Liverpool developer calls for section 106 cut

A DEVELOPER planning to build the first student flats in Liverpool’s Baltic Triangle area is seeking to reduce section 106 payments by £155,000.

Liverpool-based Baltic Properties North West (BPNW) secured planning for an eight-storey block with 64 apartments on St James Street in October.

But the consent came with an obligation to £182,000 under a section 106 agreement, which earmarks cash for improvements to public space.

BPNW said the payment made the scheme unviable and has asked to pay £28,000 instead.

Its submissions to the council show it hoped to deliver the block for £3.1m – including £28,000 for the section 106 – and sell the flats for £3.27m, giving it a 5% margin. It said it was willing to take such a low profit becuase it could lead to further phases.

Council officers have recommended the application is approved at a planning committee next week, arguing that redevelopment in the area is required. The site is currently occupied by six empty shop units and a former pub.