As if the news about Eldon Grove yesterday wasn’t enough, I’m back with more bits of good news about two of my other favourite places in Liverpool. There are now, at last, builders beginning work in Granby 4 Streets. And in Anfield, Homebaked are now certain they won’t lose their bakery building to demolition.
Arriving in Granby the lavender is in full flower.
And there are builder’s trucks in Cairns Street.
On the corner of Beaconsfield people are starting to gather.
This is the beginning of a day which will see the launch of the National Community Land Trust Network. Previously a part of the National Housing Federation, but as of now an independent charity in its own right. And doing a national launch in Liverpool? Well, because we are the home of two of the most significant urban CLTs. Yes, Granby 4 Streets and Homebaked.
People are gathering here from all over England, Wales, the Isle of Man and even one person from Australia.
And long term Granby resident Jimmy Jagne is here to welcome everyone.
Jimi talks through the history of Granby and these four remaining original streets.
And walks everyone around.
In Beaconsfield Street there are Plus Dane builders on site.
Jimi talks of the wealth that lived in the boulevard just next to here in the 19th century.
And the destruction of much of the Granby neighbourhood from the 1980s onwards.
Into Cairns Street.
Looking at the fragility caused by the years of neglect and failed regeneration.
We get down to details.
How the people of Granby Four Streets pulled together and turned all this around. Turning the Four Streets into a creative force with its street markets and guerrilla gardening. The gardening leading directly to the idea of forming a Community Land Trust to give the people of the place a true stake in its future. Then seizing the moment when the loathed Housing Market Renewal Initiative was stopped to start working with sympathetic partners on finally sorting the Four Streets out, in intelligent and various ways, with no simple single approach or developer.
And while we talk, builders from LMH, Liverpool Mutual Homes listen.
And when we tell everyone who they are and explain the significance of this day for Cairns Street and Jermyn Street there is a burst of spontaneous applause. The builders are very welcome here.
Next, we’re all off to Anfield.
To Homebaked.
Well actually the launch of the National CLT Network was supposed to take place in Homebaked, but so many people wanted to come that Homebaked arranged to borrow a room off the football club over the road.
So after a quick visit to the bakery we all cross the road.
To Liverpool FC.
And up to the Executive boxes.
In the corner of the ground.
Just next to the Kop as was.
We gather for the launch.
Lunch is, of course, provided by Homebaked.
And Britt Jurgensen from Homebaked welcomes everyone and gets the discussions going.
Talking about ‘manifestation and negotiation’
About how, when they opened Homebaked last year it was a positive decision to ‘manifest’ themselves and become what they wanted to be. Even though at that stage their building was still scheduled for demolition. Now, Britt tells us, the line of demolition has been redrawn round the bakery. So this one precious bit of old Anfield will now definitely survive.
Though not so the terraced houses next to them which they had hoped to restore through their CLT as affordable homes for local people. So now they are beginning to plan new build homes instead.
“It’s all about manifestation and negotiation.”
Then Erika Rushton, Chair of the Granby 4 Streets CLT tells more of our story and progress.
And discussions continue through the afternoon. From other places, urban and rural. And from the worlds of finance and investment.
Watched over benignly by Kenny Dalglish and Jamie Carragher.
Catherine Harrington launches the National Community Land Trust Network.
And announces urban and general CLT grants that can now be applied for.
Homebaked sandwiches and cakes are eaten. Information and experiences are exchanged.
By people all engaged in changing their worlds, in small pieces of land at a time.
Whilst around us the great stadium listens.
And Anfield basks in the summer sunshine.
We walk away down the side of Homebaked along a demolished street.
And drive away through the gradually encroaching streets of new houses.
Where, it seems, all might not be going so well.
We don’t knock and find out why though. We’re all talked out for today.
See here for full details of the Granby 4 Streets CLT. How to get involved and who is doing what in the Four Streets.
