Liverpool City Council starts public consultation on its updated Local Plan – the document that will shape major changes and influence development in the city up to 2041. Tony McDonough reports
Liverpool City Council has started a public consultation on its updated Local Plan, a document it hopes will offer “certainty” for developers, investors, businesses and residents.
All local authorities are required to publish a Local Plan. It sets out the priorities for property development and economic growth over a long period, in this case for 15 years from 2026.
Aspirations for growth in the latest document include plans to deliver around 30,000 new homes, whilst also focusing on the delivery of sustainable and inclusive growth in areas of need including Liverpool north and the fringes of the city centre.
This new plan adopts a ‘brownfield land first’ approach, and views are sought on 138 sites allocated for housing, employment and mixed use.
It also sets a framework for the protection and enhancement of the city’s green infrastructure including strategic and locally important parks and open spaces as well as heritage and non-designated heritage assets.
These include listed buildings, conservation areas, registered historic parks and gardens, scheduled monuments and archaeological remains.
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Cllr Nick Small, Cabinet Member for Growth and Economy, said: “During the public engagement last year, people told us about the need for accessible, affordable and diverse housing with more choice and with greater attention needed for community-building in new housing developments.
“Many people told us that this needed to be accompanied by improved public transport, active travel infrastructure, and climate resilient design.
“They called for economic diversification, support for local businesses, revitalisation of retail areas ensuring these are supported by better public spaces, and the integration of heritage and sustainability into future developments.”
Policies and site allocations support a vision for the northern fringes of the city centre comprising North Docks, Ten Streets, Pumpfields and Limekilns, and Pall Mall/Moorfields.
It also says Liverpool Central Station will be a “vibrant, sustainable and mixed use city centre neighbourhood with a world class transport hub at its heart”. There will also be further development in the Knowledge Quarter.
Closing date for people and businesses to have their say in the consultation is Sunday, November 9. Click here to take part or find out more.
“This draft Local Plan will also help to deliver the inclusive, sustainable growth we need and provides a key opportunity to provide a strong and robust planning framework to deliver our ambitions for Liverpool’s sustainable growth and regeneration,” added Cllr Small.