By Joanne Williams, Merseyside Acme
Liverpool is poised for significant growth, with a new housing strategy set to reshape the city’s urban landscape. Under a proposed redevelopment plan, Liverpool City Council could facilitate the construction of up to 11,000 new homes over the next decade, addressing the pressing need for housing as the city’s population is forecast to surpass half a million by 2043.
With an anticipated increase of 40,000 households in the next two decades, Liverpool’s housing system faces mounting pressure. Challenges such as long housing waitlists and a growing homelessness crisis highlight the urgent need for decisive action. The council’s proposed plan aims to establish a robust pipeline of housing and regeneration projects, fostering improved outcomes for residents and communities.
The ambitious plan outlines the potential to build around 11,000 new homes while revitalizing approximately 10,000 currently vacant properties. This dual approach seeks to enhance housing supply and address urban blight across the city.
A council report emphasized the centrality of housing and regeneration to Liverpool’s future success, identifying them as critical components of inclusive growth. Nearly half of the city’s neighbourhoods rank among the most deprived in England, grappling with issues related to income, employment, health, and the living environment. Addressing these challenges requires innovative, coordinated efforts. Learn more with the Liverpool Strategic Advisory Panel papers.
To achieve its housing goals, the council plans to leverage its influence over large-scale developments, forge stronger partnerships with public and private stakeholders, and strategically release under-used municipal land. Additionally, the council could employ enforcement powers and acquire derelict properties to tackle stalled third-party developments and repurpose empty homes.
Liverpool Council’s View
Officials at Liverpool City Council believe that pending further feasibility studies, the plan could deliver the projected homes within five to ten years. A significant focus will also be placed on repurposing smaller, derelict land parcels that currently detract from local neighbourhoods through issues like fly-tipping and anti-social behaviour. These sites, while not independently viable, could be combined into larger, economically viable projects through collaborative, place-based strategies.
The report underscores the potential for packaging small council-owned and privately-held sites to create larger, cohesive development opportunities. Partnering with the private sector, these efforts could generate the critical mass needed to unlock their full potential and accelerate housing delivery.
Liverpool stands at a pivotal moment in its urban development journey. By implementing bold, strategic measures, the city can transform its housing landscape and provide sustainable, inclusive growth for its diverse communities. Read more on the official Liverpool regeneration news page.