Liverpool’s bid to redevelop Anfield could secure future of ‘high-quality housing’

Published by 24publishing for 24dash.com in Housing and also in Central Government, Communities, Local Government

Liverpool Football Club has announced its preference to expand Anfield - rather than move to a new stadium in Stanley park - which could secure a future of “high quality housing” for the area, according to the city council.

The club announced today that the redevelopment of the stadium was its preferred option and that it will now work with the council and housing association Your Housing to redevelop the homes in the area.

Liverpool City Council said the decision marked a "positive step" forward and further augments the existing commitment by the council and Your Housing to develop a thriving future for the area.

Earlier this year the council announced plans to rejuvenate the neighbourhoods around the stadium which have been left decimated by the ending of the Housing Market Renewal Initiative (HMRI).

Dubbed 'Anfield Village', the project signalled the start of a programme of work to refurbish some 600 properties in the area.  The council says the plan is to refurbish as many properties as possible, but warns some will have to be demolished, as part of the overall strategy to regenerate the area and drive up the quality of housing.

Mayor Joe Anderson said Anfield is an area that has for too long been “let down and neglected”.

He said: “Earlier this year we announced ambitious plans to rejuvenate housing in the area, and we are already making good progress on that front.

"Liverpool FC’s announcement that their preference is to expand its stadium provides further certainty for the community, adds increased momentum to the work which is already going on and paves the way towards a new blueprint for the area."

He said he was delighted the city has now reached this milestone. He said: “It means we can now work together with confidence to deliver a new era for Anfield. A future of high quality housing, first-class retail and leisure facilities, and at the heart of it all, a world-class football stadium, playing host to one of the world’s most famous clubs.”

Ian Ayre, managing director of Liverpool FC, said the club was looking forward to working with the council and Your Housing to explore the detailed feasibility of expanding Anfield stadium in a way that is supportive of the council’s regeneration plan and is for the community and public benefit.

He said: “Any final decision about extending Anfield will be dependent on two main factors – firstly that the community and home owners are supportive of the proposed stadium expansion and secondly our ability to navigate the complex planning landscape.”

Positive results are already being seen in Anfield, with the recent completion, by Your Housing Group, of the first newly converted property on Gurnall Street. The modern, family house has been created by transforming two small, early 20th century terraces into one spacious three-bed property with open plan living space, upstairs bathroom, and garden.

Further details on the housing renewal programme – which was boosted in June by the award of £13.5 million from the Government’s Empty Homes grant – will be announced in the coming months. Plans also include the upgrading of property frontages, paving and roads, environmental improvements and the creation of space for gardens through demolition.

Liverpool City Council’s chief executive, Ged Fitzgerald, said: “These are really important steps forward, for the community, and for Liverpool Football Club. We now have a clear vision for the future of Anfield, and we can look forward with real optimism.

“Of course, Liverpool FC’s statement that their preference is to expand their existing stadium is just the first step. There’s a lot of work now ahead of us in delivering our ambitions for the community and for the club. We’ll be working together with Your Housing Group and our other partners, local residents and stakeholders, to finalise a robust set of plans for the whole area – and then doing everything we can to turn those plans into a reality.”