A development Framework for the Edge Lane Central area, including the Edge Lane Retail Park, has been drawn up following positive talks between landowners Derwent Holdings Ltd, Liverpool City Council and Liverpool Vision.

The City Council's Executive Board is being asked to support the Framework at its meeting on Friday, January 15.

This area is one of the primary gateways into the city and includes a number of key sites including the Retail Park, Rathbone Road Recreation Ground and the former Ian Skelly Car Showroom site. Currently there are a number of disused sites and buildings in the area, including on the main Edge Lane frontage.

The Development Framework provides the basis for a comprehensive redevelopment of the area, creating a vibrant and successful gateway into the city centre. It also complements recent and planned improvements in other sections of the Edge Lane corridor.

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The Framework covers an area of 28 hectares and embraces a number of exciting development opportunities.

Work will begin with the creation of a new park at the Robinson Willey site which will meet the needs and aspirations of the local community, with the existing Rathbone Park turned over for leisure use.

The Skelly site is to be redeveloped as an extension of the Rathbone Hospital, including extensive landscaping, bringing yet more community facilities to the area, while the land currently occupied by the Halford's building will be developed for light industry with a new attractive frontage to Edge Lane.

The existing Retail Park is to be developed into a modern shopping centre with 600,000 sq ft of retail and leisure space, costing around £200m.

The work will be phased to keep disruption to a minimum, but environmental improvements on some of the sites fronting Edge Lane will began as soon as members agree the Development Framework.

Existing businesses affected by the plans will be relocated to the north side of Edge Lane following positive talks and the area between the new park and the Retail Park will be linked by environmental improvements and improved pedestrian routes.

As soon as the Framework is approved it is planned that local businesses, residents groups and other agencies will help guide the project and be consulted on specific elements of the scheme as they emerge, starting with a new community park.

(CD/GK)