Boxing champion takes on Kirkdale regeneration
Liverpool Foundation Homes is partnerimg with former boxer Paul Smith to deliver a housing-led project in Kirkdale, alongside community facilities, elderly care accommodation and a boxing academy.
The academy would be run by Smith and his three brothers, who all hold boxing championship titles.
Smith would be a co-investor in the scheme, known as Kirkdale Canalside, and is being represented by London-based Lacey Capital Partners.
The proposed site is a derelict railway cutting and neighbouring canalside which run along Melrose Road and Commercial Road through the centre of Kirkdale. The two plots total more than 17 acres.
There are no details yet as to the number of homes proposed as the scheme is still in the consultation phase, with two events due to take place next week. Alongside the community facilities, there is also an eco-park proposed.
Smith said: “We’re at an early stage but wanted to share our initial thinking with the people of Kirkdale so that they can help shape our ideas.
“The project would act as a catalyst for wider regeneration and provide much-needed high quality housing at rates affordable to local people. The area has been crying out for new community facilities and these will go beyond boxing in to areas such as fitness, diet, nutrition and wider life skills.”
Liverpool City Council is the sole shareholder of Foundations, which has been set up as an ethical housing company.
Foundations chief executive Mark Kitts said: “Our ideas incorporate some great initial thinking about how to bring these neglected and underused sites back in to community use and we see them as having the potential to kick-start regeneration in neighbouring areas such as the Flower Streets.”
Two public consultation events will be held at the Gordon Institute on Stanley Road on Friday 17 May at 10am-2pm and 4pm-6.30pm, and Saturday 18 May from 10am-4pm.
The canal-side park by the Flower Streets should be preserved! There’s very little green space in this area. I’m all for development that leads to regeneration, and this area desperately needs it, but it would be wrong to remove these green lungs by the water’s edge.
By Roscoe
Will this be the new home for the Rotunda? If not how will this be impacted?
By Lizzy Baggot
No property experience, another one of LCC’s jobs for the boys?
By J
What papers/planning application are there so that when local people come along, they have prior knowledge about what they are being consulted on and can have their say/give feedback from a knowledge base.
By SCSW
Is briar street going to be affected
By Karen
Leaflets were not given about the meeting, local residents who will be affected by these plans were not informed of any meeting or these plans. Local homeowners, whose homes will be knocked down for this have not be told anything and know nothing about it!
By Amy
Main picture is very misleading as it shows a street in Anfield. I have spoken to a few residents from different streets. None of them rec’d any invite’s to the two public consultation meetings held at the Gordon. This is a very worrying time for home owners.
By Fran
Hi can you please advise if this project covers Becket Street L4 1QU
By Pam Flanagan
Hi,
There are housing developments in several locations within the area; there are busy roads, heavy traffic therefore this green area, you want to change to more housing, should be preserved!!!
Instead of reducing nature (which is scarce in Kirkdale) you should ad more or enhance what we’ve got.
By Monika JP