Great Homer Street retail scheme gets green light

Work on the £150m Great Homer Street retail regeneration scheme in Liverpool is expected to begin in spring 2014 after the project received detailed planning consent from the city council.

Known locally as Project Jennifer and led by developer St Modwen in partnership with Liverpool City Council, the scheme is anchored by a new Sainsbury's supermarket.

Construction of the Sainsbury's store will begin in spring 2015 after initial site works have been completed, with the store due to open early in 2016.

The scheme is due to complete in autumn 2016 with further phases of development following in the Marwood tower and Dryden Street areas of the site.

As well as retail space, the scheme will provide new market facilities, homes, 900 free customer car parking spaces, a petrol filling station, health facilities, transport interchange and improved links to Everton Park.

Stephen Prosser, regional director at St Modwen, said: "The attainment of this detailed permission is the next important step forward and is testament to the positive support the scheme continues to enjoy.

"We are committed to delivering this scheme for the people of North Liverpool and will be working hard to finalise the details over the next few months in the build-up to starting on site."

Cllr Malcolm Kennedy, Liverpool City Council's cabinet member for regeneration, said: "Project Jennifer is an important progression for North Liverpool and will regenerate an area in real need of investment and development.

"We are looking forward to seeing this vital scheme delivered, which will make a massive difference to people's lives – breathing new life into the area, providing first-class facilities and creating new jobs."

St Modwen was appointed as preferred development partner by Liverpool City Council in 2004.

Liverpool City Council and St Modwen won the compulsory purchase powers required to deliver the project in December.

Turley Associates represented St Modwen.