Decision on Benmore’s Speke scheme postponed again
Benmore's plans for a major £30m retail and leisure development in Speke have been withdrawn on technical grounds from Liverpool's planning committee for the second time in three months.
The Belfast-based developer has submitted plans, through its Towerbeg subsidiary, for a seven-screen cinema, 18 commercial units and a 78-bed hotel on a 15-acre brownfield site near the New Mersey Retail Park off Speke Hall Road.
It is also seeking outline permission for a 120-bed hotel, another 78-bed hotel and a further three commercial units.
The scheme was due to be considered by the council in November but Towerbeg withdrew the application and resubmitted it for consideration on 10 January only to withdraw it again.
A spokesman for the developer said: "The application has been deferred to deal with some technical matters which have arisen. We fully expect it to be considered at a committee meeting very soon."
The proposals have been opposed by Peel Holdings, which owns land nearby, and Ford, which leases part of the site for a car storage and distribution operation. It says around 180 jobs would be lost if the plans go ahead.