Derelict site to house student scheme after false starts

A DERELICT site where several development plans have previously stalled is to be brought back into use.

Land at Chatham Place, once occupied by a school, is to become student accommodation under proposals given the green light by Liverpool City Council’s Planning committee.

The intention is to have the accommodation ready for the September 2016 intake.

A total of 399 student bedrooms will be created at the scheme to be known as Queensland Place comprising 25 studios and 73 cluster units. The site had previously received consent for student accommodation amongst other residential approvals over the last 10 years.

The present scheme included the addition of an extra storey in height and an increase in the number of bedrooms, plus additional student welfare facilities.

It was designed by Falconer Chester Hall and sees a U-shaped block wrapping around the site with two additional wings inside. The buildings, which range in height from six to three storeys, are arranged around four courtyard areas.

Developer Elliot Lawless said: “We bought this site with the intention of starting at the earliest opportunity.

“It has been derelict for too long despite its superb location close to the University of Liverpool. Work has already started to clear the site and these new residents to the area will help support existing businesses.”

FCH director Alastair Shepherd said: `While there is an ongoing review of student accommodation across the city we are grateful that the local authority acknowledged that the site already has a live consent and that the changes will improve the scheme for students.

“We have been mindful to ensure that the height of the building was only changed where existing residents are unaffected.”