Explanation H3

5.39

Two of the areas of most significant proposed change (at North Huyton and Tower Hill, Kirkby) are identified as Action Areas. It is proposed that significant parts of these areas will be subject to comprehensive development and re-development over the Plan period.

North Huyton Action Area

5.40

The North Huyton area (including the estates of Hillside , Woolfall Heath, Finch House and Fincham) is one of the more deprived areas of Knowsley, and is being regenerated under the Government's New Deal for Communities (NDC) programme. This programme is one of the key elements of the Government's National Strategy for Neighbourhood Renewal, and aims to strike a balance between physical developments and social projects.

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The North Huyton programme began in 2001, runs until 2010 and will invest £55.8m of Government funds. Plans for the regeneration of the area are being developed by extensive consultation with local people and other partners who continue to play a leading role in the development, appraisal and approval of projects. These will be focussed on tackling unemployment, poor examination results, ill health, poor housing and crime and disorder.

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The regeneration of the area is likely to entail major physical land use changes and development proposals, including:

•  The improvement and (where necessary) clearance and renewal of existing housing stock; and

•  The provision of more jobs and better community and leisure facilities.

•  The provision of new schools.

5.43

A range of options is currently being developed, which could involve the demolition of approximately 1,150 dwellings and replacement by approximately 1,450 new dwellings which are better suited to local needs. It is expected that the new housing development will focus primarily on the redevelopment of cleared areas. Within later phases of the development (and as part of the general remodelling of the area) it may be necessary to incorporate some areas of existing greenspace. However new areas of greenspace are also likely to be provided, and the development will be expected to provide significant qualitative improvements to greenspace provision. Under the schools review (see chapter 2 “Key Issues and Influences”) the Council has issued a Statement of Intent which indicates that the secondary school in this area will be replaced and also that proposals will be developed for replacement of primary schools.

Tower Hill, Kirkby Action Area

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Similarly, the Tower Hill area in Kirkby is the subject of a master-planning exercise which will set out the options for regeneration of housing and the environment. A central purpose of the master plan will be to diversify the quality and choice of housing. In order to secure a successful regeneration of the area it is likely that the housing development will include some areas which are currently redundant or poorly used urban greenspace (some of which has had development on it in the past).

Procedures

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The master plans for the two Action Areas at North Huyton and Tower Hill will, once finalised, be adopted by the Council as Supplementary Planning Documents. Any master planning exercise will need to take into consideration the requirements of and the need to integrate into the planning process a full Sustainability Appraisal and Strategic Environmental Assessment. This will ensure that sustainability factors are built in at the start of the process. The Supplementary Planning Documents will guide the subsequent determination of planning applications in these areas .

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