Liverpool’s opposition party slams decision not to move forward with huge plan for Liverpool North
Plans for a new town called Liverpool North have not been taken forward by government(Image: Reach plc)
The Labour government has been accused of “abandoning Liverpool” after the city’s ambitious plans for a new town called ‘Liverpool North’ were rejected. Last year the council put forward plans for an entirely new town to be created across north Liverpool towards Bootle, with a vision to transform numerous brownfield sites and build thousands of homes.
The proposed new development – to be known as Liverpool North – would span 5km from just north of Liverpool city centre, across Everton, Anfield and Kirkdale and into Bootle. The proposal would lead to the development of a number of brownfield sites and encompass key locations along the route including Everton FC’s new £500m stadium at Bramley Moore Dock and the £20m Bootle New Strand development project.
Liverpool City Council put forward a submission for what is known as New Town Status from the government. But yesterday (Sunday), the government announced that 12 bids for New Town Status had been shortlisted and the Liverpool North plans did not make the cut.
Now the city’s opposition Liberal Democrat party have accused the Labour government of “abandoning” Liverpool, the city where they are currently holding their annual conference.
The Lib Dems claimed the failure to move forward with Liverpool North is “not just a setback” but a “slap in the face for Liverpool.”
Liverpool Lib Dem leader Cllr Carl Cashman said: “This is a disgrace. Labour leaders told us that Liverpool’s best chance was having Labour in power from the town hall to Westminster. Well, we’ve got that now – and still Liverpool is snubbed.
“The North New Town project was a once-in-a-generation chance to regenerate huge swathes of our city. Instead, Labour’s Government has turned its back, proving once and for all that their promises to Liverpool are hollow.
“The gall of Labour to try and wrap itself in glory at their conference in Liverpool off the back of two major snubs to the city defies expectations. Either they don’t understand the optics, or they just don’t care.
“Liverpool deserves better than broken promises and backroom excuses. The Liberal Democrats will fight to put this city back on the national agenda, because we will never accept Liverpool being treated as second-class.”
Cllr Cashman’s party have now demanded that the government “immediately reverses this reckless decision” and commits funding for the Liverpool North Town in full.
On Sunday, the Labour Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, Steve Rotheram, admitted that Liverpool North not being selected for New Town Status was “incredibly frustrating.”
He said: “This is one of the biggest regeneration opportunities in the country — and today’s decision is a missed chance for government to back communities that have been overlooked for far too long.”
However Mayor Rotheram and Liverpool City Council leader Liam Robinson have vowed to continue with the plans despite the knockback from government.
Mayor Rotheram added: “Regeneration here hasn’t waited for Westminster. From Everton’s new stadium at Bramley Moore to the transformation of Bootle Strand, we’ve already begun reshaping the future of Liverpool North — working with our local partners, without central government support.”
Cllr Robinson added: “We are absolutely committed to delivering transformational change for Liverpool North.
“Naturally we are disappointed that our bid has not been successful, but doing nothing was never an option for us.
“We know the revitalisation of communities across a huge area, from Bootle through Kirkdale, to Anfield and Everton, will give the whole region a massive economic boost, provide thousands of affordable homes and create new districts providing employment, leisure and educational opportunities.
“Therefore we are already be working with our partners to find ways of delivering the scheme regardless. It may take longer to achieve, but I know there is the collective determination and will to make it happen.”