06 Dec 2006

PETROL STATION GROT SPOT TRANSFORMED INTO LUXURY FLATS.

A great grandmother from Bootle is among the first people to move into luxury apartments on the site of a former petrol station on Stanley Road.

473 Stanley Road in Sefton's Housing Market Renewal Initiative area is made up of 12 two bedroom apartments with balconies.

The development, which is managed by Rodney Housing and cost £1.3m, includes video entry security and open plan living for residents who are moving from the HMR clearance areas in nearby Queens/Bedford and Klondyke.

It's a far cry from the derelict petrol station which used to stand on the site attracting significant anti social behaviour and fly tipping. The petrol station also had serious contamination issues all of which have been resolved thanks to Sefton Council's Land Contamination Team.

84 year old Catherine Bromilow who has lived in the area all her life is moving from the NewHeartlands clearance area in Queens/Bedford to her new apartment.

She said:

"It's already home and it's delightful to live in such a contemporary and fashionable place. I've moved here with two of my neighbours so I'm among friends and life has become much easier thanks to my walk in shower!"

Tom Harrison, Rodney Housing's Chief Executive said:

"This site was an eyesore when we acquired it and is unrecognisable now. We invested more than £100,000 to decontaminate the ground and worked closely with Sefton Council to achieve this. We're very proud of the finished building."

Ian Maher, Sefton Council's Cabinet member for Regeneration and NewHeartlands Board member said:

"The 473 Stanley Road development follows the very successful 544 Stanley Road new build which was the first new build to be completed as part of the HMR scheme in Sefton. Now that we have raised the aspirations of people who live here it's great to be able to offer them housing of this standard."

Bootle MP Joe Benton is set to officially open the apartments this Friday.