Topic: Melwood Buyers Announced

[thekitkatshuffler]

Has it been confirmed that the land will be used for affordable/social housing?

Torus are a social landlord but they do also develop properties that aren't designated for Affordable Rent.

[Eeyore]

It’s basically a big shed. The world class facilities are moving to Kirby. It’s world class because the club spend a fortune on running costs, maintenance and staff. 

Who would find the staffing and running costs if it was transferred to the local community?

Aren’t the Bill Shankly pitches just down the road? How are they being looked after?

Surely a community project like this is partly self funding. There is a dividend from keeping people active and healthy. Sport England have changed tack and have less emphasis on elite sport and more on getting people more active. Surely that could happen at Melwood. You could have a major sport being based here and have the facilities open to the general public as well. Other cities manage to do it.

[Alan_X]

Surely a community project like this is partly self funding. There is a dividend from keeping people active and healthy. Sport England have changed tack and have less emphasis on elite sport and more on getting people more active. Surely that could happen at Melwood. You could have a major sport being based here and have the facilities open to the general public as well. Other cities manage to do it.

Looking at an aerial photo the layout is designed to service the needs of twenty or so elite athletes supported by a large number of staff. There aren’t enough pitches and the parking is limited. The facilities aren’t configured for community use. It might be of use and sustainable for a similar type of sports club but if you weren’t Liverpool FC then why would you want that facility in the middle of a residential area?

[Fitzy.]

Looking at an aerial photo the layout is designed to service the needs of twenty or so elite athletes supported by a large number of staff. There aren’t enough pitches and the parking is limited. The facilities aren’t configured for community use. It might be of use and sustainable for a similar type of sports club but if you weren’t Liverpool FC then why would you want that facility in the middle of a residential area?

It looks like the kind of site a free school would use possibly.

[Eeyore]

In an ideal world yes. But does the local community have the spare cash to pay fees to access and maintain? If not, it would have needed government subsidies. Does the council have enough money to buy a luxury gym? Is it spending enough on policing, health services, social care, bin collection, education etc?

Did sport England put a bid in for Melwood? Did the council?

I can see your point of view. I just think it is sad that a building, facilities and pitches that could be put to fantastic use in a deprived area are being destroyed. Personally if we are going to have a sugar tax then something like this would be perfect to be funded by it.

[Fromola]

Mixed emotions for me. Whilst social housing is preferable to private housing. I think it is a crying shame that world class sporting facilities are being destroyed. Surely this is exactly the kind of thing Sport England should be funding.

Maybe if it was in Salford.

[So… Howard Philips]

Maybe if it was in Salford.

Or in a number of other parts of Liverpool. I never thought West Derby was that deprived but I haven't been up there for a couple of years, maybe it's gone to the dogs.

[afc tukrish]

It would be like asking for one of McClaren’s old racing cars to take the kids to school and do the weekly shop.

Does the car come with an umbrella?

[Lush is the best medicine...]

I don’t know if the sale of the land will cover the cost of Kirby but it will offset it.

think it covers around 20% of the cost

[Peabee]

Pretty normal reaction from any homeowners around the world. No one wants extra neighbors, less space, more traffic etc.  In this case a neighborhood park, gym and pool paid for by the city would be very appealing, and would make their surrounding home values go up?

Why is home values increasing a good thing? It only helps people with multiple properties.

[Peabee]

think it covers around 20% of the cost

That’s 20% of the whole development not just the land. It will cover a larger proportion of the land cost.

[Peabee]

Surely a community project like this is partly self funding. There is a dividend from keeping people active and healthy. Sport England have changed tack and have less emphasis on elite sport and more on getting people more active. Surely that could happen at Melwood. You could have a major sport being based here and have the facilities open to the general public as well. Other cities manage to do it.

Have you seen the latest local council budget cuts? Lucky the bins are still collected.

[Lush is the best medicine...]

Why is home values increasing a good thing? It only helps people with multiple properties.

to be fair if there is a significant drop then it will push some of them into negative equity which could prevent them with things like taking a better job etc?

That’s 20% of the whole development not just the land. It will cover a larger proportion of the land cost.

true, that’s where you’d expect this to go directly to

[Eeyore]

Have you seen the latest local council budget cuts? Lucky the bins are still collected.

I don't see the problem just do what everyone in Football does and demand more money.

[rocco]

Any idea how much we sold the land for ??

[Alan_X]

£10million I heard.

[BarryCrocker]

Any idea how much we sold the land for ??

Going off the post above by Lush is the best medicine... £10m if it's covering roughly 20% of Kirkby.

[rocco]

Cheers

[lukeb1981]

Going off the post above by Lush is the best medicine... £10m if it's covering roughly 20% of Kirkby.

Selling Wilson and Kent should cover nearly the rest of the bill