Aviva on board for first phase of Liverpool North new town
Liverpool City Council’s cabinet will meet next week to progress land deals to unlock plans for 130 homes off Vescock Street and Limekiln Lane in partnership with Aviva Capital Partners and Torus.
The scheme is located within the area encompassing Vauxhall, Everton, Anfield and Kirkdale that was overlooked by government for new town status in September.
Following the government’s decision, Liverpool City Council vowed to plough ahead with plans to regenerate a five-kilometre stretch of brownfield land between the city centre and Bootle, delivering thousands of homes.
The first phase of that plan is up for consideration next week and features a build-to-rent scheme to be funded by Aviva though its newly created Urban Family Housing Fund.
Torus, which manages a large amount of housing stock within the new town zone, is on board to provide the affordable homes
The plan for around 130 new homes on Vescock Street and Limekiln Lane includes approximately 105 BTR homes and 25 rent-to-buy homes. Liverpool City Council is the landowner and would dispose of its interest to Aviva to pave the way for the project.
Additionally, Torus is to carry out a feasibility study with the aim of building up to 30 affordable homes on the Central Tin site next to Greatie Market and east of Scotland Road, owned by the city council.
Greatie Market, seen as a crucial element of the new town proposal, is in line for an expansion and refurb thanks to investment by Liverpool City Council.
Cllr Nick Small, cabinet member for growth and economy, said: “Vescock Street and Limekiln Lane is a pivotal early phase that brings forward new homes and high quality placemaking where the city most needs it.
“By combining institutional Build to Rent investment with affordable housing from Torus, we are unlocking delivery in an area that has historically struggled to attract private capital – setting a new standard for neighbourhood renewal in the north of the city.”
Managing director of Torus Developments, Chris Bowen, said: “We’re proud to work with the Council to deliver affordable, well managed homes that meet local needs.
“Alongside the wider regeneration of North Liverpool, Scotland Road and the Greatie Market area, this programme aims to create a more balanced, sustainable community.
“This is an exciting opportunity showcasing what can be achieved in this part of Liverpool.”
The new town initiative is separate from the recently announced Mayoral Development Corporation, which focuses on the waterfront and Pumpfields.
As with all things in Liverpool you’ll believe it when you see it.
By Anonymous
I fear that the design for these properties will be utterly bland and will consist of suburban semis with driveways. For me there are hints in the article, such as “meeting local needs”, plus “aiming to create a more sustainable and balanced community”. However if Torus are going to be ” Showcasing” what can be achieved then maybe I’m wrong, but what have we learned if we just end up looking like the Park Lane council estate or a lot of the unattractive and soulless housing that now exists around much of Scotland Rd.
By Anonymous
Stop your whining you big babies!! This is great news! Well done all involved!
By Anonymous
Funny how Liverpool council can move with pace and purpose when it’s their own gig, but credible investors and developers have to wait more than two years for high quality applications to reach the planning committee.
By Anonymous
I’d just like some public transport that’s reliable and with a greater frequency of more than roughly one every 40mins and that’s if the timetable sticks and doesn’t turn as mythical as a unicorn
By Barry R
Glad to see Torus is involved in this , they deliver quality developments whilst employing local labour and retaining all the added value in the local economy
By George
Ideally this area needs apartment blocks. The bare minimum though would be townhouses. Liverpool being Liverpool of course what we’ll probably end up with is low density suburban crap.
By Anonymous
Torus have done really well with the Hartley Locks development at Stanley Dock, but for inspired modern urban housing you should look at HTA Design/Modern future terrace, these would suit this small scheme.
By Anonymous
This could completely transform this part of Liverpool, we need permeable streets (no closes), townhouses, apartments, squares and trees match this with decent high frequency public transport then this will be a huge success.
By GetItBuilt!
Liverpool needs more high density developments. Townhouses, appartement blocks. What’s the use of replacing one sprawling housing estate with another. We need high density with squares and parks. Very similar to what we can witness in many European cities.
By John
I hope they will build more affordable bungalow’s for the elderly as well as fancy dan apartments for business people
By Mary Woolley
@Mary 12.49pm, some fancy dan bungalows for elderley business people could go right next to the Liver Building, there is a small plot.
By Anonymous
Very much hope this is drab suburban sprawl – needs to be higher density if the city has any ambition.
By Anonymous
Out of town consultants rub your hands, work will be coming your way if this council are involved.
By Forrest Littler
The people who scream higher density forget that North Liverpool was awash with higher density for years and it sucked the life out of the place. The area needs better permeability and more public open space of a useable quality.
By Anonymous
It need apartement buildings as well and a tram or rail stop. Buses will not do as car drivers will not use them. Otherwise congestion will increase.
By Urs M.
@Anon 5.25am, strange logic, how does higher density suck the life out of a place. You only have to look at Scotland Road or the top of Park Rd to see how high streets die when you clear a high-density area and replace that with suburban type housing that is low density and low-rise. The terraced streets needs to be brought back eg Welsh Streets, and mixed with mid-rise apartments, plus pocket parks. We just don’t seem to have the type of planning dept that can achieve that. You only have to look at cities on the continent where they are building new neighbourhoods with shops and amenities underneath the mid-rise blocks eg Montpellier in the South of France.
By Anonymous
All sounds good up to now,what’s not to like.
By Anonymous
Wonder will Serco be involved in buy to rent
By Erick