/smithdown-2.jpg
Copyright to the copyright holder. Shown here for information purposes only.

You may remember the above proposal by student flats company Dreaming Spires for a site near the Asda on Smithdown Road, which appeared on the Planning Explorer in April of last year. Well it appears this one may come to pass, as demolition of the buildings currently on the site is nearing completion, presumably (hopefully?) to allow construction to begin in the near future.

I noticed that the other day too. The only thing niggling me is that I'm sure the planning application was only an outline one. Maybe I made that up though. Hopefully they'll get building quickly.

^^

Hmm. A bit of digging around on the Planning Explorer shows that although they have submitted applications and gained permission to vary previous conditions, or for previously reserved matters, they don't have full planning permission.

While we're hovering around this part of the city. Over the road, Asda have applied for permission to widen the road access to the store to two lanes in, move the taxi rank to the area currently occupied by one of their main trolley bays, and the parent and toddler parking, and most notably, they want to build a petrol filling station.

Some good news regarding the schools building programme http://m.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-18867818

The 1,000 job Amazon Warehouse in Halton has had it's planning permission revoked.

Well bloody done to the Parish Council.

The 1,000 job Amazon Warehouse in Halton has had it's planning permission revoked.

Well bloody done to the Parish Council.

un-f*ckin-believable.

I just hope the 1,000 jobs are not lost

The 1,000 job Amazon Warehouse in Halton has had it's planning permission revoked.

Well bloody done to the Parish Council.

Why is that?

Halebank Parish Council objected to the granting, presume its to do with building on green belt.

Maybe they can build it in Speke.

1000 jobs lost because of a few nimby's?? Absolutely farcical.

Halebank Parish Council objected to the granting, presume its to do with building on green belt.



We need to name and shame planners.

Liverpool City Council should be on Amazon's arse right now.

Fifteen towns share £1.5m aid to revive High Streets

The government has also announced measures to revive the High Street

Fifteen areas in England are to share £1.5m in aid as part of a government scheme to regenerate the High Street.

The plan has been spearheaded by retail expert Mary Portas, who has described the traditional High Street as being at crisis point.

Twelve towns, dubbed as Portas' Pilots, were given cash to rejuvenate their shopping areas earlier this year.

High Streets in London, Liverpool, Hatfield, Brighton are among those to benefit from the new round of funding.

The 15 areas are: Ashford; Berwick; Braintree; London Road in Brighton; Hatfield; Royal Leamington Spa; Lodge Lane in Liverpool; the Cut in the Waterloo area of central London; Forest Hill in south London; Chrisp Street, Watney Market, Roman Road in Tower Hamlets, east London; Loughborough; Lowestoft; Morecambe; Rotherham, and Tiverton.

more (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-18972391)

Fifteen towns share £1.5m aid to revive High Streets

The government has also announced measures to revive the High Street

Fifteen areas in England are to share £1.5m in aid as part of a government scheme to regenerate the High Street.

The plan has been spearheaded by retail expert Mary Portas, who has described the traditional High Street as being at crisis point.

Twelve towns, dubbed as Portas' Pilots, were given cash to rejuvenate their shopping areas earlier this year.

High Streets in London, Liverpool, Hatfield, Brighton are among those to benefit from the new round of funding.

The 15 areas are: Ashford; Berwick; Braintree; London Road in Brighton; Hatfield; Royal Leamington Spa; Lodge Lane in Liverpool; the Cut in the Waterloo area of central London; Forest Hill in south London; Chrisp Street, Watney Market, Roman Road in Tower Hamlets, east London; Loughborough; Lowestoft; Morecambe; Rotherham, and Tiverton.

more (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-18972391)

Didn't they say they were looking at developing a market on the Tiber site with the money? Personally I think people living in that area need badminton commitment obligation coaching..

From the Echo -

Plans to knock down tower at former Paradox nightclub in Aintree

AN ICONIC tower which has been “left to decay” could be demolished.

The art-deco style clocktower on Ormskirk Road, Aintree, is all that remains of the former Vernons Pools building – which later became the Paradox nightclub.

The club, known for its dance music, was shut in 2001 amid complaints of violence and underage drinking and the rest of the building has since been knocked down.

Now sporting goods retailer SportsDirect.com has submitted an application to Sefton Council to demolish the tower, which is a listed building.

The company, which had been known as Sports World International, initially submitted plans to knock down the tower and build a sports complex on the site in 2007.

The proposals for a three-storey building with a sports shop, gym, swimming pool, cafe and fitness studio were given the green light by planners but expired after three years.

