Developer jumps gun in rush to open Everton FC’s Howard Kendall Suite
Intersky Commercial Enterprises has begun moving shipping containers onto Collingwood Dock for its members’ club matchday venue – without planning permission.
Named the Howard Kendall Suite, the 22,000 sq ft, 140-capacity scheme would provide an external food and beverage offer a dock away from Everton’s Hill Dickinson stadium.
The venue has argued that it has sensitively dealt with heritage concerns and has permitted development rights due to its request for a temporary lease.
Permitted development rights allow small-scale works without the need to apply for permission.
Intersky’s application was submitted to Liverpool City Council in June.
A report to Liverpool City Council’s licensing committee has flagged the early start by the developer.
Peter Jones, representing the city council’s planning and building control office, said he was dissatisfied with Intersky.
His representation said: “The applicant has irresponsibly gone ahead and commenced unauthorised works, which has necessitated a planning enforcement investigation.
“This disregard for the planning regulatory process suggests the applicant will be spurred on to proceed further with its unauthorised development in time for the start of the new football season.”
Jones added that due to the development’s use as a late-night bar, extra consideration must be taken through both the planning and licensing process to “clear any public safety concerns” for any visitors to the venue, particularly around waterside intoxication.
Councillors will decide whether to grant the venue its requested licence at a sub-licensing committee next month.
Others, including charity Adopt a School and the nearby Friends of Allonby Canoe Club will also be offered the space if required, according to planning documents. Credit: via Howard Kendall Suite
A spokesperson for the Howard Kendall Suite said: “We are adhering to all advice and remain in contact with all relevant parties, including the city council’s planning department, building control, and licensing committees.”
Fleshed-out designs for the seven intertwined shipping containers by ArchiTech Design show how those who purchase a seasonal membership would use the site for food and drinks pre- and post-game.
The seven containers surround a 1,900 sq ft outdoor terrace that provides views across to the Hill Dickinson stadium.
In addition, a children’s cookery school is part of the proposal, utilising existing relationships with Everton in the Community, the Academy of Culinary Art, and the Liverpool Foundation.
The venue has been named after ex-Everton FC captain and club legend Howard Kendall.
According to a planning statement submitted by Pegasus Group, the Howard Kendall Suite would host seasonal members targeting those who aren’t able to commit to the hospitality offer at Everton’s £750m stadium.
Liverpool City Council declined to comment.
To view the application, use the planning reference number 25F/1680 in Liverpool City Council’s planning portal.
The new stadium plans had been around for ages and that’s before construction began, so why didn’t LCC get a master plan up off the ground at the same time. We could have had a new compliment of hotels, bars, restaurants and apartments surrounding the stadium. A new Merseyrail station could have been ready by now, Its a licence to print money, so why hasn’t anything been done?
By GetItBuilt!
Shame they can’t be as quick to actually get through planning applications. They’re a joke, and currently a millstone around the cities neck.
By L17
The ground is stunning
By Anonymous
Why is a planning officer writing objections to a licence application?
By Anonymous
The applicants must know that the planning department and committee are awkward to deal with at the best of times so should have proceeded with care.
Judging by what Mr Jones has said the matter is going to be investigated thoroughly and may take some time to resolve, so I would hope no one has made advanced bookings.
By Anonymous
Not bothered
By Peter smith
Nice to see PNW report on the one thing that sets this apart from other proposals happening in this area.
“…a children’s cookery school is part of the proposal, utilising existing relationships with Everton in the Community, the Academy of Culinary Art, and the Liverpool Foundation.”
I picked up on this when reviewing the app and thought it was a great offer for the local community, real social value! Most of these proposals will only be used during match days but not this one, the space will be used for much needed skills and training. It also sounds like there is a plan of action already through the Liverpool Foundation, it’s not just lip service.
Surely this has to be properly considered when LCC look at the pros/cons. Yes they have started works at risk but I’m assuming this is a calculated risk to ensure they can (hopefully) open when the season starts.
By Anonymous
The stadium is fantastic but the surrounding infrastructure is a joke. No forward master plan is typical of Liverpool City Council.
By Anonymous
This is a lie, I have just went past there and there are no containers ?
By Anonymous
The amount of unlawful development taking place across the city, impacting residents, yet this is getting the focus because it’s proximity to a shiny box used once/twice a week.
By Anonymous
Approve the bloody thing! Stop holding development back unnecessarily and let the city thrive!
By Anonymous
Looks very glamorous.
By Anonymous
Sure, let’s have a ‘world class’ stadium surrounding by unused land and derelict docks.. great advert for the city. Shortsighted and classically anti development as usual, LCC
By Anonymous
The council need to remember that the stadium will host Euro 2028 games, so they will need to get their act together to enable the construction of facilities for visiting supporters.
By Anonymous
Cant figure this out, what if Everton by the Nelson Dock or someone else builds in front blocking the view. ?
By Anonymous
@Anon 1.27pm, if you read the article, para 3, it states this venture is for a temporary period, so if someone did develop on Nelson Dock, which won’t be imminent, then this project will upsticks.
By Anonymous
I’m not sure some shipping containers with plastic plants outside is much of an improvement on an empty dock, it’s just a cashgrab. Would prefer a more sustainable long-term option on the site.
By Anonymous