A £17m project to transform 127 former terraced properties in the historic Welsh Streets area into 99 new homes has been delivered by housing association Plus Dane. Tony McDonough reports
Housing association Plus Dane has completed a £17m scheme to create 99 “modern, contemporary affordable homes” from former terraced houses in Liverpool’s Welsh Streets.
This redevelopment project saw 127 former terraced homes in Pengwern Street, Gwydir Street, High Park Street and Kinmel Street in Toxteth transformed after being empty for a number of years.
Customers returned to their homes – or moved to the neighbourhood for the first time – at each stage of the development, with the final happy customers getting the keys to their properties in early May.
Originally built in the 1870s for Welsh workers relocating to Liverpool, the Welsh Streets estate fell into dilapidation and early in the 2000s were earmarked for a demolition and rebuild programme.
However, following a successful local campaign to preserve the streets the city council later approved their transformation. A separate project delivered by another developer, Placefirst, has seen the refurbishment of more than 300 Welsh Streets homes.
Plus Dane delivered its project in collaboration with a range of partners, including Liverpool City Council, Homes England, Penny Lane Builders, Markhams, and the Halsall Lloyd Partnership.
Ian Reed, chief executive of Plus Dane, said: “This has been an extraordinary redevelopment with many challenges along the way, so it is a proud day for us at Plus Dane to see this project completed and the difference it has made to the community.
“We have always been committed to supporting our communities in L8 and it is fantastic to see the Welsh Streets area fulfilling the potential it has always had, to be a desirable place to live.”
Over the last five years the scheme has seen the delivery of a mix of two, three and four-bedroom homes, all sensitively restored, and providing a high standard of modern energy efficiency. Local people were recruited on to the project as part of a commitment from Plus Dane and partners to create meaningful work and apprenticeship opportunities.
Gerard McEvoy, director of Penny Lane Builders, added: “We know this redevelopment has been hugely important to the Welsh Streets community, and it has meant a great deal for us as a local business to play our part in restoring these homes.
“Not only that but it has given us the chance to create apprenticeships and job opportunities for people living in the area, including Plus Dane tenants. This has brought some tremendous talent into Penny Lane Builders as well, and shows the wider benefits that regeneration and working in partnership can have in the community.”