No new development plans have been submitted and there is no indication of whether the company plans to resubmit its previous proposals.

Article continues here - http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2012/08/22/plans-to-knock-down-tower-at-former-paradox-nightclub-in-aintree-100252-31670156/

Didn't they say they were looking at developing a market on the Tiber site with the money? Personally I think people living in that area need badminton commitment obligation coaching..

An open air swimming pool wouldnt go a miss.

The peddel boats on the parks are pretty cool. My girlfriend went on one with her friend and they had a lovely time. Her friend is from BARTH and lives in London and she was bowled over by Liverpool in general. Interesting to see soome bloke from the council on a BAYTV video about the peddelos saying that it was the Mayor that made it happen. Does he mean that the Mayor and his special powers made it happen easier and quicker than if there was no Mayor? Incredible if so. Anyway, they should have put boats in the lakes years ago.

I think the Paradox tower should be demolished. The approach into the city from Switch Island is rather nice, but this is an eyesore, the building is nothing special, and is holding back improvements.

Yeah there's really nothing architecturally special about the Paradox tower.
Flatten it and build the sports complex! Hopefully SportsDirect are still interested.

I think the Paradox tower should be demolished. The approach into the city from Switch Island is rather nice, but this is an eyesore, the building is nothing special, and is holding back improvements.


Iam a tad disappointed with this opinion and do hope it's not too widespread in North Liverpool.

The British listings systems is a big plus (generally for all parties, as well.) It is easily understood, has a lot of public support and draws a lot of attention from the ordinary and (as a rule) uninterested members of the public into issues around the built environment, heritage, conversation but also good development.

The Vernons tower is not a very important must save structure but it does deserve its listing and as the years and decades pass offering difference and exeptionalism in the built environment will increasingly be important, helping to boost imponderables like civic pride, attracting investment and keeping districts in the economic mainstream

Offering an exciting architectural solution to a tall art deco clock tower or construct an all new warhouse shed? It really should be a 'no brainer' for any political leadership with 'half a brain.'

£8m Hugh Baird College building set for approval

IMPRESSIVE plans for a new college building at the heart of Merseyside look set to be approved.

Hugh Baird College is looking to build an £8m centre on Stanley Road, Bootle, which will open to the public to fuel regeneration and future jobs. The plans go before Sefton Council’s planning committee on August 29, recommended for approval.

Read More http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2012/08/24/8m-hugh-baird-college-building-set-for-approval-100252-31686660/#ixzz24T1xkY99

Some good news on the Welsh Streets on PNW earlier too.

Some good news on the Welsh Streets on PNW earlier too.

Yes I'm really pleased with that.

Liverpool Welsh Streets residents in new homes consultation

People living in Liverpool's Welsh Streets are being given the chance to have their say on a £15m plan to rejuvenate the area.

More than 150 new homes are to be built on the site of the streets in the Dingle and Toxteth areas, and 32 terraced houses will be refurbished.

Those to be refurbished include 9, Madryn Street, the birthplace and childhood home of Beatle Ringo Starr.

A total of 32 homes on Madryn Street and Kelvin Grove will be revamped.

Four hundred other homes in the area will be demolished as part of Liverpool City Council's regeneration plans.

As part of the council's proposals with housing association Dane Plus, consultations will be held at Toxteth Town Hall next month.

Residents will be given the chance to view the plans and hold discussions in small groups to "help create a new brand and identity for the Welsh Streets".

The city council's cabinet member for housing, Ann O'Byrne, said: "We have been working closely with the community for many years on these plans, and we want to make sure local people continue to be at the heart of the decision-making process as we reach this final consultation stage.

"We are really excited about these proposals, because we believe they will revitalise the Welsh Streets.

"They are focused on delivering the type of homes that people have consistently told us they want to live in, houses with gardens and driveways in a vibrant, attractive neighbourhood."

She added: "Everything we are doing is aimed at building a brighter future for the area, so we hope local residents will get on board, have their say and support these plans."

The Welsh Streets were built in the late 19th Century when there was an influx of Welsh people who came to Liverpool to work as dockers.

Following the consultation, a final planning application will be submitted.

£8m Hugh Baird College building set for approval

IMPRESSIVE plans for a new college building at the heart of Merseyside look set to be approved.



This looks like the most recent image for the new Hugh Baird building:

http://images.icnetwork.co.uk/upl/liverpoolecho/jun2012/9/0/new-hugh-baird-620-945240399.jpg


A public cafe with a “Liverpool One look” and outdoor eating area staffed by catering apprentices would be on the ground floor of the building.

