Details emerge about Redrow's controversial Priory housing
Redrow has submitted an outline planning application to Liverpool City Council for the controversial development of 160 homes on the 33.4-acre site south of Allerton Priory, Liverpool. Redrow's plans have been viewed as highly controversial, with residents, local councillors and the Liverpool Mayor all signalling their opposition. The design and access statement claims that the proposed layout takes into consideration the setting of the listed Priory, and will retain the majority of the perimeter and internal trees.

North West Property Richard Frost

Fresh details have emerged about Redrow's controversial proposals to build up to 160 homes on green space next to the grade II*-listed Allerton Priory in south Liverpool.

Redrow has submitted an outline planning application to Liverpool City Council seeking permission to create up to 160 three- to five-bedroom homes and accompanying green space on a 33.4-acre site (pictured below) immediately to the south of Allerton Priory. The site currently comprises open land and mature trees and is enclosed within a boundary wall that originally defined the extent of the grounds of the Priory.

Allerton Priory was designed by Alfred Waterhouse, who was also the architect behind Manchester Town Hall and London's Natural History Museum, and built in the late 1860s.

A Redrow design and access statement in support of the application said: "Addressing the setting of the listed Priory has been fundamental in the development of the proposed scheme and the proposed layout has been heavily influenced by this.

"A large area of public open space is proposed towards the centre of the site, creating a buffer between the Priory and new development. Low-density houses are arranged informally around this central open space, creating a soft informal frontage.

"Houses are also orientated towards the boundary trees, creating an open aspect to the layout."

The application envisages three main blocks of housing and four 'distinct character areas' known as the Boulevard (pictured below), the Hamlet, Garden Lane and Park Avenue to provide green space for residents.

The statement added: "The vision for the site is to create a high-quality residential development set within a mature landscape. The proposed layout incorporates a series of distinct character areas which provide variety to the proposed development and give a varied appearance to the scheme."

Redrow's plans to build homes on the 33.4-acre site have proven highly controversial, with residents, local councillors and Liverpool mayor Joe Anderson having previously signalled their opposition.

A spokesman for Redrow 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 ten 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."

He 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 4.3x 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."