Welsh Streets regeneration wins major award

Our long-awaited transformation of the Welsh Streets area of Toxteth has been named the year’s Best Regeneration at the Inside Housing Development Awards.

The £17m project is transforming 127 existing terraced properties into 99 modern, contemporary affordable homes.

The extensive refurbishment has brought properties back into use that have been empty for years. Existing residents have been able to return to their old homes and new families have moved in, helping to rebuild a thriving and supportive community.

The annual Inside Housing Development Awards are one of the most sought-after in the housing sector. To win Best Regeneration, we had to prove how the Welsh Streets project improved the area and created a desirable place to live.

The existing Victorian terraced houses are being refurbished in phases as a mix of two, three and four bedroom homes – including some that have been expanded by transforming two houses into one. The homes are being sensitively restored whilst achieving a high standard of modern energy efficiency.  

At the heart of the area is the community centre, which we renovated and transformed into a Wellbeing Hub - re-named the Irene Milson Resource Centre, in tribute to a much-loved resident who passed away last year.

We teamed up with other local housing providers to map community issues, and now pool resources to address them through specific employment and wellbeing support programmes, and working to create apprenticeship opportunities with contractors.

Our development director Chris McAllister said: “The Welsh Streets area has faced many difficult years as regeneration plans have failed to come to fruition. We are delighted that, over the last few years, work has finally begun on making sure this vital Liverpool community reaches its full potential. We are committed to leaving a lasting legacy in the neighbourhood and it is fantastic to have seen our work so far recognised with this award.”

The project is being delivered in collaboration with a range of partners and stakeholders, including Liverpool City Council, Homes England, Penny Lane Builders and the Halsall Lloyd Partnership.

Gerard McEvoy, managing director of Penny Lane Builders, said: “We are very proud to be involved in the regeneration of the Welsh Streets, not just renovating brilliant new homes but also creating employment and training opportunities for local people as well. This project means so much to everyone involved and has already had a big impact, and this award is very well-deserved.”