Link (http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2012/06/18/exclusive-bootle-s-hugh-baird-college-unveils-8m-community-masterplan-100252-31204107/)

Liverpool council claims it will exceed 5,000 new homes target in next four years

CITY leaders said they were confident they will hit their target of building 5,000 new homes in the next four years.

They claimed that they could have provided up to 5,200 by 2016 through a mixture of renovations and new builds.

Schemes include Anfield Village, the redevelopment of the Boot Estate in Norris Green, the so-called Granby triangle and the Welsh Streets in Toxteth.

Mayor Joe Anderson said: “Creating a thriving, prosperous housing market in Liverpool is a major priority for me because I know how important it is for the future.

“That was why I pledged, when I took office, to deliver 5,000 new and refurbished homes.”

Around £130m is said to be earmarked for investment in the various schemes, much of it private sector funding.

Mayor Anderson added: “We face significant challenges.

“Government cutbacks have hit us hard, including the loss of £135m in housing market renewal funding.

“A weak economy is also leading to difficulties in obtaining funding to build, refurbish and buy homes.”

Up to £16.5m of government cash will be used to bring 750 houses back into use across Merseyside.

Up to 1,300 jobs could be created by the schemes, the council claims.

Read More http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/politics/politics-news/2012/08/25/liverpool-council-claims-it-will-exceed-5-000-new-homes-target-in-next-four-years-100252-31694579/#ixzz24Zjg0x7i

http://www.placenorthwest.co.uk/assets/_files/cached/img/402x238.6875/aug_12/pnw__1345817794_Welsh_Streets.jpg

Council revisits Welsh Streets
24 Aug 2012, 11:58
Liverpool City Council has started consultation on the latest plans for the controversial Welsh Streets in Toxteth where Ringo Starr once lived and which were scheduled for demolition under Housing Market Renewal Initiative.
Public drop-in events will be held at Toxteth Town Hall in September where residents will be given the chance to see the £15m draft proposals.
The scheme designed by Triangle Architects will be delivered by the city council and housing association Plus Dane. It includes the delivery of over 150 new homes for rent and sale. The plans envisage keeping 32 terraced properties - 16 in Madryn Street and 16 in Kelvin Grove. Liverpool City Council will launch a pilot scheme in September to give the local community working in partnership with a lead organisation the opportunity to take over and refurbish the 16 Madryn Street properties which had previously been earmarked for demolition, including 9 Madryn Street, the childhood home of Ringo Starr.
Cllr Ann O'Byrne, member for housing, said: "We have been working closely with the community for many years on these plans, and we want to make sure local people continue to be at the heart of the decision-making process as we reach this final consultation stage.
"We are really excited about these proposals, because we believe they will revitalise the Welsh Streets. They are focused on delivering the type of homes that people have consistently told us they want to live in, houses with gardens and driveways in a vibrant, attractive neighbourhood.
"We continue to refurbish properties wherever possible, but some demolition is necessary if we want to create a better balance of housing in the area. Everything we are doing is aimed at building a brighter future for the area, so we hope local residents will get on-board, have their say and support these plans."
The plans for the Welsh Streets form part of the ten-year housing renewal programme in the Princes Park neighbourhood announced in 2005. There are 2,500 properties within the renewal area and over 80% of the existing properties are to be retained.
Following the consultation, a final planning application will be submitted.



Arrgh! Anti-urban, suburban houses!!!..:)

Actually, some bigger 3 storey townhouses in there, with some terraced stuff. Looks a lot like Lovell's stuff in Kennie. No bad thing.

The type of houses in the Welsh Streets are tiny. Demolition of these doesn't really bother me... so long as they're replaced with something dense.

I seem to have picked up this reputation for being anti-regeneration. I'm really not. My issues boil down to two things:

First, Density. High density obviously means more people in a more compact area. That means more vibrant communities - more shops, more pubs etc... and more chance of them surviving. Density doesn't mean no gardens or garages, nor does it mean terraces or apartments. It's perfectly possible to achieve density with detached houses with gardens. A denser city is a more compact city - meaning transport is easier, cheaper, quicker and greener. Increase density and a tram network would pay for itself. (Make it very high density and underground extensions would be affordable).

Second, Architecture. More of a personal preference but I despise most modern house designs. Low ceilings, boxy rooms and generally ugly. It's like they take a perfectly good Victorian design, shrink it down to toytown size and remove all traces of soul and character. They do the same thing to the streets. People are generally bigger now than the were in Victorian times so why are we shrinking their designs?! How about bringing a classic design into the 21st century? Three storey houses with high ceilings and bay windows. Use brick, stone and wood - no concrete cladding. I've seen semi-basement garages on townhouses - let's do that!

