Nestled in the heart of Dingle, Liverpool, a new ground-breaking community housing development is set to transform the local area. The collaborative project, led by The Florrie Community Land Trust (CLT) and The Sovini Group will reshape Dingle, providing quality homes, green spaces and a place for the community to thrive.
Liverpool City Council have set a remarkable precedent with this community-led initiative, authorising three parcels of land to be transferred from local authority ownership to The Florrie CLT.
This initiative marks a pivotal moment for community led housing in the city as plans unfold for 97 new homes, a managed workspace for 11 SME’s, dedicated green open spaces and a public civic courtyard space centred around The Florence Institute (The Florrie).
The Sovini Group has strategically worked on the vision for the CLT housing development in partnership with The Florrie since 2019, with the Group leading the development and management of the new homes.
This landmark decision by Liverpool City Council will empower communities, promote affordability and inclusivity, and demonstrates LCC’s commitment to housing solutions led by local communities.
Cllr Nick Small, Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet member for Development and Growth, said:
“I’m delighted for The Florrie that their proposal for affordable and social housing in the heart of the L8 community can now move to the final stage of our Community Led Housing process. Their business case was financially robust and of a high quality, and the relationship they have developed with The Sovini Group underscores the level of professionalism they’ve applied to making this dream a reality. The final phase is to develop a planning application and then the transfer of the land, and we look forward to having further positive dialogue with The Florrie over the coming months.”
The Florrie Community Led Housing scheme forms part of a national grassroots movement that empowers communities to take control of their housing needs. The model ensures that the transfer of land under this process remains in community ownership, protecting affordability for future generations.
The plans will focus on creating affordable social housing that prioritises members housing needs and reflects the CLT’s wider aspirations of providing a foundation for new economic opportunities. The transfer of the land will not only promote economic growth for the wider community, but will also support the charities long term sustainability plans by helping to minimise their reliance on fluctuating grant funding and corporate bookings.
Roy Williams, CEO of The Sovini Group said:
“This is a monumental moment for The Florrie and for community-led housing across the country. Our involvement in this journey has been incredibly rewarding, witnessing first-hand the dedication and passion throughout the community to shape their own future. The Florrie is directly addressing the pressing need for local affordable housing and economic opportunities. This pioneering initiative with Liverpool City Council is empowering a community to take ownership of local housing demand and is a flagship example of what can be achieved when local authorities listen to their communities. I believe this model will inspire similar projects nationwide.”
With pre-development funding secured from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, The Florrie CLT engaged architects Brock Carmichael to further develop the CLT plans.
Cllr Graham Morgan, Liverpool City Region Cabinet Member for Housing and Regeneration, said:
“In the midst of a housing crisis, it is vital that we explore innovative ways to create the affordable social housing we so urgently need. This transfer of land to a well-loved community-led organisation to enable them to build nearly 100 homes is exactly the kind of creative approach we need to adopt. That’s why we are supporting the project’s development, and I look forward to seeing it become a reality.”
The impact of this development extends far beyond housing. It will act as a catalyst for new investment, create employment opportunities and support enterprise growth – all of which will help to keep wealth circulating within the local community and drive long lasting, positive change. The transfer of the land will not only promote economic growth for the wider community, but will also help to provide financial security for The Florrie.
Kirsty Woo, local resident and one of the Directors of The Florrie CLT said:
“It’s an exciting time for everyone involved in the CLT and the transfer of the land is a major step forward. We are excited to start seeing our plans over the last six years move forward to the next phase.”
 |
 |
*All images and plans are indicative and subject to change. They are provided to give an impression of what the development may look like and do not represent final designs.
To find out more about our transformative projects and their impact on the communities we serve, visit our projects.