Baltic Triangle CIC drops objections to Legacie development
A controversial housing scheme within Liverpool’s burgeoning Baltic Triangle area could be passed by councillors when it returns before the city’s planning committee next Tuesday, September 11.
The plan by developer Legacie to build more than 500 apartments on land off Greenland Street, stretching up to the junction of Great George Street and Parliament Street, was deferred at last week’s planning meeting due to objections from councillors and the Baltic Triangle CIC (Community Interest Company).
The development proposes towers of between eight and 18-storeys high to be built in the city’s digital and cultural centre.
CIC chair Liam Kelly said: “The Baltic Triangle Area objects to this development for a number of reasons. The development will see the loss of designated green space, and world famous public art Spinning Trees.”
Spinning Trees was created by The Biennial arts group.
There was also concerns that the proposals could hinder any possible re-opening of St James Street train station, which is seen as a major component in driving the development of the Baltic Triangle area.
However, after discussions with Legacie, the CIC has withdrawn its objections.
In a statement today, the CIC said: “The Area stakeholders wish to see strategic growth with strong partnership working, in order to achieve key objectives. These include, for example, improvements being made to make the Parliament Street crossing safer and the re-opening of St James Street station.”
Over the past week the CIC, working with Legacie, had been assured by transport authority Merseytravel that none of the land included in the proposed development is needed for a possible station re-opening.
“Legacie and Merseytravel share in the ambition for a Baltic Triangle station that would serve residents living close by, as well as the growing number of businesses in the area,” said the CIC statement.
It added: “It is also welcome news that The Biennial and Legacie are working together to retain public art as part of the proposed scheme. A contract has now been signed between them.”
And it concluded: “Now that major concerns have been laid to rest, working directly with the developer, The Baltic Triangle Area CIC have withdrawn the planning objections.
“The Area CIC looks forward to working with Legacie to ensure the development enhances, and further adds to the vibrancy of the Baltic community.”
Liam Kelly said: “Working collaboratively is the bread and butter of the Baltic Triangle. It’s the reason the area is one of the fastest growing clusters in the UK.
“Given the opportunity, Legacie and the Baltic Triangle Area CIC worked together to resolve and protect ambitions for how The Baltic Triangle can continue to grow and be an asset for Liverpool City Region.”
He added: “This past week has shown the power of respectful collaboration. Even in the face of disagreement, progress can still be made. The Baltic Triangle is an example for the whole region to look, with lessons learned to be applied elsewhere.”
A spokesperson for Legacie Developments said: “We are pleased to have discussed the project in greater detail with the Baltic Area CIC and reassured them of our deep commitment to producing a quality development.
“Our plan for Greenland Street will create a brilliant mix of new homes, leisure and retail, as well as a public plaza that will further improve the locality.
“We are also very much looking forward to working in partnership with the Biennial on creating a new piece of public art.”
The proposal will go before next week’s planning committee. However, objections could still hamper Legacie’s plans, in the shape of local councillor Steve Munby who has registered a number of complaints about the plans and how the planning process has gone so far.
He has previously described the planned development as “the last thing we need at the top of the Baltic Triangle” – and said the build would be a “terrible approach” and one that would be “very damaging to a crucial area of the city”.
