This February marked three years since improvement works commenced at Primrose Court in Huyton.
Following the failure of two private sector developers who had committed to developing the estate, Primrose Court had been left with a lack of infrastructure, with a number of properties in a state of serious disrepair. This led to serious concerns from local residents around crime, anti-social behaviour and fly-tipping.
Historic issues in the area had been caused by the construction of the road being left incomplete, left unlit and in a poor state of repair by the original developers. As a result, the area attracted incidents of fly tipping and anti-social behaviour.
Knowsley Council recognised that it had to act and step in where the private sector had failed local residents. With the support of the Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner, Knowsley Council secured £367,000 from the Home Office’s Safer Streets Fund to help transform the area.
From what was once dubbed by the press as “Britain’s Worst Estate”, through partnership working with property owners’, renovations have been delivered throughout Primrose Court, with all 23 homes occupied since 2024.
As well as repairs and renovations to the homes, Primrose Court has benefitted from the installation of CCTV, street lighting, a new road surface and boundary fences installed – all aimed at preventing anti-social behaviour in the area and helping residents feel safer and more secure.
Merseyside Police conducted high visibility patrols in the area, while Council operatives carried out clean-up operations to remove hot spots of fly tipping and graffiti.
What’s more, the funding enabled several Council services to undertake a programme of engagement and improvement works in Primrose Court and the surrounding Hillside area to improve community safety and tackle the longstanding crime and anti-social behaviour issues.
Following consultation with the local community, children’s play equipment was also installed at Hillside Community Centre as well as improvement works to the surrounding green spaces.
Cllr Shelley Powell, Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods, said: “We’ve had really positive feedback from residents since the improvements have been completed. They’ve told us how much nicer and more peaceful the street is now and we are very grateful for their support and involvement throughout. There’s pride in the local area.”
Cllr Powell added: “The physical transformation of Primrose Court has been so important but the engagement with the local community – asking them what they want to see put in place – has been vital to making a meaningful long-term difference. The Council and our community safety partners have strengthened relationships with young people, parents and community leaders. This significant work ensures long term change in the area and will positively impact the safety of generations to come.
“Through partnership working, crime and anti-social behaviour has reduced significantly. The area has been transformed and the foundation for that has been our partnership working with the local community.”