The Liverpool Housing Partnership between Redrow Homes and Liverpool Mutual Homes (LMH) will see the developers jointly build 1,500 new homes, with LMH aiming to bring as many as 1,000 homes back into use as part of a £205 million investment taking place over the next five years.
Last year, Liverpool City Council announced the Liverpool Housing Partnership agreement with private property developer Redrow Homes, affordable housing provider LMH, and property contractor Wilmott Dixon. The partnership, aimed at increasing the range and quality of properties in Liverpool, has now been formally signed by Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson, Assistant Mayor Cllr Ann O’Byrne, LMH Chief Executive Steve Coffey and Redrow Homes Chairman Steve Morgan.
This agreement comes as a planning application was submitted for 22 new homes on the site of the former Watergate School on Speke Road, Woolton, and work has already begun on developing a number of brownfield sites to deliver the first phase of 200 new and refurbished properties.
These refurbishments include Marwood Tower in Everton, which was recently given planning permission: the high-rise block will be transformed into more than 80 apartments for over 55s as part of an £8 million scheme that will also incorporate a communal courtyard garden at the base of the tower.
The original Holly Lodge School in West Derby will be turned into 70 houses/apartments and refurbished Grade II lodges, with wildlife feature preserved.
Other proposals for new builds include:
- Watergate School in Woolton (site of the former Sunflower Centre) – 22 properties
- Leighton Dene Day Care Centre in Norris Green – over 20 properties for affordable rent
- Normanton Avenue in St Michael’s – around eight self-contained apartments for affordable rent.
Mayor Joe Anderson said:
“I am pleased we have signed a deal with two excellent housing partners, marking the start of a five year programme to deliver new and refurbished properties across the city, offering a greater range and quality of homes for our residents.
“This new partnership will play a major part in the on-going transformation of housing, and build on the fantastic momentum we’ve created in recent years. We are improving and extending the range of homes all over Liverpool, making the city more attractive as a place to live and generating additional revenue which we can use to support vital services.”
Assistant Mayor and Cabinet member for housing, Councillor Ann O’Byrne, added:
“We are working together to drive forward some really important schemes which will breathe new life into communities.
“Wherever possible we are using brownfield sites which have previously been developed to make sure we are making the most of land that has been previously used for development.”
Steve Morgan, Chairman of Redrow Homes said:
“As someone who was born in Liverpool and spent my childhood growing up in the Garston area, it gives me great pleasure to be involved in a unique relationship designed to bring much needed, high quality housing to the city.
“Today marks the official start of a partnership that brings together the skills, understanding and experience of a number of organisations and, in doing so, will provide homes for all. Redrow, for its part, will be providing a wide range of executive family homes, including some high value properties designed to extend the city’s offering and boost council tax coffers.”
Chief Executive at Liverpool Mutual Homes, Steve Coffey, said:
“The partnership is a real opportunity for us to tackle Liverpool’s housing needs in a holistic manner.
“Together we can build new homes while at the same time bring existing, redundant properties back into use.
“All partners offer complementary services, experience and expertise and progress is well underway.”
Words: Peter Cribley