By Christopher Lloyd
A row of empty Grade II-listed Georgian town houses in Toxteth are to be brought back into use as part of a move to tackle unused properties in the city.
The nine properties on Percy Street, which are owned by Liverpool city council and leased to Sanctuary Group, have been empty for several years and require investment to bring them back into use.
The town houses, which previously been converted into one and twobedroom apartments, will be available in mid-March so that a developer may be chosen by early summer this year.
The selection of the developer will focus on the proposed use of the properies, experience of similar projects and the timescale for the work.
Councillor Ann O’Byrne, Assistant Mayor and Cabinet member for Housing at Liverpool city council, said: “These striking period properties have remained unoccupied for too long, and we are determined to find a way of returning them to their intended use as soon as possible.
“We are pleased to be working in partnership with Sanctuary to make sure they become occupied again and complement the area.”
Councillor O’Bryne added: “This is part of our 10 point plan to really drive up the standard, range and quality of homes in Liverpool. We have already brought 1,500 properties back into use over the last couple of years, and have plans for another 2,000 over the next few years.
“The marketing of the properties in Percy Street is a good example of our innovative approach to tackling the problem of long term vacant homes.”
Helen Wright, Project Director at Sanctuary Group, added: “We have been working hard with the council to find a way forward for this project and are delighted to now be at a stage where the properties can go to market. We are confident their sale will help breathe new life into the accommodation and preserve the heritage of these buildings.”
The successful developer will be required to start on site with the as soon as possible and have the properties back in use within a year.