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Council to challenge Welsh
Streets decision LIVERPOOL City Council is to appeal a
decision by Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles to turn down the proposed
regeneration of the Welsh Streets.
In January, the Secretary of State overturned a recommendation from an expert
independent Planning Inspector that the scheme be given the green light.
Under the plans; backed by 70% of the local community; 271 damp and run down
homes were to have been demolished and replaced by 154 new houses. Another 37
terraced properties, including the former home of Beatle Ringo Starr, would have
been refurbished.
Assistant Mayor and Cabinet member for Housing, Councillor Ann O'Byrne, said:-
"We are not prepared to stand by and see Eric Pickles ignore local people
and his own independent planning inspector. The long suffering residents of the
Welsh Streets have now been waiting more than a decade for new homes and we are
standing up against this unacceptable political interference from Whitehall and
challenging the decision. This scheme was carefully developed and supported by
the vast majority of local people in a thorough and detailed consultation."
A public inquiry last summer looked in detail at plans by the Council to
compulsorily purchase the last eight of the 311 interests needed to deliver
phases one and 2 of the £15 million scheme.
Under the proposals, the new homes for the local community and new residents
would have been built to a high standard and will be available for affordable
rent and sale, providing a diverse mix of housing for the area designed to be
energy efficient and spacious, with many including gardens.
The Welsh Streets plans formed part of the wider regeneration of the Princes
Park neighbourhood, with more than 80% of the 2,500 properties in the renewal
area being retained.
The scheme was approved by the Council's planning committee in August 2013, but
called in for public inquiry by the Secretary of State. |
