Portfolio: Neighbourhoods and Housing

Executive Member/Interim Executive Director: Councillor Marilyn Fielding/Ben Dolan

Date of submission: January 2007

Subject: Granby/Toxteth Masterplan Update

Report No.

Contact Officer: Jack Coutts, Interim Team Leader / Elaine Stewart Interim Manager

South Central Neighbourhood Management

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Executive Board, at its meeting of 9th July 2004, noted the Granby Toxteth Masterplan as a concept document which outlined a vision for the area.

The Board also agreed that further progress reports should be brought forward, including details of consultation undertaken.

This report describes work undertaken by South Central Neighbourhood Team since June 2006 with major partner agencies - Registered Social Landlords (RSLs), the lead developer Gleeson, and sub-lead developer Lovell to implement the Masterplan on behalf of the Diverse City 8 Board (DC8).

2. PURPOSE

This report is for information to brief Members on progress in respect of the implementation of the Granby Toxteth Masterplan

3. BACKGROUND

The Granby Toxteth Masterplan was developed by the Granby Toxteth Partnership Board.

It was approved by the City Council Executive Board in July 2004. It is now being used within the Housing Market Renewal Initiative (HMRI) programme in the area, as the basis for more detailed concept planning.

Housing Corporation, City Council and RSLs are about to invest nearly £12 million in the area in the next two years.

4. RECENT UPDATE

DC8 Board

The Board met in July, September and November. It has received presentations as follows

The Board training programme has been drawn up and commenced. Sessions on Equality and Diversity and on Health have taken place and an Introduction to Neighbourhood Management is planned.

5. KEY ISSUE UPDATE

GRANBY RENEWAL AREA

Four Streets

Grimleys and 2020 completed an independent appraisal of Lovell's proposals and reported that the cost and value projections were realistic and supportable.

DC8 Board, GRA Steering Group, Executive Member for Neighbourhoods and housing, Leader of the City Council and Ward Councillors have received briefings on the scheme and a public exhibition was held to obtain resident feedback.

A door to door survey was also carried out to update household details and to obtain additional individual views. In total 39 households out of the remaining 57 within the area provided responses. The results of the consultation were mixed - a clear majority of respondents agreed with the balance of improvements and newbuild and also with the newbuild proposals in general while a minority expressed strong opposition to the Cairns Street partial demolition.

A comprehensive report on the proposals and consultations is in preparation for consideration by Executive Board early in 2007.

HMRI Health Impact Team are monitoring the condition of vacant properties in the Renewal Area and will serve appropriate notices om private owners where necessary. The majority of void properties have been acquired by the Council and are managed under the Living Through Change programme with 20.20 and IPS involvement.

Kingsley School site

Gleesons are continuing to develop designs for this site, to be brought forward for consultation in 2007 with a view to construction starting early 2008.

Granby Old School

Part of Granby Old School has beenrefurbished as part of the Granby Sure Start centre. Staff from South Central Neighbourhood Team have met with officers from Education to explore opportunities regarding a sustainable strategy for the rest of building.

Habitat for Humanities

The development self-build of 32 x 3 bed houses has been delayed by arson and vandalism attacks. Recent engagement of a new security firm is expected to resolve these problems and the first 3 houses are due to be completed by end March 2007. A full updated report on progress and future programme is imminent.

Eversley Street

Demolition of 2-12 Eversley Street has been completed and transfer of the land to Plus Housing Group is imminent. Steve Biko Housing Association has been allocated funding from the Housing Corporation's Approved Development Programme in 2006/08 to develop 27 units for rent and shared ownership over the next two years in and around Mulgrave/Eversley Street at a cost of £3 million. Full planning approval has been granted and work is expected to commence on site soon.

Hatherley Street

A condition survey and works costing report has been completed by consultants engaged on behalf of residents. A Most Satisfactory Course of Action (MSCA) study is being prepared by the HMRI Environmental Health colleagues incorporating independent valuation advice from the District Valuer and an option appraisal which will include residents' preferences. This is intended to evaluate the various physical, environmental, financial, social and economic factors involved in the consideration of the options for improvement and redevelopment following establish Government guidelines. The report will be submitted to the Executive Board when completed, expected in February 2007.

Mosque

The interest expressed by Liverpool Muslim Society with respect to land in Rosebery Street will form part of the consideration of the Hatherley Street MCSA study.

Chinese Church site

Action is being taken by the HMRI Health Impact Team against absentee owners because of nuisance being caused to local residents by flytippers and drug dealers.

These problems would be resolved if the owners agree to sell the site for redevelopment. Further progress is dependent on a potential end user for the site.

