Massive £33million plans to transform Bootle into a new "neighbourhood" are one step closer.
SAFE Regeneration - a community social enterprise and arts organisation - have put together a masterplan of their vision to change a six-acre area on Merton Road, next to the Leeds and Liverpool Canal.
The proposed developments include 107 affordable family homes, an 80-bed extra care facility for residents aged 55 and over, improved leisure facilities, a new microbrewery and a hub/business centre.
Jane Dawe, the community partnerships manager at SAFE, said the plans are not just about building houses but were the UK's largest community-led neighbourhood development.
She told the ECHO: "The neighbourhood includes an 80-bed extra care facility for residents of 55 and over who may need a little support over time, 107 affordable family homes, the new SAFE hub/business centre and as well as the improved leisure facilities there will be a new microbrewery for our good friends at Stamps Brewery.
"The Lock & Quay will undergo refurbishment but will stay in its existing building - we listened to what our community have told us they want, as there is so much local history wrapped up in the pub.
"This isn’t just about building houses – it’s co-creating a neighbourhood which has been shaped over the years through many consultation events, it is a truly community-led vision, the largest of its kind in the UK.”
But now, the development, dubbed #destinationbootle, is one step closer to coming to fruition as architects Ellis Williams have won a bid to masterplan the project alongside Clancy Consulting, SI Sealy and BCA Landscape Architects.
SAFE Regeneration is delivering the project in partnership with Sefton Council, Regenerus and the Canal and Rivers Trust and also has the support of Homes England and the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.
On the site SAFE Regeneration already has a microbrewery and the Lock and Quay. It also houses workshops and studios.
The organisation has already received £700,000 for the project from the Lottery's Power to Change, Homes England Community-led Housing fund.
Brian Dawe, CEO of SAFE said the plans had been shaped by local people from the area and were created to meet their needs.
He said: "Everything we have achieved, we have done working in partnership.
"For over a decade SAFE Regeneration and its partners have worked tirelessly within the Bootle community to design and develop a masterplan for the regeneration of the canal-side area.
"The result is a neighbourhood which has been shaped by local people, designed for local needs and will be transformative for the canal-side and beyond.
"We are delighted that the development has received over 700K worth of funding support from Power to Change, Homes England Community-led Housing pot and the Liverpool City Region Combined Authorities Special Investment Fund, to take this project through to full planning within the next two months.
"This support has enabled SAFE to appoint the #destinationbootle delivery team – a core group of professionals who will work together to ensure the development process runs smoothly and efficiently. This is excellent news for Bootle and the City Region beyond."
A spokesperson for Ellis Williams said: "The site is really special and the project has a real potential to bring positive community led change to the area.
"As architects we are delighted to be part of the SAFE #destinationbootle journey."
The plans will be submitted to Sefton Council's planning committee in due course.
