Liverpool demolition order approved

Tamar Wilner, Regen.net, 16 August 2007

Communities secretary Hazel Blears has authorised Liverpool City Council's CPO for the Picton area.

It is the third of three CPOs clearing the way for pathfinder New Heartlands to rebuild neighbourhoods in the city.

The decision was met by scathing criticism from Steve Radford, leader of the council's Liberal Party group.

"It shows the new minister is as contemptuous of the rights of working class people who live in their own homes as the previous minister," Radford said, referring to ex-communities secretary Ruth Kelly.

"The only reason why the area is unfit is because this city council in collaboration with the Labour government has decided to make the area as run down as possible... to make money from land sales to private builders," Radford added.

But a New Heartlands spokeswoman said: "The regeneration masterplan, put together by Liverpool City Council with local residents and other stakeholders, will deliver improved housing and more choice for residents.

"The redevelopment programme has been planned to ensure that all affected residents who want to will be able to buy or rent a new or refurbished home in the neighbourhood."

Wider plans

Kelly backed CPOs for two other Liverpool neighbourhoods, Edge Hill and Anfield/Breckfield, last April.

At the time she said she needed more information to make a decision on Picton.

New Heartlands's plans for Picton, together with developer Bellway, include the building of 450 homes, community facilities, open space, roads and a cycle network.

In a decision letter on behalf of Blears, the Government Office for the North West's Jane Doyle said two plots would be excluded from the CPO.

The pathfinder spokeswoman said the exclusion would have a minimal impact on regeneration plans, as the plots contain just two semi-detached houses and one church.