Final public consultation launches on Liverpool's Local Plan

Last call – Residents and business are invited to have their final say on Liverpool's Local Plan until 23 August 2021.

LIVERPOOL is launching a 6 week public consultation, on Friday, 9 July 2021, to invite people and businesses to have their final say on the City's 15 year Local Plan. Liverpool's Local Plan sets out how the City would meet the challenges of a predicted population rise of 47,000 people, by creating 35,000 new homes and developing 370 acres of land for 38,000 new jobs.

The draft plan, which was recently endorsed by the City council's Cabinet, has identified 100 detailed policies to manage this growth, building on work to protect the City's heritage and also includes a new policy for controlling developments in the City centre. It will also enshrine a new robust process to control the number of conversions of properties into homes in multiple occupation (HMO's).

The council will aim to use the Local Plan to support its recently published City Plan, which is focused on delivering a Post Pandemic recovery that delivers benefits for people from all walks of life. The local plan and City Plan embody the Mayor's and Cabinet triple lock commitment to better environmental, social and equality standards.

Following consultations in 2014, 2016 and 2018, the draft Local Plan was submitted to the Secretary of State in 2018 to be assessed by an independent inspector. Due to delays exacerbated by Covid, the inspector finally conducted their Examination in Public hearings in October 2020, to test the "soundness" of the plan, at which a series of proposed Main Modifications were identified.

To be found sound, the Local Plan must comply with all necessary legal requirements and pass the tests of 'soundness,' which require that it should have been positively prepared so that it meets the future development needs of Liverpool and it must be justified, effective and consistent with national policy.

As a result of the inspector's Main Modifications, the public are now being asked one final time for their feedback, but this time only on these proposed changes. People can read or download the Combined Schedule of Main Modifications and provide feedback online and by email until 5pm, Monday 23rd August by going to:- Liverpool.Gov.UK

Key to Liverpool's Local Plan is to focus future development on brownfield land and making sufficient provision for regeneration projects and job creation in the City's key employment areas. The Local Plan will also enforce various area based master plans in the Baltic Triangle, Ten Streets, the Commercial District, the Cavern Quarter and the Upper Central area of the City Centre.

A Tall Buildings Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) and Public Realm Strategy SPD will also be adopted to supplement the plan. The council is currently preparing them both for public consultation. After this final public consultation a report will be prepared for the council's Cabinet to adopt the Local Plan. On approval it will then replace the existing Unitary Development Plan 2002 on all planning matters.

Liverpool Local Plan - Key info:-

► The Local Plan is the key, statutory planning and development policy each local authority is obliged to produce.

► It will shape Liverpool's development needs until 2033 by:-

► Allowing the build of nearly 35,000 new homes to meet the needs of a growing population.

► Providing the places to work for an estimated growth in jobs of nearly 38,000; on nearly 150 hectares (370 acres) or nearly 250 football pitches in area.

► Protecting and managing developments affecting open space and the natural and historic environment of the City so that it is not significantly affected.

► Promoting better quality new homes that are wheelchair accessible, meeting residents needs throughout their lifetime if necessary.

► Increasing the supply of affordable homes.

► Managing the over concentration of developments such as hot food takeaways and homes in multiple occupation (HMO's).

Promoting key development areas especially within the City Centre, protecting the key assets and role of those areas while encouraging and enabling more growth from Baltic Triangle in the South to Ten Streets in the north and the waterfront in the west to Paddington Village in the East.

Councillor Sarah Doyle, Cabinet member for Development and Housing, said:- "Covid has given everyone time to think about what type of growth Liverpool needs, where and who it will benefit, and this Local Plan provides the framework to how this will happen. This Local Plan sets out to determine how we make Liverpool a healthier and more prosperous City that meet the needs of a changing population, and with our City Plan will help shape Liverpool's post Pandemic recovery. Its impact will be huge because it explores all the key issues and acknowledges the importance of measuring social value in what we do and who we work with. It reflects on what type of homes and jobs we need as a City to improve community wellbeing, what type of high street we shop in, to how do we enjoy our parks and green spaces and how do we travel between them. The public's feedback has been vital to shaping this plan to date and that will continue to be the case over the coming 6 weeks."

