Derwent’s Edge Lane plans may still go to public enquiry
Derwent Holdings has secured permission from council planners for its £200m redevelopment of the Edge Lane retail park in Liverpool, but the project may still go to a public enquiry, reports the Liverpool Daily Post. The company had gained approval for its proposals, which will create 600,000 sq ft of retail space – 40% more than currently in operation.
Late objections from Knowsley council were over-ridden and the plans are now being referred to the government for final approval. The letter of objection from Knowsley could delay the scheme by a year, said Liverpool council leader Joe Anderson. Knowsley council feels the Edge Lane project could affect its plans for investment in Kirkby. Mr. Anderson had been working on co-operation between the councils – he had said Liverpool would not object to the revised plans for Kirkby town centre and ensured that Liverpool did not object to the £4.5bn Wirral Waters scheme, the LDP notes.
Demolition work is ready to begin, the LDP says, but construction will not start in earnest until the government gives its verdict. Derwent Holdings said the redevelopment would take four years and would provide 1,500 new jobs.
This is the best news I’ve heard. The council just pushed through these plans without insisting on “errors” in Derwent’s application being corrected.
Derwent and DPP claim to have had “local stakeholders” input into the project but consistently failed to produce any evidence of consultation with the people in an area almost surrounded by their industrial site.
The Scheme should happen, but not in its present form. I am most annoyed by the council’s agreeing to remove Rathbone Park (justified by Derwent replacing it with one 2/3rds the size 1/2km away).
The Council also dismissed a counter offer from “Land Securities” – they should have at least given this due diligence.
I’ve offered my input to DPP and AEW, but have been left in the cold and just plain lied to. If they were to listen to me, I could make the scheme much better for local residents and Derwent.
-AS