South Liverpool Regeneration Success

Elan homes, similar to those at Mossley Gardens, South Liverpool

A street scene of Elan homes, similar to those at Mossley Gardens, in South Liverpool, where former student accommodation has been transformed into a desirable new neighbourhood

THE redevelopment of former university halls in South Liverpool has been given the seal of approval by buyers and judges in the Insider North West Residential Property Awards.

At Mossley Gardens, South Liverpool, Elan Homes derelict student accommodation has made way for an intimate development of premium quality housing for the local community. The scheme that offers village style living in one of the city’s most sought-after neighbourhoods, with homes arranged around a central “village green”, providing residents with access to open space.

More than two-thirds of the properties have now been sold, with buyers eagerly anticipating the next releases.

The carefully considered design and the sales success has earned Elan a place on the shortlist for the Small Housing Development of the Year category of the Insider North West Residential Property Awards.

Marie Morris, sales director for Elan Homes in the North, said: “We’re immensely proud of the new neighbourhood we’re creating at Mossley Gardens. The site has undergone a total transformation thanks to the dedication of the entire team and it’s become a much sought-after place to live.

“We embraced the challenge of planning the development around the existing mature trees, while creating homes would sit comfortably alongside existing properties in the Mossley Hill Conservation Area and addressing the mixed levels of the site.

“Through careful planning and innovation, we’ve created a stunning new development in the form of a mix of apartments, mews houses, semi-detached and detached properties, including a number of three-storey townhouses in keeping with the Georgian architecture of the surrounding area.”

Built in the 1950s, Dale Hall had been unused since the 165-bedroom student accommodation closed in 2014. It suffered systematic illegal stripping of metalwork, followed by fire damage in December 2017.

The site was identified as being suitable for residential development in the 2016 Liverpool Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment.

Elan’s acquisition of the land enabled the University of Liverpool to reinvest funds into more modern student accommodation.

Planning was granted in March 2018 for the 66-home scheme, which offers a mix of two-bedroom apartments, plus four and five-bedroom mews, semi-detached and detached houses.

The local area benefited from £34,000 of investment in off-site public open space and £3,130 towards public art

Testament to Elan’s reputation, having previously built at nearby Carnatic Court, and the popularity of the L18 area, 1,500-plus pre-launch enquiries were received. All of the apartments and two of the houses were sold during an appointment-only off plan launch event ahead of show homes opening in autumn 2019.

“Homes have been released for sale in phases in accordance with the build programme and in many cases are reserved almost immediately by buyers who’ve waited patiently for particular properties to come to market,” Marie added.

“Part of the appeal is that the homes are in the desirable L18 postcode, within walking distance of Sefton Park, close to Mossley Hill railway station, the café culture of Lark Lane and in an area well-served by top performing schools.”

The final phase of this popular and well-designed development is due to be complete by 2021.

The winners of the Insider North West Residential Property Awards will be announced in mid-July.

Show homes at Mossley Gardens are open for viewing by appointment only. To arrange a viewing or for the latest availability see https://www.elan-homes.co.uk/developments/mossley-gardens.