Further investment is coming to Kirkby with work due to commence by McCarthy Stone on St Chad’s Drive to create new retirement homes for over 55’s in the town centre.
In July 2023, Knowsley Council’s Cabinet endorsed plans to dispose of land on St Chad’s Drive in order to bring forward a proposal for much-needed retirement homes in Kirkby Town Centre.
McCarthy Stone’s plans include the construction of 53 new homes which offer specialist provision for people aged 55 and over.
The development includes shared ownership and gives older homeowners the option to continue to own their own homes in a specialist scheme.
By providing shared ownership for older people, the proposal will help people to “right size” and thereby free up housing in the borough which is more suited to families and younger people.
Demand in Knowsley for such properties has been identified through the Council’s Housing Needs Assessment and the development of the Knowsley Housing Strategy 2022-2027.
The plans will bring a highly accessible town centre site back into use and will also help to create greater footfall in Kirkby Town Centre.
The 0.89 acre site comprises the former St Chad’s Clinic. The site was used to provide temporary car parking whilst permanent car parking was being constructed as part of the adjacent retail development and on the land to the South of Cherryfield Drive.
Now that these large new car parks are completed and open. There are 460 short stay car parking spaces as part of the new retail development and 242 short and long stay car park spaces nearby on land to the south of Cherryfield Drive. In addition, the existing Kirkby Town Centre multi-storey car park has been fully refurbished and provides a further 372 short and long stay spaces.
James Hanna at McCarthy Stone said, “We are delighted to be commencing our exciting new development in Kirkby Town Centre, which has recently benefitted from significant investment, making the town an attractive place to live, work and visit.
“Our development will provide new retirement homes, right in the heart of the town centre, which are easily accessible to the growing offer and amenities in the town. We are expecting strong demand for these new homes.”
Cllr Tony Brennan, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Development, added “It’s great to see further investment in Kirkby Town Centre with work due to start on new homes in the very near future.
“This site will provide much-needed homes and more choice for over 55’s in the borough.
“I am very pleased to welcome McCarthy and Stone and new residents to Kirkby and I look forward to seeing this scheme progress over the coming months.”