Regenda 300-homes scheme up before planners

Social housing provider Regenda’s scheme for more than 300 homes in Liverpool has once again been tipped for approval.The Liverpool-headquartered housing association is seeking permission to demolish existing properties on the Grove Street Estate.In their place will be six buildings ranging from three to nine storeys, creating 304 residential units with approximately 4,000 sq ft of flexible commercial space.The estate almost entirely consists of socially rented properties and is owned by Liverpool City Council but leased to The Regenda Group, who currently manage and maintain the houses.The buildings on site comprise of three-storey flat blocks containing a total of 146 one and two bedroom apartments, 144 of which are socially rented.If approval is granted by Liverpool City Council’s planning committee on 11 October, the new units will be created, including the reprovision of all existing socially rented homes on the site.The proposed tenure mix across the masterplan is 144 social rent apartments, three affordable rent, 84 rent to buy, 50 PRS (market) apartments and 23 private sale.In March, the application went before the committee and was granted subject to a section 106 legal agreement. Since then, it has become apparent that a change in the wording of the agreement in respect of affordable housing is necessary.Once again the project has been recommended to be approved subject to the section 106.A council report due before planners added: “It is considered that the proposed scheme offers a high quality, residential masterplan that will provide upgraded homes for social tenants, and new affordable and private homes that may attract more people to live in the city centre and includes a range of accessible and adaptable homes.”It will reinstate the urban grain, improve pedestrian and cycle connectivity, and as such will have significant regeneration benefits.”