Telegraph House primed for green light
Developer Crossfield Exclusive’s plans for 74 apartments at the central Crosby site look set for approval next week.
Crossfield bought the Moor Lane office/retail building from Str Modwen in May 2020 for £1m. Plans were submitted this April for a new-build project, featuring 11,000 sq ft of retail and commercial space at ground floor and 74 apartments on the upper floors, with a rooftop garden.
Studio RBA is the architect. The development is to be part four storeys, part five.
Aerial view of the plans for Telegraph House. Credit: via planning documents
The plans are recommended for approval when Sefton Council’s planning committee meets on 20 October, with the condition that around £200,000 is paid towards off-site affordable housing in the borough – local policy is for a third of new residential developments to be affordable, a total the applicant says is unviable at this site. The developer said it has approached five registered providers, none of whom were interested.
Other issues facing planners are the shortfall, in the context of the supplementay planning document, in outdoor amenity space provided (made up for by proximity to other spaces) and how the proposed construction relates to neighbours such as the art deco-influenced Glenn Buildings.
These were revamped under St Modwen’s ownership, before the developer exited Crosby.
Around 120 neighbours were consulted on the Crossfield plans, with 52 of the 57 responses being in favour of the development.
In recommending approval, offices note that “the scheme offers a range of economic benefits and would be a stimulus for further redevelopment in Crosby”.
Well done to Crossfield and to Studio RBA – this is just the sort of scheme needed to lift Crosby village further and enable it to fulfil its potential.
By Sceptical
Crosby has all the ingredients to become a classy living destination once more.
Great rail connections, local and chain shops, places to eat, the beach and the Gormley statues, private schools.
Just needs a few more schemes like this to attract younger people.
By Anonymous
Crosby has some great schools of course, and is a good place to live with a family. In terms of being a magnet for younger people, in common with all areas of the city, what’s needed are jobs.
I’m sure if a tech giant rocked up and made it home it would become a place where people want and need to live in flats. Failing that happening, I don’t see this adding to anything other than developer profit rather than demographic shift.
There is an over abundance on offer for city centre oriented persons, and this isn’t even near a station. I honestly don’t know who this is for.
Thanks to the developers for the two hundred grand towards affordable housing though. Maybe someone can put that towards a deposit on something.
By Jeff
They should reinstate the road, it would make the village a lot more appealing.
By Geoff