Liverpool approves McLaren’s Myrtle Street student scheme 

Designed by Cartwright Pickard, the eight-storey development would be delivered on the old Ritz Roller Rink. 

McLaren Property’s Myrtle Street scheme comprises 242 bedrooms. Almost a third of the units will be studios and the rest are arranged in four-, five-, and six-bedroom clusters around common rooms. 

Liverpool City Council’s planning committee approved McLaren’s development this morning, despite the project having met with resistance in some quarters. 

Cllr Nathalie Nicholas and Cllr Tom Logan have both formally stated that they believe there are too many student accommodation schemes in that area of Liverpool. Nicholas also registered concerns over the building’s height.   

In securing planning consent, McLaren has succeeded where others did not. 

Plans for student schemes were submitted in 2015 by Lady Maddison and then in 2018 by Property Capital. Property Capital withdrew its application, while Lady Maddison’s application was disposed of by the city council after a lack of response from the developer. 

McLaren Property’s regional managing director Tom Gilman said: “We’ve worked closely with Liverpool City Council to deliver a scheme that is sensitively designed and one which respects neighbouring heritage. 

“We are excited to get started and regenerate this site and bring forward a vibrant student hub on the edge of Liverpool’s knowledge district.” 

CBRE is the planning consultant for the McLaren scheme. The project team includes Hydrock, MB Heritage, Fore, Bowland Tree Consultancy, Colemans, Atelier Ten, GIA, and Met Geo-Environmental. Ares Design is the landscape architect.