Council brings small cleared housing sites back to market

Liverpool City Council is running a pilot project to bring vacant land across an initial 16 sites back into use for housing.

The council's property and asset management team drew up the list of council-owned sites, some of which have been vacant for decades. The land includes sites in Walton Village, Kirkdale, Croxteth and Princes Park.

The sites will be marketed to individuals or groups who might be interested in small-build housing developments. Most of the sites previously contained housing which was demolished.

The 16 brownfield sites identified by the council range from 286 sq m to 9,622 sq m, suitable for between one and five homes. Three bigger sites in Croxteth, which formerly held tower blocks, suitable for larger custom-build proposals.

Liverpool City Council will shortly be advertising the available land and contacting small builders, community organisations, social housing providers, charities and people who wish to build their own house, to invite expressions of interest.

Cllr Ann O'Byrne, cabinet member for housing, said: "We have talked extensively with small-build organisations in this the city – and we know that there is certainly an appetite and demand for these types of schemes."

The council will work with Liverpool organisation Comtechsa, or Community Technical Architects, to promote the use of local architects and builders where possible.

The council owns the freehold to the land and plans to dispose of the sites by way of a long leasehold. The council is inviting expressions of interest for both individual sites and for groups of sites, and from individuals as well as small builders interested in small scale, one or two new-build units, to larger scale proposals, above five units.

Expressions of interest will be expected to include a financial offer for the site, and interested parties will be asked to provide a range of other details, including their financial arrangements to deliver the proposal; a timetable for delivery; design principles; how the site will be managed; and any wider social, economic or environmental benefits to be delivered. All proposals will be assessed by the city council with a decision on the outcome of the initiative taken by late spring.