Liverpool sets out blueprint for the future

A vision of how Liverpool will be developed over the next 15 years or so has reached a crucial stage.

The Core Strategy sets out the long term vision, strategy and objectives governing future development, as well as the broad locations for delivering housing, employment, retail, leisure, essential public services and transport.

It is an important element in the Local Development Framework, the development plan for the city and sets out the key planning policies which will determine how Liverpool develops.

The strategy takes into account representations which were made during public consultations in 2008 and 2010. Now a final round of consultation will take place before the final strategy is agreed.
“This is a vital document, “said Councillor Malcolm Kennedy, Liverpool City Council cabinet member for regeneration and transport. “It will guide how our city is going to look and develop through the first quarter of the 21st century.

“We have already consulted widely about the strategy but this is an evolving situation and views can change and develop. This is the last chance people have of making their ideas known so I would urge everybody to look at the strategy and contact us with their ideas.”

The council will submit the Core Strategy – taking into account views expressed - to the Secretary of State so that it can be considered by an independent inspector who will decide whether or not it is ‘sound’. The inspector will hold an examination in public in the autumn.

The strategy is based on the following principles - that by 2028 Liverpool will have:
*A strong economy – by ensuring sustainable economic growth, particularly across business sectors and areas with strong potential for growth
*Residential neighbourhoods that meet housing needs – with significant housing and population growth, focused in the areas of greatest social and economic regeneration need, and an improvement in the quality and diversity of the City’s housing offer
*Vital and viable shopping centres – providing a diverse range of quality shops, services, community, health and education facilities, which are highly accessible and meet the everyday needs of local communities
*An attractive and safe city with a strong local identity – resulting from the protection and enhancement of the city’s unique historic and architectural environment and the achievement of high quality and inclusive design in new development. Liverpool will be an attractive, distinctive, healthy and sustainable city for those who live, work in and visit
*High quality green infrastructure - creating more attractive residential neighbourhoods; greater biodiversity; resilience to climate change, better flood risk management; and more opportunities for sport and recreation and greater health and wellbeing
*Efficiently used resources – especially by prioritising the use of vacant and derelict land and buildings and ensuring that development avoids adverse environmental impact and is adaptive and resilient to climate change
*More sustainable accessibility – by supporting the improvement of the City’s transport infrastructure and ensuring that all new development is highly accessible by sustainable modes of transport, and
*Improved social inclusion and equal opportunities - especially in the communities where development is to take place.