Town 're-imagined' as 10-year masterplan unveiled

A town centre will be "re-imagined" as part of a 10-year masterplan.

Buildings in Huyton, Merseyside, will be demolished and hotels, offices, homes, a library and village green will replace them under the scheme put forward by Knowsley council.

Public transport will be overhauled, 1,700 jobs created, and up to £50m of extra spending brought into the economy, the authority said.

It added the plans were for "a complete redevelopment which would create a vibrant and thriving re-imagined centre".

Councillors are set to approve an initial £3.6m at a meeting next week to take their proposals to the planning stage, when they will then try and secure more funding, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

More than seven acres of land in Huyton town centre is dominated by council buildings which were built in the 1970s and are now deemed unfit for purpose.

The council's masterplan would see these buildings demolished to create room for development in the town centre, including modern, energy efficient office blocks.

First phase plans for Huyton includes 72 new one and two bedroom apartments for affordable rent, a 130-bedroom brand hotel, commercial space, a new village green, and the relocation of the war memorial.

A new surface level car park, library and community hub in the heart of the village centre and as well as leisure space have also been proposed.

Knowsley Council said later phases could include more office space or up to 300 more homes.

Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas to [email protected]