Planners set to approve extension for 384-flat scheme
COUNCILLORS in Liverpool are set to grant a three-year extension to plans for nearly 400 apartments on industrial land north of the city centre when they meet on January 11.
Demolition firm WF Doyle & Co won outline approval for two separate schemes, one for 184 flats and another for 200 in five to eight-storey blocks, in 2008 after a protracted planning battle.
It first submitted plans in 2005 and was refused by Liverpool City Council but won on appeal. This was then overturned by the Secretary of State but WF Doyle successfully challenged this decision in the High Court.
The plans, which include 94 one-bedroom flats and 290 two-bed, have drawn fire from the Homes and Communities Agency which says they will contribute to an overprovision of one type of housing. But the agency has not made a formal objection because the scheme has been previously approved.
Liverpool’s head of planning also has concerns about the design of the flats describing the eight-storey blocks as “overbearing and oppressive” but said there was no justification for refusing the extension.
The site, between Blackstock Street and Paul Street close to the Kingsway, is currently used as a recycling base by WF Doyle. The firm’s agent Edward Landor of Edmund Kirby has previously told TheBusinessDesk that the development stalled because of the lack of credit following the 2008 banking crisis.
* Councillors will also consider an application by Altrincham developer Merepark to convert a five-storey 1960s building in Liverpool city centre into a 108-bedroom hotel.
A decision on the 7,000 sq ft site on Crosshall St, known as the Tinlings Building, was deferred last month because councillors wanted to find out more about the arrangements for car parking. Officers have recommended approval for the scheme which is expected to become a budget hotel. Merepark has agreed terms with an operator but has not yet revealed who it is.
