More than 2,500 people have applied to buy a home through Liverpool City Council’s Homes for a Pound Plus scheme, latest figures have revealed.

The original scheme was expanded following the success of a pilot project involving properties around Granby Four Streets and Arnside Road. The latest initiative will transform empty terraced homes off Smithdown Road in Picton.

Would-be buyers had until July 31 to apply -and by the closing date 2,560 applications had been received.

Deputy Mayor, Councillor Ann O’Byrne, says: “We have had tremendous interest in this scheme and we will now begin the hard job of assessing the applications against the eligibility and priority criteria.

“We know from previous experience that some people who apply aren’t eligible, while others decide during the process that it isn’t for them or the properties aren’t what they are looking for. Ultimately, this is about giving people the chance to get on the housing ladder as we seek to drive up the quality, standard and range of properties in the city.

“Homes for a Pound is just one of a range of measures we are using to bring a total of 4,000 houses across the city back into use.”

The homes involved in the scheme are located in and around Britannia Avenue, Altcar Avenue, Childwall Avenue, Dorset Avenue, Bird Street, Richardson Street, Garrick Street, Tunstall Street and Webster Road.

The successful applicants will be required to  live in the property for a minimum of five years, refurbish the property to the Decent Homes Standard and comply with an agreed schedule  of works.

Applicants will be contacted by the end of October and advised about the next stage of  the process.

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