Liverpool regional mayor Steve Rotherham has been working with local authorities and housing associations in the region to identify more than 300 sites on which more than 63,000 homes could be built 鈥� with nearly 31,000 in Liverpool alone.
The Liverpool City Region (LCR) Housing Pipeline sets out proposals that could accelerate housing delivery and regeneration. It follows a recent announcement of 拢700m for new social and affordable housing in the Liverpool region.
The combined authority will this week be asked to approve work carried out to date to progress the pipeline to deliver the new homes, and endorse the approach to prioritise development funding for projects within the pipeline.
Endorsement of the pipeline would enable detailed work to proceed on preparing the sites for investment and delivery, coordinated with wider Combined Authority investments in transport infrastructure and economic development and support from Homes England for prioritised sites through the Strategic Place Partnership.聽
Jointly with Homes England, the Combined Authority is already investing 拢1.3m to bring forward a major programme of 309 priority sites across Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens and Wirral, identified through a strategic place partnership (SPP) with Homes England. At the January 23rd meeting, members will be asked to approve the pipeline and endorse the creation of a Housing Investment Fund, aimed at unlocking stalled sites and accelerating delivery.
An estimated 拢1bn is needed to support 139 projects while the full pipeline of 309 sites could require support totalling 拢2bn. To accelerate the housebuilding and regeneration programme, the combined authority will also be asked to endorse work to establish a mayoral development corporation (MDC).
The MDC will initially focus on a North Docks MDA but officers will look to develop a model that can be rolled out efficiently across other priority regeneration areas within the Liverpool City Region.
Mayor Steve Rotheram said: 鈥淩ight now, too many families across our city region are being priced out or left waiting while good sites sit stalled and unused. This plan is about changing that. By using our powers, backing our local councils and working hand-in-hand with housing associations and Homes England, we can unlock difficult sites, get spades in the ground and build the homes our communities actually need.
鈥淲ith the biggest investment in social and affordable housing our region has ever seen, we鈥檙e proving that when decisions are taken locally, we can move faster, attract investment and deliver real change 鈥� not just for today, but for the next generation too.鈥�
Homes England northern director Duncan Inglis said: 鈥淭hrough our strategic place partnership, we鈥檙e helping to tackle the barriers to development and ensure that these homes are built where they鈥檙e needed most 鈥� supporting vibrant communities and sustainable growth.鈥�
Building new homes in urban areas is mainly held back by financial viability. Rising construction prices, higher borrowing rates, and stricter building rules mean many projects cost more to build than their value when finished. Currently, the pipeline includes a 拢1bn public subsidy request to support 139 of 309 planned projects. Further review is needed for the remaining sites, but delivering all the homes in the pipeline could require close to 拢2bn in public investment, according to the mayor鈥檚 office.
The next stage of developing the pipeline will involve working with the wider housing market to find ways to speed up delivery of sites in the pipeline. As part of this market engagement, the combined authority is hosting a meeting on 5th February, bringing together all interested parties, including contractors, developers, investors, housing associations and local authorities.聽 This is set to be the launch event for a new 鈥楲CR Developer Forum鈥�, intended to build confidence in the market and support developers.
Breakdown of pipeline
- Halton: 71 sites, 9,930 units
- Knowsley: 31 sites, 2,999 units
- Liverpool: 71 sites, 31,264 units
- Sefton: 48 sites, 7,723 units
- St Helens: 45 sites, 5,602 units
- Wirral: 44 sites, 6,526 units
- Totals: 310 sites, 64,044 units