A new partnership between Liverpool City Council and housing association Torus has been announced that will accelerate housebuilding.

Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet agreed the two organisations could enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that will set out clear aims, objectives and timelines for delivery with the overriding goal of amplifying and speeding up place-based housing-led regeneration in North Liverpool.

As two major land and property owners in that part of the city, the agreement will result in more affordable homes being built at a quicker pace to meet growing demand and play a key part in the wider regeneration of the area.

The MOU will see the two partners working collaboratively in a strategic partnership by identifying new housing opportunities to quantify the potential scale of development in Kirkdale, Vauxhall and Everton while assessing market demand and tenures to bring sites forward.

The partnership also aims to lever in public and private investment to the area, accelerating the delivery of new affordable homes. By doing so, the social housing sector as a whole will benefit.

The same approach will also be taken forward with derelict buildings on brownfield sites that need demolishing to free up land for housing.

Torus Chief Executive, Steve Coffey, said:

“The national housing crisis is acutely felt in Liverpool with nearly 15,000 people on the waiting list for a home.

“This is therefore a vital partnership that will see us working together with Liverpool City Council to create and then deliver an all-inclusive housing plan for the north of the city which will also play an intrinsic role in the wider regeneration of the area.

“It will allow us to build homes in volume at a far quicker rate and reduces the number of schemes delivered in a piecemeal fashion.

“We already have in the region of 10,000 homes in North Liverpool with 195 more being completed next month at Hartley Locks in Lightbody Street.

“The area is enjoying other investment too with Everton Football Club’s new stadium, the transformation of the old tobacco and tea warehouses and the council’s recently announced £5m transformation of Greatie Market and wider area, demonstrating commitment to progressing placemaking, enhancing economic opportunities and housing delivery across Liverpool North.”

Councillor Nick Small, Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet Member for Growth and Economy, said:

“We are determined to do all we can to improve the supply of affordable homes for sale and rent in Liverpool, and play our part in delivering on the Government’s housing agenda.

“North Liverpool offers huge opportunities to create new affordable housing on brownfield sites.

“Through our Liverpool North New Town, working with Sefton Council and partners like Torus, we have ambitious plans to drive forward regeneration and new housing and bring about change for our residents, including supporting and delivering catalytic developments like Central Docks and opening of Everton FC’s new Hill Dickinson stadium.

“This Memorandum of Understanding is a clear commitment from the council and Torus to deliver housing-led place based regeneration.”