Liverpool City Council is launching a new pilot project to bring vacant land across the city back into use for small-scale housing projects.

According to the Liverpool Express, the city's Property and Asset Management team has drawn up an initial list of 16 council-owned sites, some of which have been vacant for decades. This land – which includes sites in Walton Village, Kirkdale, Croxteth and Princes Park – will now be marketed to individuals or groups who may be interested in small-build housing developments.

The plans aim to bring some of the city's vacant land back into meaningful use and stimulate growth in areas where little interest has been shown in housing development for many years. Most of the sites previously contained housing which was demolished.

Mayor of Liverpool, Joe Anderson, said: "We are taking every possible step to drive forward housing growth in this city. A big part of this is making the most of our assets, so we can support the delivery of new homes in areas which need it most. At the same time, we want to tackle the problem of vacant, derelict land which blights our communities.

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"We have a number of sites which are suitable for small schemes. Making them available to builders or individuals who want to build their own home makes eminent sense, as part of our wider work to provide affordable housing in every part of our city and attract people back into our communities.

"We will now be inviting submissions from individuals or organisations who want to work with us to deliver schemes. We are looking for projects of quality design, which can be delivered quickly, and which will complement the area in which they are located.

"I have pledged to deliver 5,000 new homes for our city by 2015 and this is the type of innovative approach which will be so important in achieving that target."

The 16 brownfield sites identified by the council range from 286sqm to 9622sqm in size. As such, the majority are suitable for between one and five houses – with three bigger sites in Croxteth, which formerly held tower blocks, suitable for larger custom-build proposals.

Liverpool City Council will shortly be advertising the available land and contacting small builders, community organisations, social housing providers, charities and people who wish to build their own house, to invite expressions of interest.

(CD/JP)