Plans for more than 60 new apartments in north Liverpool could “decimate” the community, according to a charitable organisation.
Proposals have been put forward to Liverpool Council to build three new buildings containing up to 66 apartments on vacant land between Lancaster Street and Great Mersey Street in Kirkdale. The plans put forward by Great Mersey Developments would include three, four and six-storey buildings being constructed alongside associated parking.
The buildings would include 14 one-bedroom homes with a further 42 two-bed provisions. Concerns have been raised about the plans by Rotunda - an anchor charity based within five, Grade II listed Georgian terrace houses in Kirkdale. The charity is home to Rotunda College - an education provider specialising in flexible adult learning and career progression courses.
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Maxine Ennis, Rotunda chief executive, told the ECHO she has fears on the potential impact on the community should the plans go ahead. She said: “It would absolutely decimate this area.
“We have a nursery and pre-school on site and around 200 visitors a day. We’re a social regeneration organisation and very much rooted in the support of the community.
“This development could decimate that offer because of the potential for private sales of the apartments or becoming party pads or AirBnBs. They are popping up everywhere in North Liverpool and things like this aren’t conducive to affordable homes in the local community.
“We have parents of 52 children between the ages of one and five saying can we help, they don’t want this on their doorstep and their children won’t be safe. We’re not against development, but if you have to build, it has to be in keeping with the local area.”
A planning and development statement submitted on behalf of Great Mersey Developments said the site has been designed to “compliment and respond to the surrounding area, create local identity and reduce antisocial behaviour. Well-informed design and material choice will give the development longevity, contribute to the townscape and raise the aspirations of the area.”
On crime, the statement added: “A key objective of this development has been to create a safe and accessible environment which restricts opportunities for disorder and enhance the area for new and existing residents. The site layout and design of the blocks have been carefully considered to integrate the site with its current neighbours.
“In addition, the layout ensures that a safe environment is created by means of maximising opportunities for natural surveillance.” A date for the plans to be considered by Liverpool Council’s planning department has yet to be confirmed.
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