Liverpool Land Development Company (LLDC) is to press on with the next stage of demolition of houses at the western end of Edge Lane in the city.
The latest phase of the controversial Edge Lane regeneration project, Edge Lane West, will commence next week and involves the demolition of derelict houses already in public ownership.
Last month, a resident of Edge Lane successfully overturned a compulsory purchase order for her home in the High Court, which is likely to delay the overall scheme.
LLDC stressed that the Edge Lane West demolition is unaffected by the High Court ruling.
The highways element of Edge Lane West includes road improvements to remove the traffic bottleneck at St Cyprian’s Church.
The road, the main link from the M62 into Liverpool city centre, will be realigned and widened to a dual carriageway.
LLDC says more than 265 of the 370 properties earmarked for demolition in Edge Lane West are already in public ownership, with 75% of the remainder in active negotiation.
David Waugh, chief executive of LLDC, said: “The start of work on Edge Lane West is a very important milestone for this project, which will provide the local community with new homes, new community and retail facilities in place of currently derelict properties and a much safer road.
“The removal of the boarded-up properties will also be welcomed by the vast majority of residents who at last can begin to see a positive change in their community surroundings.
“We are committed to this scheme and delivering the plans generated within the local community.”
LLDC is working alongside English Partnerships, Liverpool City Council and the North West Regional Development Agency on the Edge Lane plans.
The main elements of the overall scheme include the redevelopment of the former Littlewoods building in Wavertree by Urban Splash and the demolition of 380 terraced houses in Kensington.
The development also includes the building of 200 new homes and a new science park at the former MTL bus site, offering up to 260,000 sq ft of new office and lab space.
References: EGi News 26/10/06
