![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/0_Derelict-houses-on-Ducie-StreetToxtethLiverpoolPic-Andrew-Teebay.jpg\")
The state of the properties on Ducie Street in Toxteth have been a major concern for the local community for some time(Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)<\/p>\nExclusive: A stalled eyesore development has been causing frustration in the Toxteth area for years – now actions is being takenThe state of the properties on Ducie Street in Toxteth have been a major concern for the local community for some time(Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)<\/p>\n
Liverpool City Council has started legal action against a developer it has accused of sitting on a set of eyesore properties in an ‘abandoned’ street that have frustrated a local community for years.<\/p>\n
The ECHO<\/a> has reported on the situation involving a number of damaged and vacant properties in Ducie Street in the Granby<\/a> area of Toxteth<\/a>. Ducie Street is one of the Granby Four Streets found in the heart of Toxteth, where numerous improvements have taken place in recent years thanks to the efforts of a community organisation.<\/p>\n But despite these improvements, Ducie Street has remained a depressing eyesore and a magnet for fly-tipping and anti-social behaviour amid an ongoing row with a developer.<\/p>\n In 2017, the ECHO revealed how Liverpool City Council leased the street to private developers West Tree Estates Limited for nil value<\/a> under a delegated decision. The street was part of a portfolio of 50 properties and plots around the Granby area given to the developers for nil or close to nil value<\/a>.<\/p>\n Planning permission for 80 apartments on Ducie Street was subsequently granted to West Tree Estates in 2020, in a move which drew plenty of local opposition. Despite regular community campaigning and attempts to wrestle control of the scheme for the good of local people – there has been no movement or improvements since the application was approved, despite agreed timescales for work to be carried out.<\/p>\n But now Liverpool City Council has started action against West Tree Estates in an attempt to resolve the situation involving the Ducie Street properties as well as some land in the adjacent Jermyn Street. Notices have been placed on the vacant properties, warning West Tree that it is in breach of a covenant on the leases it has for the houses in the area.<\/p>\n The council has told the company it is now required to remedy the situation within a ‘reasonable time’ as part of a legal process. In a statement the local authority told the ECHO: \u201cThe council is committed to resolving the number of stalled development sites across the city, and bring them forward for much-needed new homes.<\/p>\n \u201cWhere sites are left undeveloped, too often they have become a blight on communities, attracting anti-social behaviour and fly-tipping. The council will do all it can within its own powers and pursue developers that are not fulfilling their obligations.<\/p>\n \u201cAs part of this commitment, the council has now officially begun a process to resolve a stalled scheme in Toxteth. The council has written to notify West Tree Estates Ltd that, under section 146 of the Property Act 1925, it is in breach of a covenant on the leases to a number of properties in Ducie Street and Jermyn Street.”<\/p>\n The statement added: \u201cThe leases granted to West Tree Estates Ltd on 24 properties in total, which date back to 2019 and 2020, state that remediation works should have been completed within a maximum of 36 months. The promised development has not come forward in the required timescale.”<\/p>\n The council said the lack of activity in bringing the properties back into use has had a “detrimental impact on the surrounding community”. The local authority says it shares the concerns raised by local residents and their ward councillor Lucille Harvey, who has been lobbying for action for a number of years.<\/p>\n Cllr Harvey praised the work of the Granby Four Streets Community Land Trust, which has helped to revive a number of properties in what are known as the famous Granby Four Street. These streets include Beaconsfield Street, Cairns Street, Jermyn Street and Ducie Street.<\/p>\n While the majority of those streets have seen improvements, Ducie Street in particular has remained a major issue, hence the council’s action there. Cllr Harvey said: “Those streets look wonderful but Ducie Street is in such a state of disrepair. It looks abandoned and has now become a fly-tipping hotspot. It really brings the area down. It is horrible for local residents.”<\/p>\n “This is a priority for everyone in Liverpool 8. We need to get this situation resolved as quickly as possible.” She added: “I spoke to (Council Leader Liam Robinson) about my concerns. It is good that the council has been given a clean bill of health after recent issues but people need to see these improvements in their local area.”<\/p>\n Liverpool City Council said it “can now begin legal action to unlock much-needed development on these sites.” A spokesperson added: “The company is now required, within a reasonable time, to remedy the breach of covenant.\u201d<\/p>\n Little is known about West Tree Estates. The company has no online presence or listed contact number. On Companies House, its active directors are listed Michelle Marie Gardner-Guy and Kenneth Michael Guy, whose correspondence addresses are found on Boaler Street in Kensington and at the Queens Dock Commercial Centre on Norfolk Street in the city centre.<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/1746250631_647_0_Derelict-houses-on-Ducie-StreetToxtethLiverpoolPic-Andrew-Teebay.jpg\")
A derelict house on Ducie Street,Toxteth.((Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)<\/p>\n![\"One](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/1746250631_60_0_Derelict-houses-on-Ducie-StreetToxtethLiverpoolPic-Andrew-Teebay.jpg\")
One of the council notices places on properties in Ducie Street(Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)<\/p>\n