Council approves 80-bed hotel scheme opposite new Everton ground

Plans for a new 80-bed hotel on the doorstep of Everton FC’s new 52,888-seat stadium were passed by Liverpool City Council planning committee this morning, despite deep concerns over the lack of parking throughout the area.

The scheme has been proposed by applicant, Rohan Hughes, and supported by agent, Liverpool-based Atelier 2 Architecture, situated on land bounded by Regent Road, Fulton Street and Blackstone Street in the Kirkdale ward, and directly opposite the £760m stadium set to open for the 2025-26 football season.

The site of the proposed hotel includes a Grade II-listed building in the form of a former mill, on Fulton Street.

The immediate area next to the vacant land, consists of a parade of former three-storey warehouse buildings.

The application proposes to erect a five-storey hotel, reduced from an original application for nine storeys, linked to the conversion of the listed building.

There would be a total of 32 bedrooms within the conversion of the listed building and 48 bedrooms within the new build element.

Proposed hotel scheme – image planning docs

The scheme would include a basement spa, pool, reception, treatment rooms, changing facilities and wc’s. A restaurant and bar are also proposed as part of the design. The proposed delivery period for the development is approximately two years.

Planning officers recommended approval for the scheme.

The committee convened following a site visit to the area.

In his presentation, Dylan Jones, of Atelier, said: “We see this as a really good opportunity. We are working with an international hotel chain. We see this as a very good long term viable use of the building.”

Cllr Pat Maloney responded: “It is almost brutalist brickwork and I don’t find it aesthetically pleasing.”

Cllr Joe Hanson agreed, saying: “I’m not sure about red brick opposite Everton’s ground, but you can’t have everything.”

But he added: “When I look at it I am more than pleased. I believe this application will be a catalyst for other applications to come in.”

Cllr William Shortall echoed several comments regarding the lack of parking, saying: “Parking and transport is awful and it is not going to get any better.”

Council planners accept the lack of parking provision contradicts standards, but argued that, on balance, the scheme is acceptable due to bringing a listed building back into use.

The council’s highways department also revealed that it intends to introduce proposals for changes to parking provision ahead of planned safety test events at the stadium which will involve a 10,000-capacity event next February, followed by other events based on a 25,000 capacity, and a final event at full capacity.

Councillors passed the application, and the return to use of a listed building, unanimously.