Planning consent sought for Great Homer District Centre

A further stage has been taken in the proposed redevelopment of the Great Homer Street district centre on which there has already been extensive public consultation and comment.

St Modwen Properties PLC, who recently signed a development agreement with Liverpool City Council for the 45-acre scheme, has applied for outline planning consent for the £60 million development.

The planning application includes a 120,000 sq ft superstore, 55,000 sq ft of additional retail space, about 40,000 sq ft of community facilities, some 80,000 sq ft of light industrial accommodation, a new market hall and a range of apartments and houses totalling some 450 units.

Michelle Taylor, regional director of St Modwen, said: “We have been extremely encouraged by the response to our consultations which showed wide ranging support for our plans.

“It is good to have moved to this stage but there is still a lot of work to do. Planning will only be the first part of the process as the implementation of the scheme is likely to require road closures, compulsory purchase and relocation arrangements for the occupiers currently on site.

“With a following wind, we are planning a start on site date for the development in 2007” Coun. Peter Millea, Liverpool City Council’s Executive Member for Regeneration, said: “Project Jennifer (the original name for the Great Homer Street development proposals) is a crucial development for the regeneration of North Liverpool and the submission of a planning application is another big step forward for the scheme. Clearly, the application will be subject to the normal planning procedures but I hope that we will be able to see real progress in the coming months.”

For further information contact Chris Newsome (01925 825950).

Issued by Paul Raymer of Howle Chapman Raymer (0121-236-7771).