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304 new homes at grove street, liverpool given green light

shedkm, Metropolitan Workshop, and The Regenda Group have been granted planning approval for the redevelopment of Grove Street, Liverpool after the designs were unanimously approved at planning committee on Tuesday 22 March 2022.

304 high quality mixed-tenure homes, two commercial units and new public realm are included in the scheme. The existing apartments were built in the 1970s and are outdated in terms of space standards and thermal insulation, with none of the current homes providing private amenity space. A retrofit and extension approach was explored at the outset, but the constraints were deemed to be too detrimental and would have resulted in homes that failed to meet the required standards. Plans for the Grove Street regeneration include the demolition of these 144 existing social rent properties, with all residents able to move back to Grove Street once the new social rent homes are completed.

Other tenure types within the scheme include homes for affordable rent, private rent, outright sale and Rent to Buy. shedkm have designed 164 of the homes and 140 have been designed by Metropolitan Workshop. All new homes are designed to meet NDSS space standards and all homes and open spaces are wheelchair accessible.

The development will introduce new green space to the area. The new landscaping and public realm, by BCA Landscape, has been designed around many of the existing mature trees. At the heart of the masterplan is a new public ‘pocket park’, also home to a community space for residents. Some blocks will have living roofs, naturally insulating buildings, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, as well as providing a habitat for insects and birds.

The masterplan bridges the transition from the historic Georgian quarter to the more contemporary architectural language of the adjacent Knowledge Quarter, bringing modern additions to the neighbourhood whilst responding sensitively to the local context. The scheme opens streets closed to all traffic when the estate was first built and restores the historic pattern of city blocks.

The new development has sustainability at its heart. The energy strategy includes renewable on-site electricity generation, heat pump technologies, good insulation, and an overall target of 55 KWhr/m2/annum. New homes will feature low carbon technologies to provide an all-electric decarbonised development. Cycle parking, electric vehicle charging, low-flow sanitaryware, energy efficient LED lighting and heat recovery from waste water and ventilation systems will all contribute to make the new homes energy efficient in operation.

shedkm homes

164 new homes in two phases designed by shedkm will comprise one, two and three bedroom apartments and three and five bedroom houses.

Common areas, including entrance lobbies and stair wells, have been carefully designed to enhance residents’ living experiences. Optimising natural daylight in these areas and creating moments of generous space will contribute to a positive place to live.

shedkm’s homes draw on the Georgian material palette within the site, which comprises a variety of brick tones, including browns, reds and oranges.

metropolitan workshop homes

140 new homes in three phases designed by Metropolitan Workshop will comprise one, two and three bedroom apartments and five bedroom houses.

The building to the north of the scheme is the tallest where the existing density and heights of the University of Liverpool buildings permit. The masterplan reduces to three stories to the south near the surrounding Georgian streets where Metropolitan Workshop have designed a terrace of 16 townhouses and a small infill block influenced by the surrounding Georgian streets of the Canning Street conservation area.

Ian Killick, Director at shedkm, said: “shedkm are delighted that this major project in our home city has received the support of the Planning Committee and we are already preparing for the construction of the first new homes. To reach this milestone has required collaboration on many levels: with our client Regenda and the Grove Estate residents; with Liverpool City Council; and between the local and national design expertise that has been assembled specifically for this project.”

Jonathan Drage, Senior Associate, Metropolitan Workshop, said: “The Grove Place project secures the long-term future of the existing community and provides new multi-tenure housing with high quality streets and open spaces. We look forward to working with Regenda and our design team partners shedkm and BCA to deliver homes that Liverpool can be proud of.”

Martin Davies, Director of Development for The Regenda Group, said: “After extensive public consultation, I am delighted that Liverpool Council have granted planning approval for the regeneration of Grove Street. This development will bring beautiful new homes to the area and is a great example of placemaking, with a range of tenures to suit local need.”

Michael O’Connell, Director of Landscape Architects BCA landscape, said: “With 74 retained and 100 new trees, new planting of wildlife friendly species, green roofs and bird, bat, bug and hedgehog homes, the new development at Grove Street will be a very green place to live. We have also included amenity and play space, with public pocket parks and improved public realm at the heart of the development.”

The Regenda Group expects work to start on site over the summer, with the final phase completed by mid-2026.

The Grove Street redevelopment will be built by M&Y Maintenance and Construction. Social and affordable rent homes will be let by Regenda Homes with private rent properties, Rent to Buy and outright sale properties let and sold through Redwing.

Read about Grove Street in the Architects’ Journal here.