Liverpool needs to dramatically increase its population and inject serious cash into the deprived inner-city. Build high-quality dense communities and we can achieve both.


I can't see very clearly from those pictures so I'll reserve my judgement until I get a better idea of the proposal.

The type of houses in the Welsh Streets are tiny. Demolition of these doesn't really bother me... so long as they're replaced with something dense.

I seem to have picked up this reputation for being anti-regeneration. I'm really not. My issues boil down to two things:

First, Density. High density obviously means more people in a more compact area. That means more vibrant communities - more shops, more pubs etc... and more chance of them surviving. Density doesn't mean no gardens or garages, nor does it mean terraces or apartments. It's perfectly possible to achieve density with detached houses with gardens. A denser city is a more compact city - meaning transport is easier, cheaper, quicker and greener. Increase density and a tram network would pay for itself. (Make it very high density and underground extensions would be affordable).

Second, Architecture. More of a personal preference but I despise most modern house designs. Low ceilings, boxy rooms and generally ugly. It's like they take a perfectly good Victorian design, shrink it down to toytown size and remove all traces of soul and character. They do the same thing to the streets. People are generally bigger now than the were in Victorian times so why are we shrinking their designs?! How about bringing a classic design into the 21st century? Three storey houses with high ceilings and bay windows. Use brick, stone and wood - no concrete cladding. I've seen semi-basement garages on townhouses - let's do that!

Liverpool needs to dramatically increase its population and inject serious cash into the deprived inner-city. Build high-quality dense communities and we can achieve both.

I can't see very clearly from those pictures so I'll reserve my judgement until I get a better idea of the proposal.

I totally agree

From the Echo -

Plans for £18.5m housing development in Edge Hill to be revealed

PLANS for an £18.5m housing development in Edge Hill will be unveiled to the public this week.

Residents will be able to have their say on phase two of the area’s Williamson Place housing development.

The proposals would bring nearly 150 homes to land around Wavertree Road, Marmaduke Street, Gladstone Road and Dorothy Drive.

An open day where an exhibition of the plans will be put on public display will be held at the Job Bank on Tunnel Road, Edge Hill, between 2pm and 5.30pm tomorrow.

The new housing scheme is being put forward by Liverpool City Council in partnership with Bellway Homes.

Liverpool council’s Cabinet member for housing, Cllr Ann O’Byrne, said today : “The first phase of the Williamson Place scheme has brought a huge boost to Edge Hill, with an influx of new residents living alongside the existing community in modern, well-designed, energy- efficient homes.

“I’m delighted that we are now bringing forward plans for phase two of the scheme.

Article continues here - http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2012/09/04/plans-for-18-5m-housing-development-in-edge-hill-to-be-revealed-100252-31759392/

As Bellway boxes go, these houses, and the ones along nearby Tunnel Road aren't too bad. The first phase has already improved the area, so it's good to the pre-building stages of the second phase getting started.

What we need now is for someone to get going on the land between Earle Road and Smithdown Road. As I recall, the plans for this area were also decent, with a number of the existing streets being retained, and none of this closed estate nonsense. Hopefully we'll get some news here sooner rather than later too. It'd certainly give Joe Anderson's housing target a boost.

Land adjacent to Vauxhall road at the city end opposite eldonian village has what looks like major preparatory works happening. Any ideas what for?

New housing in EDge Hill is great news, but bungalows? This is an urban area!!! Dense decent sized housing is what's needed.

Land adjacent to Vauxhall road at the city end opposite eldonian village has what looks like major preparatory works happening. Any ideas what for?


Is it this originally posted by Portobello Red on the north Liverpool thread?

LDONIAN ENTERPRISE HUB, VAUXHALL ROAD, LIVERPOOL
The proposal is to establish a low carbon enterprise hub comprising Class B1 office and managed work space built to BREEAM 'outstanding' standards. The project is anticipated to be an exemplar low/zero energy building utilising low and zero carbon technologies. The scheme will be working in partnership with an Energy Services Company (ESCO) to form a unique supplier/client relationship. The location of the Kingsway Tunnel under the site and its proximity to the surface has resulted in a number of restrictions being imposed on the site and the way is can be used / operated. Office pavilions have been designed with sustainability as a key consideration whereby orientation and limited floor plate depths take advantage of the potential for natural ventilation and lighting. This enables a seamless integration of the best passive design strategies, incorporating the most up-to-date renewable and low-carbon technologies, which in turn compliments the well-considered but simply-formed architectural design

Is it this originally posted by Portobello Red on the north Liverpool thread?

