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New plan for fruit and
vegetable market site
A wide ranging regeneration scheme has
been drawn up to breathe new life into a 20 acre site on the Edge Lane gateway
into Liverpool. Under the proposals:- the Fruit, Vegetable and Flower Market,
which occupies half of the land in Old Swan, would move from its existing
rundown building to a new, as yet undecided site, which would include parking, a
café and public toilets with the aim of attracting new traders and customers.
There is also the potential for meat and fish traders; based in a building off
Edge Lane not owned by the City Council; to transfer to a new site with the
market, and for the new facility to become a wider 'food hub.'
Around 10 acres of the Edge Lane site is set to be redeveloped as a new home for
a Merseyside Police patrol hub, while also providing space for the Force's
vehicle repair facility, which is currently based at Smithdown Lane. Some
of the site will also be used to rebuild the neighbouring St Cuthbert's Catholic
Primary School, while the remaining nine acres fronting Prescot Road would be
used to develop up to 160 new homes.
Cabinet member for regeneration, Councillor Malcolm Kennedy, said:- "The
market is in a really poor condition and the number of traders has been
dwindling for a very long time, so doing nothing is not an option. We have been
in discussions with the traders for some time about finding a way to secure the
future of the market at a new site in a better location. Discussions are at an
advanced stage and we are very close to being able to announce a preferred site
which meets their needs and our ambitions. We have come up with a comprehensive
proposal for the Edge Lane site that also meets the need for Merseyside Police
to find new accommodation, to replace Smithdown Lane. It will also provide space
for a much needed redevelopment of St Cuthbert's Catholic Primary School, and
the construction of new homes on a brownfield site. The entire scheme will
complement the other improvements that are going on in and around Edge Lane,
including the new shopping park and the film and TV studios, at the former
Littlewoods Building."
The final piece of the jigsaw would see the City Council enter into a land swap
agreement with Merseyside Police and see the site at Smithdown Lane used to
expand the City's Knowledge Quarter, with a new development of office
accommodation to attract businesses and jobs.
Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner Jane Kennedy said:- "We need
facilities which are fit for purpose for modern Policing. This new development
on Edge Lane will ensure our Officers and staff are equipped and in the right
location to serve our communities now and in the future. This new centre will
increase effectiveness and efficiency while also enabling the Force to reduce
its annual running costs, so even more money can be directed into frontline
Policing. This is also an exciting development for the Edge Lane area. I've been
working to help regenerate this area for many years so I'm delighted to see
Merseyside Police contribute as a major partner."
The report will be considered by the Cabinet on Friday, 10 June 2016.
Please let us know what your views are on this issue, via emailing us to:-
News24@SouthportReporter.com.
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