Merseyside Charities Shortlisted for ₤3000 Cadent Foundation Grant

3 Merseyside charities have each been awarded a ₤1000 grant from the Cadent Foundation and are now in the running to increase it to ₤3000 after being nominated and voted for by Cadent employees in the North West. Love, Jasmine in Liverpool, Claire House Children's Hospice in Wirral and The Walton Centre Charity in Liverpool, have all been shortlisted to receive a share of a ₤25,000 grant fund in the 2nd round of the Cadent Foundation's 'Connecting Colleagues, Customers and Communities' initiative, which was 1st launched last year. The Cadent Foundation is funded by local gas network Cadent, and employees across the North West were asked to nominate local charities which were then shortlisted to go forward to a public vote. The final stage is now underway with Cadent engineers equipped with information and material to allow customers to submit a vote and find out more about the individual charities. The charity with the most votes in each Region will receive ₤3000 and the 2 runners up, ₤1000 each. In the 1st funding round, ₤25,000 was awarded to 15 charities across the North West including Merseyside and Cheshire Blood Bikes, The Whitechapel Centre and Greenbank, in Liverpool.

Julia Dwyer, Director of the Cadent Foundation, said:- "The 'Connecting Colleagues, Customers and Communities' initiative has been a fantastic success as it allows Cadent customers and colleagues to make a real difference in their local community by nominating and voting for charities which are close to their hearts. We had a huge response from the public in the 1st round with more than 1000 votes cast; and we already look set to far exceed that number this time around. We've seen 1st hand what a huge difference this funding can make to local charities, especially after the last 18 months. Charities like these play a vital role in in our society and we're delighted to be able to offer our support to help them continue their great work."

Love, Jasmine provides support to families following the death of a child of any age, including adult children. They provide emotional support, practical support and promote self-care to improve the emotional wellbeing of the whole family. Co-Founder, Rob Lapsley said:- "We were delighted to receive a nomination from Cadent Gas employees for a grant which will help us continue to provide support to bereaved families in our area. Like every other small charity, every penny counts and we'd like to thank everyone who has nominated and voted for us so far."

Claire House Children's Hospice in Wirral helps seriously and terminally ill children live life to the full by creating wonderful experiences and bringing back a sense of normality to their life by providing specialist nursing and emotional care for children and their families. Harry Boshell, Partnerships Manager, said:- "We're thrilled to be nominated as one of the Cadent Foundation's Merseyside charities. We've continued to be there for our families through the most difficult time in their lives over the last 16 months, with our Butterfly Coordinators providing vital emotional and practical support for bereaved families. As our work continues, we're incredibly grateful for the support we receive, and it allows us to continue to hold the hands of families when they need us most."

The Walton Centre Charity supports the Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust by funding a variety of projects at the Hospital which help improve patient care and services. The Walton Centre is the only specialist Hospital trust in the UK dedicated to providing comprehensive neurology, neurosurgery, spinal and pain management services. Specialist staff offer a world-class service in diagnosing and treating injuries and illnesses affecting the brain, spine and peripheral nerves and muscles, and in supporting people suffering from a wide range of long term neurological conditions.

Madeleine Fletcher, Head of Fundraising, said:- "The Walton Centre Charity is delighted to have been nominated and very grateful to the employee who put us forward! We would put the grant towards improving outdoor spaces at our Hospital for the benefit of both staff and patients so they can take well earned breaks in the fresh air, away from busy wards and departments."

The Cadent Foundation supports projects that help people living in vulnerable situations and energy poor communities; protect and preserve the natural environment and support in creating a sustainable energy future for all. More information can be found at:- CadentFoundation.Com.

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Final public consultation launches on Liverpool's Local Plan

Merseyside Charities Shortlisted for ₤3000 Cadent Foundation Grant