Kirkby town centre development plans progressing

Development plans in Kirkby town centre continue to progress, council chiefs have said. In less than two years from taking ownership of the town centre, Knowsley Council said the new retail development has progressed at pace – despite the pandemic.Now two of the units are open, Taco Bell and KFC, with ?the Morrisons superstore, petrol filling station and Home Bargains set to open shortly.Plans are also underway for the multi-screen cinema scheme, including food and drink outlets, with the second phase of ground investigation works recently being completed.With the other priorities progressing, the council said it recently went out to tender for the land south of Cherryfield Drive, a 55.7 acre brownfield site, as part of the council’s housing land disposal programme.Following a robust evaluation of the nine tenders received, the council’s cabinet will now consider on Wednesday 8 September the granting of an exclusivity agreement to the recommended preferred bidder – Barratt Developments and David Wilson Homes – for a period of six months. This will enable them time to carry out further due diligence, along with consultation and engagement with communities prior to any planning application being submitted.Cllr Tony Brennan, cabinet member for regeneration and economic development, said: “We have ambitious plans for Kirkby and importantly, we are taking on board the views of our communities in helping to shape those plans.”