FAQs - Your questions answered
As the regeneration of Liverpool's city centre gathers pace and the look of the city reflects its aspirations as European Capital of Culture, Liverpool Land Development Company (LLDC) is working to regenerate those areas beyond the city centre.
The Edge Lane corridor will shortly benefit from £65million of public sector investment to upgrade the housing, environment, commercial and transport infrastructure. This work will be an essential component in the ongoing economic regeneration of Liverpool, both for the communities who live and work in the Edge Lane corridor and for the many businesses and residents who benefit from it as a transport route.
This is a huge, exciting project that, along with the Housing Market Renewal Initiative, Kensington New Deal for Communities and the private sector, will transform the area. Below are the answers to some frequently asked questions regarding the Edge Lane Project - please visit www.liverpooldev.co.uk to find out more about Liverpool Land Development Company and their regeneration schemes across Liverpool.
Q. I've seen new green & blue hoardings on the former MTL bus depot site. What's happening behind them?
LLDC is working with its partners to progress proposals for a major business park for knowledge based companies. This site has been remediated and prepared for new development - the new buildings and landscaping will result in a highly attractive and prestigious commercial location. LLDC also plan to create a new 'front door' to the already successful Wavertree Technology Park - which lies to the rear of the former MTL site. A new road junction will allow access from Edge Lane and add value to this already thriving Technology Park.
Q. Do you know what will be happening to the Littlewoods building?
Earlier this year, LLDC invited developers to submit workable proposals to bring these architecturally striking buildings back into use. Award-winning property developer Urban Splash has been selected as the preferred developer to take forward the proposals for a hotel and a mix of residential and commercial space.
Q. What economic effect do you expect regeneration will have on the area?
The Edge Lane Project represents £65million of public sector investment which will act as a catalyst and is expected to lever in £185 million of private sector funding. It will create 400,000 sq. ft. of new commercial floorspace, which has the potential to generate up to 2,000 new jobs and when matched with the significant investment in new housing will deliver long term sustainable, economic and social benefits and bring about a new confidence and a sense of pride in the area.
Q. I've noticed a lot of houses are boarded up on the western end of Edge Lane. What's happening there?
The Edge Lane West area is earmarked for a major mixed use housing based regeneration scheme. The Edge Lane partners are making substantial headway with proposals to create a mix of privately-owned and social housing along with improved community facilities. This is the result of extensive consultation with local residents and Kensington Regeneration. Housebuilders, Bellway, has been appointed by Liverpool City Council and are drawing up exciting plans for a regeneration scheme to transform the area.
Q. I've heard you are planning to create an 'expressway'. Is this true?
Whilst LLDC plans to improve the traffic flow on Edge Lane the speed limited will remain at 30 mph. It has no proposals to create an expressway. In Edge Lane West, by St Cyprian's Church, the highway briefly narrows to a single lane, resulting in a traffic bottleneck. Here, LLDC plans to widen the highway and improve traffic movement at this busy junction and create a safer environment for pedestrians. An overall scheme of road safety and environmental improvements will be carried out along the entire length of Edge Lane.
Q. Why does Liverpool Land Development Company think that houses need to be knocked down to regenerate the area?
Liverpool Land Development Company appreciates that many houses in the Edge Lane West area are much loved family homes and that it will be a difficult time for the families who need to move as a result of the changes. However, many of the properties in this area have suffered decades of neglect. The plans for the regeneration of the Kensington area have evolved as a result of extensive consultation and engagement with the local community who have worked tirelessly to devise solutions to the problems which the area currently faces. The current proposals to demolish properties are part of wider, long term plans devised by the community to restructure their area while at the same time retaining and building upon the strong sense of community that exists. Along with demolitions and new house building many existing properties in the area are to be retained and refurbished.
Q. Could the commercial aspects of the Project go ahead without the housing element?
Yes, but there would be an imbalanced community and less chance of creating one which is sustainable in the long term. This is why the Edge Lane Project is so significant for Liverpool in that it combines the delivery of a wide range of individual schemes where the whole is greater than the sum of the parts.
Q. Will the plans for Edge Lane itself create a hazard for people that live in the area?
The route will remain the main access into the city from the M62 motorway. However, improvements to the road layout in the Edge Lane corridor have been promised for 20 years and this element of the project will help ensure that the proper crossings and traffic management procedures are in place to maximise pedestrian safety.
Q. What kind of businesses will be set up in the new commercial development along Edge Lane?
The aspiration for Edge Lane is to create a cluster for technology and science related industries, attracting employers from across the UK and abroad as well as accommodating the growth of existing businesses in the area. In addition, new floorspace in the area is proposed providing flexible, managed offices, studio space and offices for sale to encourage business start-ups and growing SMEs.
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