Developer circumvents planning refusal using Permitted Development changes
Manchester-based developer, CERT Property, has used recently changed planning laws to circumvent refusal of its scheme by Liverpool City Council.
The council’s planning committee twice rejected their officers’ recommendations and refused permission for CERT to convert a former city centre office block into residential space.
Councillors turned down the application at two meetings in June this year to convert the former Barclays Bank office building in Moorfields, opposite the Merseyrail station, into 45 apartments, including single-level and duplex apartments, known as Centric House.
The bid was initially refused on June 4, by a vote of 5-4, with councillors citing S106 matters and affordable housing issues.
It was heard again on June 25, but, once again, refused, on a 5-3 vote split, on the same grounds.
CERT claimed the scheme was unable to provide for affordable housing or any financial contribution because it was not viable, even before the affordable housing units and S106 contributions were factored in.
A visualisation of Centric House
After the second refusal CERT declined to comment when contacted by TheBusinessDesk.com.
Now, CERT said it was gearing up to start work converting the site with permitted planning permission, confirmed by Liverpool City Council.
It follows a change to Permitted Development rules by the previous government in March this year, regarding the upper limit on the size of buildings that can be converted from offices to apartments.
CERT managing director, Howard Lord, said: “We’ve been active in the Liverpool commercial market for several years, with our highly successful creative and tech hub, Elevator Studios, and our award-winning restoration and letting of Duke & Parr.”
“We have operated Centric as serviced offices for a number of years and with the pandemic affecting occupancy, the opportunity arose to look to extend our residential expertise into Liverpool to reinvigorate Centric.”
He added: “Planning reform is a hot topic, with, in our view, the viability process being something requiring specific focus from Labour’s newly formed government to help the process run smoothly and ensure housing targets are met.
“Our residential track record in Manchester speaks for itself with our commitment to deliver contemporary and desirable places to live, with this same approach applied to our first residential venture in Liverpool.”
Centric will offer high quality, central urban living spaces with 46 one- and two-bed apartments, featuring a resident community lounge, secure underground parking and bike-storage provision approved.
CERT’s contractors are confirmed as Truman Design & Build who recently completed the Molo Hotel scheme, on Duke Street in Liverpool. Truman is due to take possession of the site the second week of September to commence works, which are expected to complete within a year.
Enabl is advising on the planning consultancy and acting as the quantity surveyor on CERT’s Centric scheme.
Centric will be operated by CERT’s in-house property management team when it completes in 2025.
