£150 million Project Jennifer gets CPO from Liverpool City Council
A £150m project to transform part of north Liverpool moved closer last night after Liverpool council made a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) on land for Project Jennifer.|
The project is set to create 1,100 jobs and regenerate a deprived part of Everton but complications and delays have set it back seven years.
But the CPO means the council’s development partner, St Modwen, can now buy land to revamp a 45 acre site around Great Homer Street.
Michelle Taylor, regional director at St Modwen, said: “There is still a great deal of work to be done but, with the CPO process officially underway and providing there are no major objections received, the scheme could start on site as early as 2012.”
Supermarket giant Sainsbury’s will build the city’s largest food store on the site which also house a market hall, 481 new homes, a health centre, a new library and some commercial space. Michelle added:
“Thanks to the huge amount of public good will towards the plans, Sainsbury’s commitment to the scheme and the dedication of our partners Liverpool City Council, Project Jennifer is once again moving forward on its own merits.”
After objections, homes on Skirving Street will not be included in the CPO and if any challenges are made to the order they would be referred to a public enquiry to take place later this year.
Although the council approved the issuing of the CPO in 2008, the legal process stalled after a bitter supermarket war between Tesco and Sainsbury’s, which ended in the High Court.
The land dispute and delays meant when work finally starts on Project Jennifer next year it will be seven years late.
But today’s news will be welcomed by the area which will see 600 new jobs created at the Sainsbury’s and 500 construction jobs.
Liverpool council’s cabinet member for regeneration, councillor Malcolm Kennedy, said: “It’s great news that this hugely important scheme, supported by the local community, is moving forward.
“It will transform the Great Homer Street area and make a massive difference to people’s lives.
“The community has needed something like this for a long time so it’s fantastic that we are now a significant step closer to it becoming a reality.
“I am optimistic that we will now see this scheme progressing very quickly.”
St Modwen has begun negotiations with land owners and several properties have already been purchased.
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