THE preferred developer earmarked to build houses on Sefton Park’s historic Meadowlands is to be revealed within four weeks, city council cabinet member Malcolm Kennedy has revealed, with a planning application submitted by the end of August.

 Cllr Kennedy was responding to a question about the controversial sell-off from the leader of the Liberal Democrats on the council, Cllr Richard Kemp.

Campaigners have been waging a battle to halt the proposed sale of the land, since it was revealed in May 2013, describing it as tantamount to flogging the city’s crown jewels.

There have been picnics and petitions but to little avail. Former council leader Mike Storey even accused Mayor Joe Anderson of carrying on the policies of Militant and destroying the very green essence of the character of the city.  "We are back to the days of selling off our green and open spaces to the highest bidder. The only people who will benefit will be the property developers."

Sefton MeadowlandsOne day all this will be houses

Nevertheless, the council has consistently argued the Meadowlands is not part of Sefton Park, but a "piece of incidental open space" outside its perimeter road. Mayor Anderson wants to sell the land, to provide a top-end development of executive homes. He says the cash will be used to invest in the city parks and create an open-air stage for music events in Sefton Park. 
 
Cllr Kemp asked: “Given that is six months since the closure of the tender process for the disposal of the Sefton Park Meadowlands and two months since trial bores were undertaken on the land. Would the Cabinet member please indicate when a report on the matter will be presented to cabinet and when it is anticipated that a planning application will be received?
 
In response, Cllr Kennedy, who is the cabinet member for regeneration, transport and climate change, said: “Due to the development sensitivities attributed to this site, a number of informative investigations have been essential to enable a sympathetic and exemplar scheme to be evaluated.

"This due diligence work has taken time to evolve to ensure that the right scheme is presented for public consultation. It is currently envisaged that the council will be in a position to announce who the preferred development partner will be within the next four weeks.

"Following the aforementioned consultation exercise a planning application is expected to be submitted before the end of August. A report outlining the commercial aspects of the deal will then be presented to Cabinet seeking ratification.”

Initial expressions of interest were received five months ago from a number of as yet unnamed developers. During June initial ground investigations were undertaken at the Meadowlands.