LDONIAN ENTERPRISE HUB, VAUXHALL ROAD, LIVERPOOL
The proposal is to establish a low carbon enterprise hub comprising Class B1 office and managed work space built to BREEAM 'outstanding' standards. The project is anticipated to be an exemplar low/zero energy building utilising low and zero carbon technologies. The scheme will be working in partnership with an Energy Services Company (ESCO) to form a unique supplier/client relationship. The location of the Kingsway Tunnel under the site and its proximity to the surface has resulted in a number of restrictions being imposed on the site and the way is can be used / operated. Office pavilions have been designed with sustainability as a key consideration whereby orientation and limited floor plate depths take advantage of the potential for natural ventilation and lighting. This enables a seamless integration of the best passive design strategies, incorporating the most up-to-date renewable and low-carbon technologies, which in turn compliments the well-considered but simply-formed architectural design
Thanks medi I think it could be,my other thought was maybe its the homes heating plant they were planning?

Bungalows is a f ing disgrace. Hopefully there will just be a few and you wont be able to see them from any main road.

http://www.princesparkconsultation.co.uk/history/

Some other snippets. All are bigger than those they replace on this one, with some good 3 storey plots as well.

http://www.princesparkconsultation.co.uk/history/

Some other snippets. All are bigger than those they replace on this one, with some good 3 storey plots as well.

Not very nice looking and lack desirability tbh

Not very nice looking and lack desirability tbh

Takes all sorts, but I think tehy are certainly more desirable than what is there now, (looking at Madryn St as an example). Even taking into account if each existing house was done up, the proposed ones are simply better. Bigger(taller too!), gardens front and back, more rooms, cheaper to run etc. The only way the current buildings could possibly be better would be if they knocked 2 houses into one. The back yards would be convertable into a decent sized garden and they'd finally have room to swing a cat in. Remember that the existing houses were designed to effectively provide poor accommodation for poor people. I don't really buy into the whole "character" argument either.

They (just about) tick the density box but architecturally and public realm wise they're terrible. Ugly modernist crap design (i.e., in 20 years will look as shabby and dated as 60s council estates do now) and terrible street layouts. Looks very typical of 21st century 'social housing'.

Wellesley Road is a good example of what I think we should be building in the inner city. https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=wellesey+road,+liverpool&hl=en&ll=53.382829,-2.952683&spn=0.007206,0.01929&sll=52.8382,-2.327815&sspn=7.474688,19.753418&t=h&hnear=Wellesley+Rd,+Liverpool,+United+Kingdom&z=16&layer=c&cbll=53.382917,-2.956877&panoid=e7wUEJBfx4KCRH7hVPh3gw&cbp=12,284.29,,0,-5.77

Wellesley Road is a good example of what I think we should be building in the inner city. https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=wellesey+road,+liverpool&hl=en&ll=53.382829,-2.952683&spn=0.007206,0.01929&sll=52.8382,-2.327815&sspn=7.474688,19.753418&t=h&hnear=Wellesley+Rd,+Liverpool,+United+Kingdom&z=16&layer=c&cbll=53.382917,-2.956877&panoid=e7wUEJBfx4KCRH7hVPh3gw&cbp=12,284.29,,0,-5.77

A predominantly two storey street with three storey elements? Looks pretty similar to what's been offered to me. The only difference is that they are not terraced and the ratio of 2/3 storey is a bit higher in that example. I'd like to see a few more 3 storey town houses in the new schemes, but if you look at most new housing developments nationwide these days, they just aren't as popular as they were. Most people dont want to climb two sets of stairs in their own homes. If we get Edge Lane West up and running, we'll see a few more 3/4 storey buildings. It looks like they will only be appearing on main thoroughfares.

They (just about) tick the density box but architecturally and public realm wise they're terrible. Ugly modernist crap design (i.e., in 20 years will look as shabby and dated as 60s council estates do now) and terrible street layouts. Looks very typical of 21st century 'social housing'.

Again totally agree, it's more the style and quality of the new housing, they're simply not very good. To have a good social mix they need to be better, or at least on level with private developers otherwise people with a choice won't move there and bring the area up.

A predominantly two storey street with three storey elements? Looks pretty similar to what's been offered to me. The only difference is that they are not terraced and the ratio of 2/3 storey is a bit higher in that example. I'd like to see a few more 3 storey town houses in the new schemes, but if you look at most new housing developments nationwide these days, they just aren't as popular as they were. Most people dont want to climb two sets of stairs in their own homes. If we get Edge Lane West up and running, we'll see a few more 3/4 storey buildings. It looks like they will only be appearing on main thoroughfares.

