A £6 million plan to regenerate housing in the rundown Rockfield area of Anfield is a step closer following the completion of consultation.

The area comprises seven streets – Rockfield Road, Tancred Road, Coningsby Road, Sybil Road, Alroy Road, Lothair Road and part of Anfield Road.

More than 40 percent of the 263 terraced properties are already empty, and the plan is to develop a scheme which will create a thriving local community with some units turned into commercial premises to create employment opportunities.

The plan will see 227 of the properties refurbished, with the remaining 36 that are in the worst condition demolished. Only eight of those earmarked for demolition are occupied.

Residents were invited to a consultation event in June and also sent questionnaires outlining three options for demolition and refurbishment. A majority (32 percent) of those who responded that expressed a preference chose an option that will see:

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•Refurbishment of over 60 homes on the even side of Alroy Road and part of Rockfield Road

•Demolition of a total of 36 properties mostly in the poorest condition on Lothair Road, Rockfield Road and Anfield Road (of which only eight are occupied)

•Some units made available for commercial use to help stimulate employment

•Completion of refurbishment works on nine properties on Tancred Road by social landlord Your Housing (formerly Arena)

•Refurbishment of a further 12 properties across the area, also by Your Housing

The Council will also carry out environmental works to complete alleyways, highways and pavements improvements in the area including planting trees.

Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson said: "Housing is a top priority and this addresses one of the major issues in an area that has been blighted for far too long by dereliction and uncertainty.

"I truly believe this will help with the rebirth of Anfield and make it a place people want to live and visit, building on other improvements we’ve seen in such as the restoration of Stanley Park.

"This is a key part of my pledge to improve housing in the city and make sure we create communities where people want to live."

(CD/GK)