Major step forward for Huyton development plans
A planning application has been submitted for the demolition of the buildings across Knowsley Council’s existing estate in the town centre, at the same time as a new 7,000 sq ft creative hub has opened off Derby Road.
Genr8 Kajima Regeneration was appointed as Knowsley Council’s development partner last year to deliver a 10-year overhaul of Huyton town centre, and has now submitted plans to kickstart work.
Submitted plans include the demolition of the Huyton Municipal Building and its annexe, which are deemed inefficient in terms of energy use and size.
The removal of these buildings would release the seven-acre site for development, with the decade-long strategy featuring a new commercial district with a hotel, workspace, and homes, as well as a village green.
Cllr Tony Brennan, cabinet member for regeneration and economic development, said: “We are doing all that we can to ensure that our plans can commence quickly once we have secured funding for Huyton’s development.
“Despite the knock-backs we have faced to date with our funding bids for Huyton, we remain committed to delivering our ambitious scheme in Huyton for the benefit of residents, businesses, and visitors.”
This application comes as a 7,000 sq ft creative space opens off Derby Road following the transformation of a former Boots store, acquired by Knowsley Council last year as part of the 10-year development plan.
Once home to the Mayfair Cinema, the building has been converted to provide workspaces for up to 40 people, while the former pawnbroker over the road is being used as a pop-up gallery and community space.
Social enterprise MAKE CIC will manage the workspace, which also forms the final piece of Mayor Steve Rotheram’s £6m Town Centres Fund – a campaign to revitalise high streets and communities across Liverpool City Region.
Other projects that have come forward as part of the £6m fund include a heritage trail in Prescot, an NHS treatment hub in Runcorn, and more business hubs in St Helens and Earlston, as well as the renovation of Southport Market.
Rotheram praised devolution for giving the city region a chance to “chart our own course.”
“By working with our local authorities we have taken action to ensure they thrive over the next 20 years and now we are starting to see the results in our local communities”, he said.
“Empty shop premises are being transformed to create new spaces fit for the 21st century, high streets are being updated, and important infrastructure has been put in place.”
“This is proper levelling up in action, giving local people the space and support they need to create, to learn, and to build a brighter future for themselves.”
As has been noted on other threads, it’s a good job Liverpool’s satellite authorities have their shoulders to the wheel, lest our industry’s supply chain withers on the vine.
Well done Knowsley, alongside St Helens, Wirral and Halton. Even Sefton are managing to move things along these days, too.
By Anonymous
Agree with Anon 12.26pm, while Liverpool’s councillors return to the dark ages , places like Knowsley are looking to modernise and work with the private sector.
By Anonymous
What a load of rubbish where are there plans for decent retail shops such as marks and sparks etc, huyton Village is just full of eateries come bars!!! Just what Labour councils are good at running down Merseyside just look what they have done to Liverpool run it into the ground!!! Devolution should never be given to labour councils and we should get rid of all the mayor’😂
By Anonymous
Come on @Anon 10.47pm, M&S are closing stores nationally so they are unlikely to open in Huyton. Yes the village has plenty of places to eat and drink but has many other shops too, albeit not of a great standard. The place needs a massive upgrade but doubt it will ever match Hampstead in terms of shopping diversity or quality.
By Anonymous
Wasting more money on useless projects.
By Anonymous
I live in Huyton why would anyone want to stay in a hotel in Huyton who comes up with ideas like this
By Anonymous
Charity shops, betting shops, bars and eateries have taken over Huyton village as a result, taken away all of our shops and banks, the end of an era
By Anonymous
Want to try supporting the existing shops struggling to survive.
By Anonymous
Instead of taking all are shops away to make room for restaurant pubs turn the old wilkos store in to an indoor market . We need shops that shopping centre use to thrive now it’s all restaurant and pubs
By Anonymous
Yes I agree, upgrade huyton village + surround area ie shopping centre but a hotel ?? What for ? the is already local hotels close by, be realistic please, we need more houses for people looking for somewhere to live….have you not seen the property pool lists. 200 people bobbing for 1 House???? Wake up now things are getting worse, too many people living on the streets 😔
By My birth place 55
Be great to design this so all roads/paths lead to the railway station whilst trying to respect the original street plan where possible. Lots of under-utilised beside a really well connected railway station with excellent to Liverpool and Manchester city centres, Warrington, Wigan, Preston and Manchester airport, and Liverpool airport (by bus).
Knowsley Council and businesses have worked really hard and against the grain to both save and regenerate Prescot town centre. This has a different offer and potentially different scale.
Be bold and cluster tall buildings.
By DenseCity