In Liverpool: Granby and Homebaked

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

Lunch is, of course, provided by Homebaked.

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.

And announces urban and general CLT grants that can now be applied for.

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.