Work has begun on the construction of 200 new homes in Fazakerley, as Mayor Joe Anderson tries to meet his promise of 5,000 new homes in the city by 2016.
The development, Queen Mary Place on Long Lane, will be built in a joint venture between Countryside and Sigma Capital Group, Regeneration Liverpool’s housing partner. It will see an investment of £26 million.
The construction comes five months after Countryside announced the second phase of the £200m NGV scheme in Norris Green, with a proposed 130 new houses to the additional 218 already built in 2011.
Norris Green councillor, Alan Walker, is confident Anderson will reach his 5,000 pledge, telling JMU Journalism: “We know the Mayor is exceeding his targets significantly. This [the 200 homes] will complement and enhance what he has already achieved.”
Some 136 of the 200 new homes will be available for purchase though the government’s five percent deposit ‘help to buy’ scheme, with the other 64 being offered under a private rental initiative between, Sigma Capital, Barclays and Gatehouse Bank.
Sigma Capital’s chief operating officer, Graeme Hogg, said: “We are very excited that this project is finally under construction. The mixture of rental and for sale is new for the area – and allows us to satisfy real market need.”
Walker also welcomed the decision to privately rent a number of the homes, saying: “[The developers] have discovered a niche demand for private rented houses, which will be developed to a standard above what you would expect.”
Ian Kelley, managing director of Countryside’s partnerships North division, said he was pleased about the partnership between the companies.
He said: “The success of NGV Liverpool and the transformation of Norris Green since 2011 is a powerful testament to what can be achieved through collaborative working.
“We are very proud to be taking our partnership with Sigma and Liverpool City Council forward with the creation of Queen Mary Place and to further improving the quality and variety of homes across the city.”