Redrow faces opposition on Liverpool green belt application
Redrow Homes has applied to Liverpool City Council to build 160 new homes within a green belt area next to Allerton Priory to meet rising demand. The application has been met with stiff opposition from local residents who claim the green belt is 'protected land' and cannot be built upon.

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Plans have been lodged with Liverpool council to build 160 new homes on a “hidden” area of green space.

If approved the application by Redrow would see three, four and five-bedroom homes built on land next to Allerton Priory, off Woolton Road.

Redrow Homes submitted an outline planning application to the council to develop the 33 acre site – which they describe as “currently privately owned and unused”.

But even before the plans were submitted local residents had slammed the proposals.

Nearby resident and dad-of-one Steve Hopley, 55, had told the ECHO earlier this year: “This land is a green wedge which is supposed to be protected.

“Putting houses here would be an act of vandalism. There are thousands of vacant houses in Liverpool, we don’t need new ones here.”

While Mirna Juarez, a green space campaigner and newly elected Liberal Democrat councillor, said she believed the scheme disregarded the Unitary Development Plan and its commitment to protect the greenbelt.

Local Labour councillors Rachel O'Byrne and Sharon O'Connor also say they will oppose the plans.

Cllr O'Byrne said: "We said we would consult with residents about this and they said they want us to oppose it if it goes to the planning committee, which we will do."

The outline application – which gives limited detail of the final scheme – submitted to the council is “for the development of land for the erection of up to 160 no. dwellings and open space with all matters reserved except for access”.

Redrow defended its plans saying they would help the city meet local housing need and that much of the land would remain as green space.

A spokesperson for house builder said: “Our application is for a mix of three, four and five-bedroom homes.

“Almost half of the site (15 acres) would remain as green space, including 10 acres of publicly accessible parkland, plus informal footpaths, areas of amenity and meadow grassland for informal play and enhanced biodiversity.

“The masterplan we’ve created envisages the retention of the majority of the perimeter and internal trees.”

The Redrow spokesperson added: “Liverpool has a significant housing target to meet and this proposal would help to improve the housing land supply in the city.

“It would also create and support employment – official estimates say 4.3 direct, indirect and induced jobs are supported for every new home built – boost the local economy through increased spending and generate additional council tax revenue for the city.”