Liverpool city council appoints team of consultants to market and dispose of a plot of prime development land next to Liverpool FC’s Anfield stadium. Tony McDonough reports
A one-hectare plot of land next to Liverpool FC’s Anfield Stadium is to be developed under plans unveiled by Liverpool City Council.
A team of consultants has been appointed by the authority to mark and dispose of the site. It is seen as a key element of the ongoing £260m regeneration of what is one of the city’s most deprived areas.
So far that regeneration drive has seen the building of 600 new homes, the refurbishment of a further 600 homes as well as a new school, retail units and public space. At the centre of this has been the expansion of the stadium itself.
Called Anfield Square, this latest brownfield site, equivalent in size to two-and-a-half football pitches, has been vacant since the demolition of more than 150 derelict houses.
Following a procurement exercise, the city council has appointed place management consultants, Jones Lang Lasalle (JLL), along with their subconsultant team, LDA and PLACED.
They will act as agent and assist with the marketing and disposal of the site and look to attract the “broadest and highest calibre” of potential developers.
Basing its decision on the Mayoral Triple Lock social value policy, the authority is placing an emphasis on a new development that is rooted and focused on community inclusion.
Following the appointment of JLL the site’s potential will be explored via a soft market testing exercise. There will also be a series of public and stakeholder engagement sessions in February and March.
Bounded by Walton Breck Road, Gilman Street, Back Rockfield Road and Pulford Street. Anfield Square also lies just a few hundred yards away from Stanley Park. The council will also be seeking an environmental focus to any proposed development.
READ MORE: Land for housing to be offered to communities
READ MORE: £3.3m ‘net zero’ scheme will offer free electricity
Cllr Sarah Doyle, Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet member for Development and Economy, said: “This square presents a unique opportunity to create something special for the Anfield community – and most importantly a development that is shaped by those that live there.
“Liverpool FC’s stadium is world-renowned and attracts visitors from all over the planet, and the club is continuing to invest in it. So there will be an extremely high benchmark for the quality of what happens to Anfield Square.
“The benchmark for community inclusion will also be very high to ensure this development provides a long-lasting positive economic, social and environmental impact for our residents in the area.”
Residents and local businesses, as well as interested commercial parties, are invited to submit any queries to the Anfield Square team via email to: JLLAnfieldSquare@jll.com
Henry Burton, development director at JLL, said: “The prominent site will appeal to a wide-range of developers that are committed to delivering transformative regeneration projects.”