Princes Boulevard Heritage Trail

This project has been led by South Central Neighbourhood Team and INclude, as a key early win for the Granby Toxteth Masterplan.

The project is overseen by a Project Management Group which includes officers from the Council, Liverpool Biennial, Merseytravel and CABE.

£100,000 has been allocated from LCC Housing Capital for environmental improvement works to the Boulevard. Options and costings will be considered early in 2007.

LODGE LANE RENEWAL AREA

The Lodge Lane Renewal Area declaration was approved on 25^th July 2006.

An Information Day was held on 30^th November to make residents, owners and businesses aware of the proposals. Over 100 people attended and the comments received were overwhelmingly favourable although there was some disappointment that the Smithdown (`Poets') Streets would not be demolished.

An Implementation Group of Council and RSL officers has been formed to develop proposals, delivery plans and further consultation arrangements, including the development of a plan for the Poets Streets.

A phased facelifting programme is in preparation, initially starting in Aspen and Moss Groves in Spring 2007. Further works will be dependent on funding availability and levels of demand.

LHT have committed to a £1.7m programme of improvements to their stock within The Groves area and to dispose of 18 vacant properties for improvement and owner occupation.

Cosmopolitan have Housing Corporation funding approval for a newbuild scheme of 4 x 4 bedroom and 6 x 3 bedroom houses on the site of 18-24 Fern Grove. A Planning application has been submitted and work is due to start early in 2007.

Lodge Lane Commercial Centre

Inner City Solutions was commissioned to undertake a survey of retail businesses that will form the basis of a retail strategy for Lodge Lane.

Officers are continuing to facilitate site assembly for the Lodge Lane baths/library/scrap yard site. Cosmopolitan is exploring a new retail parade incorporating a refurbished library with flats over and houses on the sites to the rear.

The City Council has gifted the old Tiber school site to 'Tiber' a partnership of community organisations. If the site remains undeveloped after 5 years the terms of the contract requires Tiber to sell the site back to the City Council. Tiber are currently putting together a business plan and are exploring a number of funding streams to take forward the development.

Executive Member/Interim Executive Director Councillor Marilyn Fielding/Ben Dolan recommendation:

That:

1) Members note the report and further updates on progress are submitted as appropriate.

Key Decision: None

Forward Plan/5 days notice/special urgency: appropriate notices will be served.

Implementation effective from:

Timescale for action: The Masterplan sets out a broad programme of action to 2009. The recommendations for early interventions have been implemented from 2004/05.

Reason(s) for Recommendation: To update Members on progress with the Implementation of Granby Toxteth Masterplan.

Alternative options considered: As part of the Granby Toxteth Masterplan process, the Lodge Lane NRA study and the Granby Renewal Area assessment study, a variety of different options have been considered.

Consultation: The DC8 Board, which includes representatives from the main community/residents groups in the Masterplan area, has been regularly updated.

Consultation with Ward Councillors and outcome: Ward councillors Gideon Ben Tovim, and Lawrence Sidorczuk are represented on the DC8 Board, and as such are regularly updated. Other Ward Councillors from Princes Park and Picton have also been briefed on progress relating to the Masterplan.

Financial implications: The DC8 team has been assembled from existing partner resources. The Granby Renewal Area proposal and Lodge Lane NRA implementation plans are contained within the proposed 06/07 Housing Capital budget which has now been approved by Members. This includes the Lovells proposal in Granby.

A range of NRF and HMRI resources have also been allocated to schemes as outlined in the Executive Summary of this report. A report detailing the HMRI programme for 2006/07 will be presented for Members approval.

Further commitment to any funding for the Masterplan projects will be in line with the capital allocations available to the City Council and approved by Members.

Best Value: The Council will be seeking to maximise the available resources by working with key partners to deliver funding packages in order to deliver the programme of projects outlined in the Masterplan. A process of identifying programmes and phases based on the availability of resources will be necessary to ensure Best Value.

Equality implications: The regeneration improvements secured through the Masterplan seek to secure significant improvements in the quality of life of diverse BRM communities who live in the area, or look to it as a social, cultural or faith focus.

Corporate strategy: The Masterplan proposals have been considered and are in accordance with the City Council's Housing Strategy, the Community Plan, the Private Sector Renewal Strategy, the Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy and Housing Market Renewal Initiative.

Budget and Policy Framework: The proposals contained within the report are in compliance with the City Council budget and policy framework.

Community safety implications: The regeneration plans seek to secure significant improvements in the liveability of the area, which should have a knock-on effect on crime reduction and community safety.

Neighbourhood Management implications: The DC8 team will further ensure the co-ordination of service delivery and encourage an integrated approach from public agencies towards the management and regeneration of the area.

Report attached: