New plans in for Heap’s Rice Mill

Developer One Park Lane has resubmitted plans for the Joseph Heap & Son site in Liverpool city centre, after the spot listing of the Victorian rice mill forced a change in proposals.

Heap's Rice Mill was awarded grade 2-listed status by English Heritage in August, after the application to demolish the mill to make way for five residential towers was submitted to Liverpool City Council.

Merseyside Civic Society made an application to English Heritage to list the site in March, ahead of the planning application. Permission for demolition was refused by council officers in July.

In the new plans, there will be four blocks comprising a mid-rise 14 storey building on the corner of Park Lane and Liver Street and three 10 storey units, together with the mill buildings. The homes will be a mix of private and affordable rent, with a block dedicated to serviced apartments.

The £130m scheme will deliver 800 apartments in total. Developer Elliot Lawless, speaking on behalf of One Park Lane, said that a pre-let for the entire site was close to being secured.

The scheme is designed by Falconer Chester Hall.

Adam Hall, architect at FCH, said: "since Heap's mill was spot listed we have been working with English Heritage and Liverpool City Council to find a solution for designing the high quality new development which will compliment and help secure the restoration of the mill. We believe the submitted application achieves this. We have been in a productive dialogue with all parties for a number of months now and are delighted with the outcome.

"The scheme will open up the space in front of the mills, allowing the buildings to breathe. We've opted for a tree-lined avenue from the site's Park Lane frontage to maximise the development's permeability and I think the public will love Baltic Square."

The Liverpool City Council planning committee is expected to consider the application by 28 October 2014.