Anfield bakery unveils plans for community housing in former council properties

Former council properties in Anfield could be refurbished into new homes and businesses under fresh proposals.

In April 2023, Liverpool Council disposed of nine properties on Oakfield Road in Anfield to Your Housing Group (YHG) to act as a development manager for Homebaked Community Land Trust (CLT) to deliver housing in the area. Plans were agreed back in July 2022 but were extended to secure necessary funding.

Now a full planning application has been lodged with the local authority’s planning department with documents outlining how the area could be transformed.

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Almost two years ago, the council signed off on plans for a 150-year lease to be granted to YHG for the delivery of new homes for just £1 subject to social value and well-being terms. Among those involved were Homebaked CLT – a not-for-profit, community-based organisation delivering facilities and environmentally sustainable homes at affordable rental levels.

Over the last decade, Homebaked CLT has been at the forefront of community-led regeneration in Anfield and Everton, setting up a bakery at the end of Oakfield Road which has proved popular with Liverpool FC fans on match days. Original terms agreed two years ago required YHG to pay almost £250,000 to the council had it not disposed of the properties to Homebaked within three years of the lease being granted and refurbishment being completed in the same time frame.

That requirement of payment will no longer be required and five years was granted for the completion of necessary works.

A design and access statement attached as part of the application has set out how the nine properties will be redeveloped to provide “affordable and healthy homes and space to nature local businesses.” It said: “This is a community-led development, with a focus on local desires and needs.

“Homebaked CLT believes the people it serves deserve a beautiful, secure, warm and environmentally sound development that enhances the well-being and prospects of the people who live and work there.”

Under the plans, eight units would be reconfigured to offer residential accommodation to meet local housing needs. Additional space would offer an area for businesses around Anfield, including a multi-function unit providing space for a microbrewery, pop-up retails and community activities, and two smaller commercial spaces for non-food retail or office used by local and start-up businesses.

The report added: “The existing buildings will be refurbished so that they are cheap to heat, ensuring homes are healthy and affordable in the long term as well as reducing energy use carbon emissions, and so reducing its environmental impacts. This will be achieved through a ‘fabric first’ approach, using high levels of insulation and draught proofing and high quality glazing.”

A date has yet to be set for the plans to be considered by Liverpool Council’s planning committee.

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