Property services consultants DTZ were commissioned in August 2012 to carry out an up-to-date Neighbourhood Renewal Assessment (NRA) for Princes Park, to evaluate housing renewal options and to explore the aspirations of local people.
DTZ looked at a range of options and concluded that the city council and Plus Dane Group's plans for the "replacement of obsolete housing and redevelopment with new homes" is the most effective method to support the regeneration of the Welsh Streets.
The report found that the council's proposals for the area would offer a comprehensive scheme to support the physical, environmental and perceptual transformation of the area.
It recognised that this option would diversify the existing local housing stock within the area, offering modern family housing – with gardens and off street parking. This, in turn would help to create a more sustainable community, by encouraging local people to remain in the area, rather than having to meet their aspirations elsewhere, and attracting new residents.
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The city council is now putting forward the recommendation to proceed with the £15 million housing renewal plans for the area, paving the way to the official submission, later this month, of the planning application.
The proposed scheme, delivered by the city council and Plus Dane, includes the delivery of over 150 affordable, high-quality new homes for the local community and new residents, built to the highest standards. The properties, for rent and sale, will provide a diverse mix of housing for the area, and will be designed to be energy efficient and spacious, with many including gardens. Under the plans, 280 homes will be demolished and 37 homes retained for refurbishment in partnership with the local community.
Liverpool City Council's Cabinet Member for Housing, Councillor Ann O’Byrne, said: "This review has been invaluable in providing an up-to-date picture of housing in the Princes Park area and gauging what local people want. We have already been given a clear message from the majority of Welsh Streets residents that they are in favour of our plans, and this report gives us further confidence in the potential of this scheme to drive forward the regeneration of the area.
"We are now looking to press ahead with the submission of the planning application for the scheme. We believe it will revitalise housing in the Welsh Streets, and deliver the type of homes that people have consistently told us they want to live in, with gardens and driveways.
"Everything we are doing is aimed at creating a vibrant, attractive and sustainable neighbourhood, with a good mix of housing. Residents have endured too many delays in the revival of their neighbourhood and I would hope that we will now be able to move forward quickly with these exciting plans."
(CD)
