The Florrie has unveiled new plans to create a community led scheme in Dingle
How the scheme could look (Brock Carmichael)
Almost 100 new homes, workspaces and a new public courtyard could be created in the heart of L8 through a project led by a community hub organisation. The Florence Institute, known as The Florrie, has unveiled plans to take on three pieces of land from Liverpool Council to deliver new affordable and social housing.
The Florrie Community Led Housing scheme is part of a national grassroots movement that empowers communities to take control of their housing needs. The Florrie model ensures that the transfer of land under this process remains in community ownership, protecting affordability for future generations.
Working with the Sovini group, the Florrie is seeking to build 97 new homes, managed workspace for 11 SME’s, dedicated green open spaces and a public civic courtyard space centred around their historic grade II listed base in Dingle. Proposals for the housing development have been worked on since 2019, with Sovini to take on management of the homes moving forward.
Kirsty Woo, Florrie director, said: “It’s an exciting time for everyone involved in the CLT and the transfer of the land is a major step forward. We are excited to start seeing our plans over the last six years move forward to the next phase.”
With pre-development funding secured from Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, The Florrie has been able to engage architects Brock Carmichael to further develop the plans. Cllr Graham Morgan, Liverpool City Region cabinet member for housing and regeneration, said: “In the midst of a housing crisis it is vital that we explore innovative ways to create the affordable social housing we so urgently need.
How the scheme could look (Brock Carmichael)
“This transfer of land to a well-loved community-led organisation to enable them to build nearly 100 homes is exactly the kind of creative approach we need to adopt. That’s why we are supporting the project’s development and I look forward to seeing it become a reality.
“This new chapter continues The Florrie’s legacy as a charity rooted in the belief that strong communities start with people-first places. The impact of this development extends far beyond housing.
“It will act as a catalyst for new investment, create employment opportunities and support enterprise growth – all of which will help to keep wealth circulating within the local community and drive long lasting, positive change.
“The transfer of the land will not only promote economic growth for the wider community, it will help to provide financial security for the charity.”
The Florrie(Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)
Cllr Nick Small, Liverpool Council cabinet member for development and growth, said: “I’m delighted for The Florrie that their proposal for affordable and social housing in the heart of the L8 community can now move to the final stage of our community led housing process. Their business case was of a high quality and financially robust, and the relationship they have developed with The Sovini Housing Group underscores the level of professionalism they’ve applied to making this dream a reality.
“The final phase is to develop a planning application and then the transfer of the land and we look forward to having further positive dialogue with The Florrie over the coming months.”