Liverpool city council’s attempt to obtain a compulsory purchase order for land at St Modwen’s Great Homer Street development will come under scrutiny at a public inquiry beginning today.
The council, with St Modwen as preferred developer, is aiming to create a mixed-use scheme in a run-down part of north Liverpool. It has outline planning consent for a 110,000 sq ft Sainsbury’s supermarket, plus 80,000 sq ft of additional shops, 80,000 sq ft of light industrial space, 480 homes and 40,000 sq ft of community facilities.
Liverpool council is aiming to secure CPO powers to buy around 37 acres of land currently featuring homes, shops and industrial uses in order to pave the way for the development.
The inquiry is expected to last for four days, but will be adjourned after today, resuming on 4 July. It will hear from objectors including Tesco and Scottish Power Manweb.
The Great Homer Street scheme, originally known as Project Jennifer, was previously subject to a long-running planning battle between Tesco and St Modwen. Tesco had planned to build a 90,000 sq ft supermarket on land on the site, but was refused planning consent, a decision that was upheld in a June 2010 high court ruling.
Liverpool council and St Modwen argued that the Tesco scheme would prejudice the comprehensive regeneration of the area.
daniel.cunningham@estatesgazette.com
