Homebaked Community Land Trust (CLT) has been working on plans to complete the redevelopment of Oakfield Terrace in North Liverpool since 2018, following the community’s successful campaign to stop the demolition of the site. The Community organisation have previously secured additional funding totalling more than £520,000 to kickstart the final phase of work – contingent on its transfer from Liverpool City Council.
Now, despite working with Homebaked CLT since 2018 to enable the development and community ownership of Oakfield Terrace, LCC has u-turned on this commitment and has included the block on a list of properties to be sold on the open market.
A representative for Homebaked CLT has said that they have been ready to start but have repeatedly held up by delays beyond their control. The latest u-turn is predicted to cost the people of Liverpool £1.1million of social value.
Tom Murphy is the coordinator at Homebaked Community Land Trust. He says: “This seemingly knee-jerk u-turn by LCC is a blow to the community of Anfield, and disregards the considerable money, time and energy invested by the 100s of volunteers and groups involved. We have demonstrated time and time again that we can align money – many of the issues to getting on site have stemmed from LCC. In a recent BBC article about the regeneration of Anfield, it reports ‘City leaders have promised “more than warm words”’ and instead vowed to get “spades in the ground”.
“Homebaked CLT has secured the backing of Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and the National Lottery Community Fund: the Trust had a plan and money to get spades in the ground for spring next year. Bizarrely, it seems that individuals at Liverpool City Council are preventing this from happening. The rationale given to sell off the properties on the open market is not only a gamble, but is short-sighted. Their proposed approach won’t see spades in the ground until late 2025; at best. “
We understand the pressures of the local housing crisis – we’re advocating for warm and affordable homes that will remain in community ownership. However, selling off assets without clear safeguards in place now, and for the future, risks more poor quality, cold homes, rented out at extortionate prices. Our community deserves better.”
Homebaked CLT’s plans for the remainder of the terrace development include eight homes that will always be affordable for local people, and that will be well-insulated and energy efficient to ensure bills remain affordable. As well as space for more good businesses to start and grow, helping the high street thrive again.
The plans were created by residents and Homebaked CLT members demanding change – led by a group of 20 local people, who were aged between 12 and 75, working with architects to co-develop a plan that will retain the character of the terrace whilst refurbishing the properties to a high standard – many of which have not been lived in for 15 years.