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.”
