Edge Lane Liverpool - CPO confirmed
Liverpool Land Development Company and its joint venture partners - national regeneration agency English Partnerships, the North West Regional Development Agency and Liverpool City Council - have welcomed the decision by the Secretary of State to confirm the Edge Lane Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO). This is the first CPO order that English Partnerships has taken through to a Public Inquiry.
The announcement from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister paves the way for the start on a radical and comprehensive regeneration project to transform one of the most deprived areas of Liverpool by the provision of new housing, commercial and community facilities.
The Inspector's view was that the scheme accords with national, regional and local planning and regeneration policies and that it is clearly defined, has a deliverable objective and the financial resources and partnership backing to make it happen.
The project is being led by Liverpool Land Development Company, and is according to the Inspector "a well advanced composite regeneration scheme involving highway improvements, associated housing, commercial and environmental redevelopment that will bring substantial benefits which would extend beyond the immediate area".
The scheme links to wider government initiatives through both the Kensington New Deal for Communities and the New Heartlands Pathfinder initiatives.
Paul Spooner, regional director for English Partnerships said: "The regeneration of Edge Lane falls within English Partnerships' regional priorities and forms part of our wider £75million programme of investment in Liverpool. The improvements on this key route into the city will bring about new housing, new jobs through new businesses and new community facilities for the area and its residents. The partners will continue to work with the community as we deliver the scheme. "
Residents were asked for their views as to how they would like to see the area regenerated. It is as a result of the views of the local community that these proposals have been brought forward and a complex funding package has been put together to ensure they can be delivered.
The funding sources to realise the redevelopment include significant investment from English Partnerships, Liverpool City Council, New Heartlands, Northwest Regional Development Agency, EU Objective 1, Department for Transport and importantly the private sector.
This area based regeneration scheme retains and enhances the setting of many historic and listed buildings and forms part of an even wider multi million pound investment, being managed by Liverpool Land Development Company, into the entire length of the Edge Lane corridor which includes new housing, retail and leisure space, as well as major investment in new commercial floorspace aimed at the knowledge sector.
Development Director Ian Hassall of Liverpool Land Development Company said: "We are very pleased with the decision. We will continue to work with our delivery partners to deal sensitively with the re-housing needs of all residents in the area with a view to starting work on these exciting proposals later this year. This project is a true example of regeneration partners working effectively together to deliver much needed change."