What's Happening In Your Area?

Why has the area been chosen for development?

The Klondyke is a self contained area dominated by small, terraced housing with no front or back gardens. The area has a poor image because of the dominance of this type of house. Narrow streets cause a lack of privacy and a lack of natural sunlight. Streets are cramped with approximately 120 homes to each hectare and the area has few community facilities. However, the Klondyke is an area with a very strong community spirit and residents dedicated to improving the neighbourhood.

The industrial land between Hawthorne Road and the Leeds-Liverpool canal isolate the area from the town centre and residential areas to the west. Many of these sites are underused or derelict. The area also has a number of industrial and commercial uses which have a damaging affect on the quality of the residential environment. Some of these provide opportunities for redevelopment which will act as a focus for new residential development and new employment opportunities. They will also improve the potential for the Leeds Liverpool canal to be used for recreational purposes.

What is happening?

A masterplan for the area has been produced and the main proposals are to:

• Encourage the redevelopment of former industrial sites along Hawthorne Road and the canal for appropriate uses.
• Provide high-quality new housing to meet the needs of the community and to attract new residents to the area.
• Encourage business, to create and improve quality employment opportunities and promote appropriate new opportunities.
• Remove inappropriate industrial and commercial uses of land.
• Provide high quality frontage to Hawthorne Road.
• Improve the quality of and provide new public areas, urban green space and pedestrian links.
• Provide new local shops and other local services.
• Create new community and education facilities around Aspinalls Fields.
• Provide a new network of green spaces within the new residential areas which link Aspinalls Fields with the canal.

New housing

There are several new developments already complete in the Klondyke that will provide new homes for people that previously lived in terrace properties. These include:

• Ash / Beech Road
• Kirby Road
• St Philip's Place

The plans for the area are phased and so clearance and new development will start once people living in each of the affected phases have been re-housed. All residents wanting to remain in the area will be given first refusal on the new homes being built.

Neighbourhood Management

Each HMR area has been assigned a Registered Social Landlord (RSL) to manage the neighbourhood and provide advice, support and services for all residents, whether they rent or own their property.

The RSL for the Klondyke neighbourhood is Breathe+ and they are based at:

34 Eleanor Road
Bootle
L20 6BR
0151 284 5756

Living through Change

Improvements have been made within the Klondyke area through a programme of 'living through change' projects, which is funded by Housing Market Renewal. This is delivered by the neighbourhood RSL and aims to support people living in the area by making the environment as pleasant as possible whilst the change is taking place. Initiatives in the Klondyke area include:

• Handy person scheme - where residents can access a handy person for free to do odd jobs. For more information contact Becky Henstock on 0151 920 2248.
• Hit sqaud, who provide a cleaning service for the area.
• Improved lighting, to reduce criminal damage and anti-social behaviour.

Land regeneration

Adjacent to the Klondyke estate, are a number of derelict and contaminated industrial sites, between Hawthorne Road and the Leeds - Liverpool canal. Once cleared of contamination, these would provide excellent opportunity for high quality residential developments.

Sefton Planning Department has produced Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG) for development within the area. The guidance sets out where development will take place and where new homes will be built. It also sets out the framework for other land uses, which are needed to regenerate the area.

How long will it take?

Housing Market Renewal is a 10-15 year programme. The work that is being carried out in the Klondyke area will be phased over this period of time. Redevelopment of the area has begun with people having already moved into new homes. This will continue as a rolling programme.

I live in an area that will be cleared and redeveloped what will happen to me?

Two booklets have been produced to provide information for those people who are living in the clearance area. Click on the appropriate link below to find out more detail.

• Information Booklet for Owner Occupiers
• Information Booklet for Tenants
  

My house is in an area that is not scheduled for redevelopment what will happen instead?

There are currently no plans for properties with the current redevelopment area. It is recognised that there are enhancements that could be made to homes should funding allow, but the available budget is being directed at the redevelopment area.

How will I be kept informed about what's happening?

Housing Market Renewal distributes a newsletter to every home in the area on a quarterly basis. The newsletter will keep you informed of what's happening in your area and can also be found in the library and local community centres. You can also make any specific enquiries to Breathe+.

What other improvements will I see?

Housing Market Renewal is about creating places where people want to live. Residents should have access to good transport, health facilities, good shops, a safe and clean environment and good community facilities.

The Housing Market Renewal team has been working with a range of services and organisations to make this happen. For example funding projects such as:

• Reassurance policing - This is a dedicated police officer for the Klondyke area.
• Alleygating - Providing additional security to entries in the area.

The Klondyke area has other community facilities that provide a valuable resource for local people. All of the projects involve members of the community.