The Salvation Army could be sitting on a development goldmine - but getting planning permission would be another story
THE Salvation Army could be heading for a multi-million pound payday if they choose to sell off the Strawberry Field site for development, according to one property expert.
Steven Beilin, owner of Liverpool-based estate agent BE Property Services, said: "The site would be worth a fortune.
"It's a greenfield site, so somebody could just buy it and turn it into flats or apartments, or extend what is already there."
He cited the example of a nearby modern development of 10 luxury detached houses, in Beaconsfield Road, close to the site of the children's home, where each house is worth around £1m.
Mr Beilin estimated that, based on an area of five acres, at a density of six properties per acre, the vendors of Strawberry Field could possibly achieve a figure in the region of £12m.
"Of course, with an added attraction like the name Strawberry Field, the site could easily find itself selling at a premium price," he added..
A spokesman for Liverpool City Council said there was a moratorium on any new building development in the part of the city where Strawberry Field was situated, which was outside the conservation area.
"Planning guidance states that any large-scale development of a piece of land has to contribute actively to the regeneration of the area, and must not be detrimental to the housing market renewal strategy in the city," he said.
"The planners would have to consider that when making their recommendation. A change of use would also have to be applied for if it was to be turned into residential accommodation.
"Also, if an application was made that covered a part of the site other than where the home now is, the applicants would have to have grounds for that because it would be taking away green space."
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