A PUBLIC inquiry will be held into plans for the £150m Project Jennifer regeneration scheme, after Liverpool City Council and developer St Modwen said there was a “robust case” for the scheme to progress.
The project, which includes a Sainsbury’s superstore, and could create more than 1,000 jobs, can only go ahead if the council secures a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) to buy the land it needs.
In August, the Daily Post reported that the project – already years behind schedule – faced more delays as affected businesses objected to the CPO, saying they were not being offered enough money.
But St Modwen and the council say they have now decided to push ahead with the CPO. And, because it is disputed, they will ask the Government to hold an inquiry into it.
The inquiry is likely to be held next summer, though negotiations will continue with affected parties.
Liverpool City Council’s cabinet member for regeneration and transport, Cllr Malcolm Kennedy, said: “We have completed a thorough review into the objections raised to the CPO and believe that a robust case exists for Project Jennifer.
“We have listened to businesses and we remain committed to ensuring that fair compensation is agreed with all land and business owners, to allow businesses to relocate to suitable alternative premises and to enable this vital scheme to progress.
“A huge amount of work, dedication and effort has gone into bringing the plans to this stage. The partners are continuing to work together closely, to bring forward the transformational change needed in the area.”
Michelle Taylor, regional director at St. Modwen, said funding for the scheme was in place and that, if the CPO was approved, detailed planning permissions would be sought so work on site could start in 2012.
She said: “This is the scheme that the local community wants and it will act as an important catalyst for future regeneration in North Liverpool.
“For these reasons, Liverpool City Council and St Modwen are confident that the scheme will succeed.”
The first phase of Project Jennifer will include the 100,000sq ft Sainsbury’s store, another 80,000sq ft of retail space, an open market and a public transport interchange.Work on the next phases, including those in the Marwood and Dryden Street areas, will begin after phase one is finished.
St Modwen said yesterday: “The scheme partners anticipate that land outside of Phase One will not be required for at least two years, minimising disruption and allowing businesses to continue trading until the land is required for development.”
