What's Happening In Your Area?

The Wavertree zone has one of the largest number of pre-1919 terraced houses in the city, with many privately rented homes and empty properties. The area sits alongside the Edge Lane Regeneration Corridor, the most important gateway into Liverpool and includes both the Kensington and Picton Renewal Areas.

Kensington

Why has my area been chosen for development?

Kensington is Merseyside's largest Renewal Area, covering 5,531 properties and includes numerous buildings of architectural merit, as well as a large Victorian park and gardens. Property type, size and density varies across Kensington, with the worst housing conditions being found in the Edge Hill neighbourhood, which is the main area proposed for clearance. Some areas of non-decency can also be found in other neighbourhoods within the renewal area.

What is happening?

It was a milestone year for the programme in Kensington with the start of its first demolitions, which residents had been eagerly anticipating. There was also the confirmation of the long awaited Edge Lane West Phase 1 CPO for the Edge Lane Project. This is a vital part of the regeneration in the wider Kensington area and the city as a whole, so the CPO confirmation was great news for the area.

Following a series of surveys and market testing of the houses that front Prescot Road (209-299), it was concluded that most of the blocks could not be saved due to the poor structural condition and the cost of bringing them back into a liveable condition. Consequently, the Newsham Park Steering Group, made up of elected members, council officers and partner organisations which was established specifically to investigate and develop a way forward for the area, recommended that these properties be demolished. The majority of the residents affected by these proposals have been re-housed, with only three owner occupiers remaining.

A lot of positive progress was made in terms of new build, with the completion of Phase 1 of the Joshua Place ( Tunnel Road), Kensington Square (Gilead Street) and Fairfield Park (Lomond Road) developments, providing 160 new homes to the area.

Joshua Place was a particular success with 38 residents moving in from the clearance areas.

The Gilead Street Phase 2 CPO was also confirmed in May 2008. The Edge Hill Design Group, consisting of key stakeholders including local residents, continued to progress well developing the Master Plan for the future redevelopment of the area, which was approved in September 2008.

Residents within the Kensington Fields and Holt neighbourhoods continue to see the benefit of the rolling programme of front environmental improvements, with take up of the scheme averaging 75%. Within one street (Wrenbury) there was almost 100% take up! The scheme aims to encourage people to remain living in the property and help secure the long term sustainability of an area.

The year ahead will see Kensington starting to take shape, with a focus on implementing the Master Plan. Bellway will start to build new homes on the Phase 2 and 2a cleared sites. This will be complemented by Phase 2 of the Tunnel Road development also starting on site, the CPO application for Phase 2 Lomond Road being submitted and demolitions of the properties that front Prescot Road.

Partners will also be working towards developing a programme to progress the Edge Lane Project now that there is an unchallenged CPO for Phase 1.

How long will all this take?

The re-development of Kensington is expected to be a 10 year process

Picton

Why has my area been chosen for development?

Properties across Picton are similar in terms of age, type and construction, with the main difference being the physical condition of the housing and the general environment. The area covers 1004 properties and is situated close to the City Centre and Wavertree Technology Park. Some areas have suffered from abandonment, low demand and lack of investment for many years and therefore form the main area proposed for clearance.

What is happening?

Significant progress was made over the past twelve months within Picton: all elements of the programme finally being implemented from target hardening and demolition to new build and refurbishment. The comprehensive target hardening scheme continued to provide households in and around the clearance areas with additional security measures to make them feel safe in their homes. The majority of residents from Phases 1 and 2 were re-housed during the year, with only 5 remaining out of the original 357. This made way for the first demolitions, which started during March 2009, showing real progress on the ground. A number of consultation events were held to discuss the future of the area and this engagement stimulated the formation of the Design Groups, which included representatives from key stakeholders including the community. These groups, within a period of six months, developed the Masterplan and Design Code for the future redevelopment of the area and are awaiting final planning approval. New modern homes with gardens and parking facilities were built on the Spekefield Mews and Phase 1 Joshua place developments, which were completed during the year. The rolling programme of external improvements within the sustainable streets continued with the completion of a further 38 properties.

Surveys were conducted within the wider Picton area, including Phase 3 clearance streets, which resulted in 95% of residents supporting the regeneration proposals. An initial study to develop options for the future of the Webster Road Triangle is being conducted and will continue to be progressed in the next financial year.

The focus in Picton over the next twelve months will be on completing the Phase 1 and 2 acquisitions and demolitions, as well as obtaining approval of the final Master Plan.

Additional grant funding will enable acquisitions to commence in Phase 3 of the clearance area and the construction of new build properties to continue on the Spekefield Mews development.

How long will all this take?

The re-development of Picton is expected to be a 10 year process.