CPO approval clears way for £150m Great Homer Street project

Liverpool City Council and St Modwen have won the compulsory purchase powers required to deliver the Great Homer Street retail regeneration project in North Liverpool.

The Government confirmation followed a public inquiry in July. The scheme will be anchored by a Sainsbury's supermarket.

Stephen Prosser, regional director at St Modwen, said: "We have worked closely with the community and Liverpool City Council throughout the public inquiry. The awarding of the CPO is an important milestone and testament to the positive support the scheme continues to enjoy."

Prosser replaced Michelle Taylor at the start of December. Taylor was with St Modwen for 21 years and left to pursue other interests. Prosser was previously regional director for North East and Yorkshire and is now regional director for the North.

There are approximately 200 land interests across the 45-acre Great Home Street development site. There were 37 objections lodged at the end of the formal objection period, mostly where people were opposed to moving or the level of compensation.

St Modwen was appointed as preferred development partner by Liverpool City Council in 2004. If the CPO is granted, construction work could start by spring 2013.

If delivered, the scheme would include a 110,000 sq ft Sainsbury's food store, 80,000 sq ft of additional retail units, 80,000 sq ft of light industrial units, 480 new homes, and 40,000 sq ft of community facilities, including a new market and community health centre.

Paul Batho, projects director at St Modwen, said: "We have been in discussions with potential end users of the retail and leisure space available and are looking to pre-let these properties over the coming months. The CPO decision marks the next step forward in the process and allows us to begin securing tenants for the space. There is still a long way to go over the next few months, but we are confident that this decision marks a positive future for Project Jennifer."