New Town ambition for Liverpool North

Plans to redevelop one of Britain’s most deprived areas and to build more than 10,000 new homes have been set out by Liverpool City Council.

A visionary submission for New Town status has been sent to the Department of Housing, Communities and Local Government for New Town status to expand the regeneration of the northern fringe of the City through to Bootle town centre.

The new development – to be known as Liverpool North – would span 5km between Bootle and Liverpool and include Everton, Anfield and Kirkdale.

The bold proposal would see the transformation of a number of brownfield sites, which would also lay the foundations for economic growth and sustainability, encompassing Everton FC’s new £500m stadium at Bramley Moore Dock and the £20m Bootle New Strand development project.

Liverpool City Council has worked in collaboration with Sefton Council, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, Homes England, and key landowners in the area to set out a 10-year vision for the area.

The partnership could see the ambitious proposals revitalise communities blighted by high deprivation, unlocking economic potential for decades to come. The plan will focus on building on unused land, repurposing old buildings while maintaining and supporting communities that already call the area home.

New Town status is a designation given to certain areas in the UK that are undergoing significant redevelopment. These areas are often characterised by a mix of old and new housing, commercial spaces and infrastructure. The goal of New Town status is to revitalise these areas and to make them more attractive places to live, work and play.

Liverpool North is strategically located with existing transport links and presents a key opportunity for large-scale urban expansion and regeneration.

Liverpool City Council is planning to accelerate housing development in the Liverpool North area through several key projects. These include:
• Goodison Legacy: working with Everton Football Club and Everton in the Community, the Council is developing plans for the area around Goodison Park, including a new strategic walking and cycling route that will unlock key housing sites (“The Toffee Trail”).
• County Road: proposals for County Road are also being developed, with a focus on linking Goodison to the new Bramley Moore Stadium.
• Anfield: The Council is working with housing associations, commercial partners and Liverpool Football Club to bring forward housing and mixed-use development in the Anfield area, including a “Red Walk” connection.
• Greatie Market: a £5 million investment in Great Homer Market is expected to stimulate increased housing development around the market.

These projects are all linked to other major developments in the area, such as Liverpool Waters, Bramley Moore Dock, Ten Streets Creative District and Pumpfields.

The Council has developed these transformational plans with the support of Everton Football Club, Everton in the Community and Liverpool Football Club, in addition to key landowners and place shapers in the area – including Torus, Riverside Group, and One Vision.

The Liverpool North corridor represents a unique opportunity to marry urban development in Liverpool with regeneration plans in Bootle, creating a strategic city fringe location. This area currently faces significant challenges, including high deprivation, economic inactivity, and poor housing quality.

The vision is to create a sustainable and attractive new community. This will be achieved through the building of high-quality housing with a significant proportion of affordable homes, investing in existing homes to improve quality and significantly improving transport infrastructure.

Councillor Liam Robinson, Leader of Liverpool City Council, said: “These ambitious plans mark the beginning of an era of change and transformation for the whole Liverpool City Region. If given the go-ahead by the UK Government, Liverpool North will be a dramatic new landmark between the city centre and Bootle and provide a catalytic boost to the area.

“The revitalisation of communities across a huge area, from Bootle through Kirkdale, to Anfield and Everton, will give the whole region a massive economic boost, provide thousands of affordable homes and create new districts providing employment, leisure and educational opportunities.

“I can’t wait to see how this plan develops in the coming months and the difference it will make to our great City.”

Councillor Marion Atkinson, Leader of Sefton Council, said: “We welcome the Government’s commitment to regeneration and this would super-charge our plans to transform Bootle and south Sefton for the benefit of residents and businesses.

“We’ve already seen the impact that our work has had so far with the creation of the Salt and Tar entertainment venue along with plans to improve the Strand Shopping Centre so it becomes a modern town centre but this would take things on to another level.

“We all know too well the challenges we have with some of the housing quality in the borough so this would also see huge improvements in the housing stock while improving our links into the city centre and beyond.

“By working across the city region area there are so many opportunities for us to benefit from the significant investment on our doorstep through projects such as Everton’s new stadium and I’m excited to see how this develops.”

Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said: “Our plans for North Liverpool and South Sefton is a perfect example of how the Liverpool City Region’s bold, joined-up thinking can help deliver on the government’s national missions, including the drive to build 1.5 million new homes. We’re not just about hitting targets for the sake of it; but transforming areas that have been left behind for far too long and showing the power of regeneration to improve lives.

“Our vision aligns perfectly with what the country needs right now—thousands of high-quality, affordable homes that lay the foundations for strong, thriving communities. Working hand in hand with local councils, housing associations, and national partners, we’re proving that the Liverpool City Region is ready to lead the way again.

“This will be about much more than bricks and mortar; it’s about giving people pride in their place, creating opportunities, and showing how ambition and collaboration can deliver real change. Together, we’re not just building houses—we’re building hope, ambition, and a brighter future for our region.”