Norma Williams, right, Chair of the Kensington Regeneration Board and Norma Lee, Chair of the Housing Focus Issues Group in the soon to be demolished Thorburn Street _320
CONDEMNED houses in Edge Hill were primed ahead of their imminent demolition yesterday.
The first of around 900 houses, most of them in Edge Hill, are being gutted before they are bulldozed under Kensington regeneration plans.
The scheme is being led by New Heartlands, Merseyside’s housing market renewal outfit, along with Liverpool City Council and local residents.
Bulldozers will move in to clear a block from Dorothy Street to Durning Road, flanked by Edge Lane and Wavertree Road. Hundreds of houses will be flattened within 12 months.
Developers hope to save some of the unique architectural features – such as date stones and decorative sandstone works – to use in the new public spaces.
Previous occupiers in the area were given first option on homes in nearby developments in Tunnel Road, Gilead Street and Lomond Road.
Their old houses will be replaced with 300 brand-new low-carbon family homes with gardens, safe routes to schools, a community hub and space for businesses and shops. Developer Bellway Homes hopes to be on-site next spring.
In a “domino” effect, homeowners living in properties earmarked for later demolition will move into the new estate. Their houses will then be cleared.
Norma Lee, chair of the Edge Hill Housing and Issues Focus Group, will move from her home of 49 years on Janet Street to a Bellway house.
The demolition marks the end of years of consultations Mrs Lee helped spearhead. Her neighbours and nearby community will move en masse into the new homes to avoid breaking up local ties. But she admitted her “heart” will stay behind in the home where she raised her three children.
Mrs Lee told the Daily Post: “Our focus has been for the community and the residents that live here.
“Every decision I make comes from the heart. They are the hardest decisions that I have to make. My heart will still be left on that street.
“But I am looking forward to a new start. It’s been a long process, but it’s been worth it.”
The “master plan” for the replacement estate is currently being poured over by Liverpool council officers.
That is likely to be signed off over the coming weeks and the council and Bellway will make a reserved matters planning application.
Marilyn Fielding, Liverpool council’s executive member for safer, stronger communities, said: “We are delighted that the transformation of Edge Hill is now becoming a reality.
“Pulling together we can build on the existing strengths of this community to make it a fantastic place to live.”
