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Liverpool council defend regeneration plans for Anfield area

Football club's policy of buying houses has been attacked

Carl Markham
Wednesday 08 May 2013 11:51 BST
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A view of the streets around Anfield
A view of the streets around Anfield

Liverpool City Council insists plans for the regeneration of the Anfield area remain on track.

A newspaper report criticised the football club's long-established policy of buying houses around the stadium - and then leaving them empty - to prepare for a ground expansion.

Residents still living in the shadow of the Anfield ground are unhappy that a process which began in the mid-1990s has left the area derelict and in decline, and has adversely affected the price of their own homes - the final ones which will be targeted ahead of the revamp.

Householders claim they are not being offered the proper value and, although the football club have not commented, Liverpool City Council insists cases are assessed on an individual basis and in some cases people have been paid above the market price.

The council, which is planning a community-wide consultation process in the coming months, is also keen to stress redevelopment of the stadium and the regeneration of Anfield as an area are not both driven by the football club.

"Since last autumn, we have been developing a robust set of plans for the area which are absolutely on track," said a council spokesman.

"We will be giving an update about the next steps in the coming months.

"This will include working with the local community on a blueprint for the wider regeneration of Anfield.

"We are unshakably committed to delivering regeneration for the people of Anfield."

PA

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