£100m key worker and student apartment scheme

DEVELOPER Elliot Group had acquired Erskine Industrial Estate adjacent to Liverpool’s new Royal hospital to build a mix of key worker and student accommodation.

Amongst others, accommodation will be available for hospital staff, as well as new homes for student nurses and doctors.

The £100m development will boast state-of-the-art facilities, including yoga studios, residents’ gym, a bar and study zones and will push the boundary of the city’s expanding Knowledge Quarter further north.

The Falconer Chester Hall-designed scheme will rise to 14 storeys at its highest point and comprises two buildings tied together by comprehensive public realm incorporating mature planting.  

The scheme, just below the brow of Low Hill, already enjoys an elevated position and views from the development will stretch as far as Snowdonia.

“The development of the Royal hospital and the mayor’s recent announcement of a huge expansion to the city’s Knowledge Quarter have acted as a catalyst for our plans,” said Elliot Lawless of Elliot Group.

“Both will add further demand for nearby high quality homes, notably among workers at the hospital and students from the neighbouring medical and dental schools.  The design quality and on-site amenities are a cut above other such schemes as a result and we expect the convenient location to score very highly, too” added Mr Lawless.

The scheme will comprise 142 one and two bedroom apartments for rent to key workers, and 1007 student rooms.

Existing tenants of the estate, who are all on short-term, flexible leases, have been contacted to explain the timescales of the development and been offered professional support to identify new premises in good time.

A planning application has been submitted to Liverpool council following a customary design review with council officers.  

If planning permission is granted work is expected to start on site in summer 2017.