Portfolio: Neighbourhoods and Housing

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

Date of submission: June 2006

Subject: Granby/Toxteth Masterplan Update

Report No./Background papers: EDR/115/04 and EDR/11a

Contact Officer: Elaine Stewart/Julie Wale

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 in the last quarter since February 2006 with major partner agencies - Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) and the lead developer Gleeson, 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 first AGM took place on 26th April 2006 and changes to the constitution and membership were formalised at the meeting.

A communication strategy has been agreed with the Board, and a leaflet prepared for distribution to key stakeholders at a launch which took place on May 16th. A training programme is being developed to develop the capacity of the Board members.

The Board has agreed a work programme which co-ordinates the work of LCC, INclude and partner agencies under key themes: Masterplan projects, environment, community priorities, crime and community safety, employment/training, health, children and young people and community engagement. The Board monitors the progress of the work programme; and the DC8 team is led by Elaine Stewart from South Central Neighbourhood Team whilst the DC8 Board chair is Wally Brown from Liverpool Community College.

5. KEY ISSUE UPDATE

GRANBY RENEWAL AREA

Four Streets

Lovell's scheme is currently being financially appraised by Grimleys and 2020 on the instruction of officers from HMRI team and the gap funding requirement is being assessed. The Executive Member for Neighbourhoods and Housing has been briefed on the proposed scheme and representatives of Granby Residents Association have also been advised of the proposals. Ward councillors will be briefed on the detail of the scheme as a next step. The following stage will be for Neighbourhood Officers and home ownership advisers to contact residents individually, to discuss the phasing of the scheme and their individual housing requirements. Resources for Granby Renewal Area have been identified in the Capital Programme which has now been approved by the City Council.

HMRI Health Impact Team are monitoring the condition of vacant properties in the Renewal Area and will serve appropriate notices where necessary.

HMRI's Living Through Change budget will continue to provide funding for enhanced void security, and this will be delivered by a new partnership arrangement between 2020 and Intruder Protection Services.

Kingsley School site

To complement the proposals for the remaining Granby Renewal Area, lead developer Gleeson is preparing a housing scheme for sale and shared ownership which will be submitted for planning approval at the appropriate time.

Granby Old School

Part of Granby Old School is being refurbished 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

This new build housing scheme of 32 x 3 bed houses has been funded by HMRI resources; and is an initiative of Habitat for Humanities, a charity. NRF resources have also been allocated to the scheme in 2006/07 and 2007/08.. The final obstacle relating to the start on site of the self-build housing scheme at Kingsley Road has been addressed. A report recommending the release of the restrictive covenant on the Archdiocese's land at Kingsley Road was endorsed at the Executive Board on 28th April (RES/79).

Mulgrave/Eversley Street

The £1 million refurbishment of five large properties into family homes for rent by Steve Biko Housing Association is complete and the properties have been occupied by families from the BRM community. Steve Biko Housing Association also 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 to this extent work is expected to commence on site soon.

2 - 12 Eversley Street

The acquisition of 6 Eversley Street has been completed and demolition will take place in 2006, followed by disposal to SBHA for re-development as part of the above scheme. A separate report recommending the transfer of the Council's land to CDS for development by Steve Biko, is expected to be considered in June 2006 by the Executive Board.

Mosque

Liverpool Muslim Society has now made a formal expression of interest to develop the vacant land at Rosebery Street. Officers have made provisional comments but are waiting on the outcome of the Option Appraisal on adjacent properties in Hatherley Street before making more detailed observations.

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.

LODGE LANE RENEWAL AREA

The Lodge Lane NRA declaration report (NH/12) was approved by the Executive Board on 2^nd June 2006. Officers from LCC and RSLs have been meeting to develop a strategy to reduce the levels of vacant properties in the area. Schemes to the value of £6.75 million in 2006-08 in Lodge Lane have been supported by the National Affordable Housing Programme, which includes £3 million for PLUS Housing Group to improve 82 co-op houses. Cosmopolitan Housing Association has committed to building 12 apartments for shared ownership on Hartington Road costing £1.7 million in the period Nov 06 - Nov 07; and 10 houses for shared ownership on a Fern Grove vacant site at a cost of £1.2 million provisionally by October 07.

This will be complemented by monies from the Housing Capital Programme for Lodge Lane for facelifting to private properties and environmental schemes.

Shops Upfront.

A combination of funding from NRF, Housing Capital and HMRI Living Through Change has enabled a creative programme of improvements to the value of £200,000 to be completed to a block of shops and the accommodation above in Lodge Lane. The project has been delivered by a partnership arrangement between the Culture Company, South Central Neighbourhood Team and The INclude Consultancy. There will be a launch in June.

Lodge Lane Commercial Centre

Inner City Solutions has been 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. Gleeson 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 sold 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.

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.

Responsibility for project management has been devolved to the City Centre Projects Team in Highways.

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

The planned summer programme of community consultation to be led by an artist of international standing has been put on hold whilst a strategic study into open spaces is commissioned by the HMRI team. CABE, a partner in the Project Management Group, has raised questions over the approach to the landscape design; and questioned the availability of resources in the Transport Capital Programme (TCP). These questions need resolving before commencement of the design phase.

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

That: Members note the report and further updates on progress are submitted as appropriate.

Key Decision: No

Forward Plan/5 days notice/special urgency: June/July Forward Plan

Implementation effective from: Immediately.

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 Mohammed Ali (until the local election) 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: N / A