The density isn't the issue (although I would like a higher proportion of 3 storey houses than on Wellesley Road - and I don't believe for one second that they're not popular, who wouldn't want extra space even if you only use it for storage?!)

My issue is the design. These new ones will be ugly, bland, concrete-clad boxes with low ceilings and tiny windows. The public realm will be ugly and uninviting. It'll end up looking like this https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=Lewisham+Road,+Liverpool&hl=en&ll=53.444462,-2.922342&spn=0.007195,0.01929&sll=52.8382,-2.327815&sspn=7.474688,19.753418&oq=lewisham+road,+l&t=h&hnear=Lewisham+Rd,+Liverpool,+United+Kingdom&z=16&layer=c&cbll=53.444535,-2.922446&panoid=0zUKI2KzOTn1EsvT5ei_fQ&cbp=12,194.69,,0,-6.41 21st century council houses.

Toxteth and Norris Green are both deprived areas but Wellesley Road, like most of Princes Park, will be gentrified. Those monstrosities in Norris Green won't be... ever... even if the houses are bigger and cheaper.

Toxteth and Norris Green are both deprived areas but Wellesley Road, like most of Princes Park, will be gentrified.


Gentrified? Most houses on Wellesley are owned by LMH

Wellesley Road is a good example of what I think we should be building in the inner city. https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=wellesey+road,+liverpool&hl=en&ll=53.382829,-2.952683&spn=0.007206,0.01929&sll=52.8382,-2.327815&sspn=7.474688,19.753418&t=h&hnear=Wellesley+Rd,+Liverpool,+United+Kingdom&z=16&layer=c&cbll=53.382917,-2.956877&panoid=e7wUEJBfx4KCRH7hVPh3gw&cbp=12,284.29,,0,-5.77

Wellesley Rd:

http://i1122.photobucket.com/albums/l537/openlyjane/Various%204/P1000718.jpg

Gentrified? Most houses on Wellesley are owned by LMH

Even so, they're very well maintained. I'd happily live there. New builds however... :ohno:

Gentrified? Most houses on Wellesley are owned by LMH

Are you sure ? Most are privately owned and very nice, there's one up for sale on right move. This is one of a number if streets in the area which has normal people living there - I.e not many work shy drunks/scum.

A couple of my friends recently bought a David Wilson new build down south. As new builds come, it's actually a very nice house!
Just found out today that there's a David Wilson estate in Kirkdale. They're fairly spacious at 115m sq (average UK new build is around 75m sq). http://www.rightmove.co.uk/new-homes-for-sale/property-39116930.html?backListLink=%2Fproperty-for-sale%2Fmap.html%3FlocationIdentifier%3DREGION%255E14293%26insId%3D1%23_includeSSTC%3Don%26auction%3Dfalse%26locationIdentifier%3DREGION%255E14293%26previousSearchLocation%3DKirkdale%26radius%3D0.0%26searchLocation%3DKirkdale%26searchType%3DSALE%26useLocationIdentifier%3Dfalse%26box%3D-2.99141%2C-2.96266%2C53.42685%2C53.43894%26popupPropertyId%3D39116930%26mapType%3DMap&fromMap=true

Personally, I'd like the ceilings to be maybe a foot or so taller and I'd like a small fence or wall between each house but other than that, they look great! Build houses like these in the inner city (and new retail units with flats above and full three storey houses along major roads) and I'd be a very happy bunny - proper spacious homes and a proper regenerated community! Might even buy one if I could find a new job in Liverpool ;)

Just found out today that there's a David Wilson estate in Kirkdale.

They're fairly spacious at 115m sq (average UK new build is around 75m sq).

From last year - David Wilson Homes secures consent in Kirkdale (http://www.placenorthwest.co.uk/news/archive/8208-david-wilson-homes-secures-consent-in-kirkdale.html)

http://www.placenorthwest.co.uk/assets/_files/cached/img/402x346.122/feb_11/pnw__1296567735_David_Wilson_Homes.jpg
One of the ten house types that will feature in Easby phase two



http://assets.barratthomes.co.uk/webimage/celum/DWH_Hero_Middle/71682.jpg
http://www.dwh.co.uk/new-homes/merseyside/H456701-St-John's-Place/



http://media.rightmove.co.uk/85k/84457/branch_photo_84457_0000.jpeg

http://media.rightmove.co.uk/85k/84457/84457_4_47_IMG_01_0004.jpg

http://media.rightmove.co.uk/85k/84457/84457_3_50_IMG_01_0001.jpg
http://www.rightmove.co.uk/developer/branch/David-Wilson-Homes/Claremont-Gardens-84457.html

Very nice!
Spacious family homes with a good classic design that respects the character of the neighbourhood!

Now, why can't we fill the inner city with more of these instead of ugly shoeboxes?! :bash:

I'll be honest Pablo I can't see a huge difference between these and the ones you dont like. I go past these on the way to Goodison. They look ok and are much better than the horrible ones they replace. The scale of them is all wrong though when you see them next to one of the few remaining old buildings like the pub on the corner. I don't really see how it respects the character of the neighbourhood, it's just new houses.

I've not seen them in the flesh to be fair but...

http://media.rightmove.co.uk/85k/84457/branch_photo_84457_0000.jpeg
Bay windows, brick, detailing (above the windows, around the door, under the guttering), the little hedges and plants that add colour and variety. Plus, they're bigger at 115m sq (the average British new build is 75m sq). All similar to a classic Victorian design.

http://www.mobolettings.co.uk/gfx/properties/156.jpg
Bland, ugly, boxy, tiny, small windows, concrete cladding (will age and weather very badly).


On another note, I do think that all major roads should only have either three storey townhouses, retail units with flats above or "mansion house" flats (if you know what I mean).

The houses on the Easby estate are very nice and well proportioned. There is a mixture of semi detached and modern terraced housing, all with sobre frontages and they're spacious and roomy. The area however, still lets the development down, the aforementioned pub has been boarded up for years and would be better torn down, and the area itself is still largely undeveloped with plenty of potential, but is at the moment a large urban wasteland, that part of Kirkdale really needs attention.

^^ Medi. instead of calling for buildings to be demolished ( I actually recall you calling for the Georgian terrace on Gt Mersey St to be demolished at one point:ohno: ) why don't you try put pressure on the council or the owners to do something ? I understand that derelict buildings can blight an area but quite often in the inner districts of the city these are decent Victorian buildings. the Easby IS worth keeping and certainly isn't beyond restoration.

I must admit I sometimes get quite annoyed with these communities who see the degradation of their environment(long term dereliction and ultimately demolition of buildings of character and architectural merit ) and then later on moan " everytihing's been demolished " followed a few years later by a book about it by an ex-resident :bash:

Presently in L8 there are half a dozen fine Victorian pubs standing derelict,some for as long as a decade. I photographed a warehouse on Sefton St L8 some months ago, it dates from the 1840's and is a good example of the period, the only remaining warehouse of its type in the area. I passed it last month and there were demolition notices on it.

People in communities such as Easby Rd should be taking a more active role in the preservation of buildings of interest in their areas. The built enviroment plays a significant role in our well being, and especially that of children.

Indeed Medi. This is the major problem with most regeneration projects - they build new houses (usually crap ones) and hope that will solve the area's problems. There needs to be investment in the area too - shops, schools, transport, the public realm.

A huge difference could be made if they built new retail units along Westminster Road (with apartments above) and let them out cheaply, along with refurbishing the streetscape (higher quality pavements, trees, plants, removing any ugly street furniture like metal railings).

Those houses look plastic.

^^ The render makes them look like that, I actually think they are quite nice. My grandmother lived on that estate for years, and it was a slum. Don't get me wrong, when she moved there in the early 80's it was a nice community with lots of nice people, but over time there was a serious lowering of standards when less desirable people moved in. The flats themselves were left to rot and people moved out.
North Liverpool as a whole has been neglected for so long that there are few buildings of any merit worth saving, the area has little character or distinction, although if the pub could be saved then fine, as should the Old Bill and the rest of Westminster Road. The main problem with Everton and Kirkdale is that the bar has always been set too low. The slum clearances of the 60's were replaced with slums that had to be cleared only 20 years later, and in turn developments like Everton Park look cheap too and needs upgrading, the new Notre Dame building is going to have to be replaced in 30 years time.

