27 April 2009, 09/89
Council to investigate funding options
to help regenerate areas in Skelmersdale
West Lancs District Council is investigating
the possibility of bringing in external investment to finance
residential development at Findon and Firbeck in Skelmersdale.
The Council is involved in discussions with
the Homes and Communities Agency about possible options for
regenerating the area through external funding.
All the occupants of Findon and Firbeck will
be kept updated and will be given further information in due
course.
The homes at Findon and Firbeck, a mixture of
Council and privately-owned houses and flats, are currently
earmarked for demolition and redevelopment as part of an ambitious
£350 million project to regenerate Skelmersdale town centre.
The Council is at a very early stage in
discussions with the Homes and Communities Agency about the
possibility of a public sector regeneration and renewal scheme for
Findon and Firbeck. It is looking at options and funding
opportunities and this includes investigating whether Government
finance might be available.
The Council appreciates that the tenants and
residents of Findon and Firbeck are concerned about the future of
their homes and they will be kept fully informed of any progress.
At this stage though, it is too early to discuss any possible
options. If it is possible to identify a meaningful housing
regeneration scheme for this area as part of the overall vision to
regenerate Skelmersdale town centre, the Council will talk to the
residents to find out their views.
Background
information
In 2008 West Lancashire District Council
adopted a masterplan, put together after extensive consultation
with local people, setting out the proposed shape of the new town
centre for Skelmersdale over the next 10 to 15 years. This includes
a new high street, more shops, another supermarket, a new leisure
centre, community facilities, improvements to the Tawd Valley, and
housing. The masterplan also shows the clearance and redevelopment
of around 200 houses and flats at Findon and Firbeck for new homes.
The tenants and homeowners have been consulted on a package of
compensation measures that will be offered if planning permission
for development is sought and granted.
The Council and its development partners, the
regeneration specialist St Modwen, are awaiting the outcome of the
public inquiry into proposals to build a massive retail
development at Kirkby, along with a new Everton football stadium,
hotel and offices. If this scheme is approved in its current
form it will threaten the viability of the Skelmersdale project. A
decision on the Kirkby scheme is expected to be announced by the
Secretary of State later in the year.
Related information