 IT COULD cost 10 times as much to demolish homes on Liverpool’s Edge Lane than refurbish them, a public inquiry heard yesterday. Academics speaking against a Compulsory Purchase Order to demolish 70 Victorian homes to create a new gateway into Liverpool said refurbishment was the best option because it was cheaper and more environmentally friendly. In total 370 homes will be demolished, 300 of which have already been acquired. During a day where objec-tors asked English Partnerships, the proposers of the plan, to think beyond policy set in black and white, three experts put forward alternative visions for one of the city’s main gateways. Doctor Jason Palmer, who has conducted research for the Energy Trust on home efficiency, said carbon diox-ide produced during demolition would be equivalent to the amount produced by 4,000 homes over a year. He said each new home would generate 9,200 tonnes of CO2 compared to 1,533 from the existing homes. He said his research into sustainable construction led him to believe, with social aspects aside, that refurbish-ment was best for biodiversity, environment and climate change. He said based on research, it was 10 times cheaper to refurbish a house than to build a new one. The claims were contested by Christopher Lockhart-Mummery, a barrister representing English Partnerships. Cross examining, Mr Lockhart-Mummery said the outline planning permission was for eco homes which would offset the amount of CO2 used to build them within 12 years, giving over 88 years of energy efficiency. He also countered claims on biodiveristy saying a study revealed negligible ecological value in the area. Many of the homes will have substantial gardens instead of the existing rear paved yards, which would aid biodiversity. But Professor Anne Power, who has been involved with housing market renewal and regeneration across the world, said: “It is invariably quicker and cheaper to refurbish than demolish in terms ofrebuilding the property and infrastructure.” She said a 2003 report put the cost of demolition to the public purse at £17,000-£35,000 and she estimated the cost to replace infrastructure per demolished home to be £35,000. Concentrating on the “massive social impact” Professor Power spoke on the displacement of vulnerable people and increased crime and vandalism during clearance programmes. She also spoke on the need to tame traffic and think “avant-guard” in planning, following the example of US cities where they are pulling down roads and putting communities first. The inquiry continues. | 
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