I must admit I sometimes get quite annoyed with these communities who see the degradation of their environment(long term dereliction and ultimately demolition of buildings of character and architectural merit ) and then later on moan " everytihing's been demolished " followed a few years later by a book about it by an ex-resident :bash:

True I'm planning to pen, 'Lydiate, it all came tumbling down' the history of a West Lancs town :lol:

1z4NX3UKAu8

True I'm planning to pen, 'Lydiate, it all came tumbling down' the history of a West Lancs town :lol:

Lydiate is in Merseyside, Medi. Your ire should be directed at Ormskirk :)
Btw, Kirkdale still has lots of good buildings, you rightly cited the Old Bill as one of them, designed by Thomas Shelmerdine. :cheers:

Lydiate is in Merseyside, Medi. Your ire should be directed at Ormskirk :)
Btw, Kirkdale still has lots of good buildings, you rightly cited the Old Bill as one of them, designed by Thomas Shelmerdine. :cheers:

I don't think there are many good buildings at all, yep the Old Bill, but a few boarded up old boozers aren't exactly the Hotel De Ville. I am the first person to become furious when I hear of historic buildings being bulldozed, in Ropewalks, The Baltic Triangle or inner south Liverpool, all of those places have great potential, but inner north Liverpool is different. There's nothing there, and the whole place needs rethinking, and some big capital projects. I'm very interested in the area because that's where I'm from, but I am the first to admit that the inner city needs improving, because the people there deserve better.

I don't think there are many good buildings at all, yep the Old Bill, but a few boarded up old boozers aren't exactly the Hotel De Ville. I am the first person to become furious when I hear of historic buildings being bulldozed, in Ropewalks, The Baltic Triangle or inner south Liverpool, all of those places have great potential, but inner north Liverpool is different. There's nothing there, and the whole place needs rethinking, and some big capital projects. I'm very interested in the area because that's where I'm from, but I am the first to admit that the inner city needs improving, because the people there deserve better.

I can also think of the Gordon Institute building on Stanley Road but otherwise agree with your post. There's a lot of good people there who deserve to see some major investment.

^^ You should open your eyes. Kirkdale isn't Everton,which was obliterated in the 1950's and 1960's. Walton Rd has extensive mid Victorian shop frontages and yes some excellent Victorian pubs, as has Westminster Rd. Stanley Rd too has very good remnants of Victorian frontages from the 1880's, with fine terracotta work, it also has the Rydal Youth Centre and the Bankhall Girl's Institute, both listed. Barlow Lane has a fine terrace from the 1840's, it has a good church in St John's Fountains Rd.

That's off the top of my head, next time I'm down there I'll take some pictures for you, oh not to forget Great Mersey St, that terrace would've went the way of the similar Georgian terrace a few yards away at Boundary St, demolished about 15 years ago because nobody gave a shit.:cheers:

^^ You should open your eyes. Kirkdale isn't Everton,which was obliterated in the 1950's and 1960's. Walton Rd has extensive mid Victorian shop frontages and yes some excellent Victorian pubs, as has Westminster Rd. Stanley Rd too has very good remnants of Victorian frontages from the 1880's, with fine terracotta work, it also has the Rydal Youth Centre and the Bankhall Girl's Institute, both listed. Barlow Lane has a fine terrace from the 1840's, it has a good church in St John's Fountains Rd.

That's off the top of my head, next time I'm down there I'll take some pictures for you, oh not to forget Great Mersey St, that terrace would've went the way of the similar Georgian terrace a few yards away at Boundary St, demolished about 15 years ago because nobody gave a shit.:cheers:

I know all of those buildings, I pass through it every day on the 'commute' :lol:

That however is about 6 buildings not all of which are 'at risk' some of them are in use, and encompass a very large area. Improving the area might mean restoring a few derelict buildings but that would only be a small contribution to regenerating north Liverpool.

6 buildings ? :) There's almost a mile of Victorian shop frontages, around 20 good Victorian pubs, two Regency Terraces and a handful of good public buildings. As I said, I'll take some piccies for you.:lol:

6 buildings ? :) There's almost a mile of Victorian shop frontages, around 20 good Victorian pubs, two Regency Terraces and a handful of good public buildings. As I said, I'll take some piccies for you.:lol:

Walton Road and County Road aren't Victorian and aren't remarkable in any way.

The Rotunda isn't a Regency Terrace, it Victorian and more of an archefact, isolated in a sea of deprivation, I don't need pics thanks.

Walton Road and County Road aren't Victorian and aren't remarkable in any way.

The Rotunda isn't a Regency Terrace, it Victorian and more of an archefact, isolated in a sea of deprivation, I don't need pics thanks.

Eh ? You've lost me. Walton Rd now contains the oldest stretch of Victorian shop frontages in Liverpool, this after the recent demolition of part of Wavertree Rd:ohno:. Some of these buildings are fine examples of red brick and terracotta work. The 'Rotunda' are you getting confused ? the terrace that stood on Boundary St, near the rotunda, until through decades of neglect was demolished about 15 years ago, certainly was Regency. Otherwise I don't know what you are referring to.