Huyton Village transformation moves a step closer

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Huyton Village transformation moves a step closer

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Plans which will see Huyton Village transformed into a vibrant centre with a mixed-use commercial district including a hotel, office space, affordable town centre living and new leisure and cultural facilities have moved a step closer.

Knowsley Council's regeneration plans for Huyton will create a completely re-imagined village centre, with a new village green at its heart.

The redevelopment will sit alongside the existing shopping area, creating an additional space which supports the high street businesses and increases footfall into the Village Centre.

The high street itselfwill benefit from a new community hub, including a library, community facilities and spaces for leisure, skills and cultural activities.

And there would be a new surface car park, replacing the current multi-storey, with EV charging, provision for cycles and better links to public transport.

Knowsley Council's Cabinet met on Wednesday, 20 November to agree to press ahead with the ambitious vision for Huyton, giving the green light to the necessary site demolition and enabling works which will become the essential first steps.

The Council has seen the enormous benefits to local communities and the local economy that were unlocked following its wholescale redevelopment of Kirkby Town Centre, and the opening of Prescot's Shakespeare North Playhouse, and is now determined to achieve the same success story in Huyton, too.

Currently, a large amount of land in Huyton town centre is given over to a collection of ageing Council buildings, including the seven storey Huyton Municipal Building, constructed in the 1970s. With ways of working having changed significantly over the past 50 years, these buildings are no longer fit for purpose, and have become expensive to maintain as well as inefficient as the council looks to move to net zero.

By demolishing these old buildings and consolidating the Council's offices into one new smaller, more fit for purpose and energy efficient office building for council staff,almost 7 acres of prime town centre land is released for development.

Cllr Tony Brennan, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Development at Knowsley Council, said: "This is a really exciting plan for Huyton, and a much needed one. We know residents want a vibrant town centre at the heart of their community - somewhere they can shop, meet friends for a coffee or enjoy an evening out with a nice meal.

"In recent years, we've been successful in attracting new leisure and hospitality businesses to Huyton Village and this ambitious vision really takes that to the next level, transforming Huyton into a desirable destination with a bustling population, hotel and community facilities.

"I also know a lot of people will welcome the creation of a significant number of affordable smaller homes - something we know is much needed in the borough."

The plan for Huyton includes, in its first phase, 72 new one and two bedroom apartments for affordable rent; a 130 bedroomed  quality brand hotel, 85,000sq ft of net zero commercial office space (into which the Council would relocate its headquarters), a new village green - including the relocation of the Cenotaph, a new surface level car park with sustainable transport facilities, a new library and community hub in the heart of the Village Centre and improved public realm and wayfinding across the Village Centre. Later phases would include up to 150,000sq ft of commercial office space and / or a further 300 homes, all helping to increase footfall in the town centre and supporting the local economy.

Council officers have now been tasked with securing the funding needed to deliver the plans in full - with a further update expected to be brought back before councillors by autumn next year. An initial investment of £3.6m will progress the development opportunity to technical design and planning stage, which is essential in efforts to secure funding and investment to deliver the scheme.

Under the previous Government, Huyton Village missed out on a range of funding including the Future High Streets Fund, Towns Fund and Levelling Up Fund despite being named as a Priority One area. But forecasting shows that a transformation on the scale being proposed will add £62m in economic benefits for the surrounding neighbourhoods and wider borough - with around 126 jobs created (82 during construction and 44 once complete); 1,000 local jobs safeguarded and an extra £2.7m being spent in Huyton Village annually. Discussions are already underway with the new Government, Homes England and the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority on potential funding streams to fast track this development.

Cllr Brennan added: "The time is right for us to think big to deliver for Huyton Village. We have seen the impact that the redevelopment in Kirkby has had and now we want to accomplish the same for Huyton, too.

"We have always said that we are ambitious for our borough, and this transformation will be a once in a generation opportunity to revitalise Huyton and create a vibrant town centre with thriving businesses, high quality leisure offer, hotel and town centre living that will secure its prosperity for years to come."

The redevelopment of the site of the current Council offices will be delivered under the new name: St Michael's Place, which reflects the local church and it's links back to the anglo-saxon times.

The Council has already appointed a Development Partner, Genr8 Kajima Regeneration, to help to progress the plans.

Mike Smith, Director at Genr8 Kajima Regeneration Ltd said: "As Knowsley Council's Development Management Partner, we are pleased with this major step forward for the redevelopment of Huyton Village and are looking forward to getting started.

"This key funding approval to planning demonstrates the Council and GKRL's commitment to this bold and forward- thinking reimagining of the village centre.

"It signifies the first important step in delivery and will only enable further regeneration across the neighbourhood. St Michael's Place will create real social value whilst delivering integral public realm and will no doubt serve as a model for similar communities across the region."

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