Tobacco Warehouse plans approved

Liverpool City Council has approved new plans for the city's Grade II listed Tobacco Warehouse at Stanley Dock.

Stanley Dock Properties, owned by Dublin-based Patrick Doherty, has reworked earlier plans that were approved in 2008.

Its regeneration has become a reality after the area was awarded £25m from the government's Regional Growth Fund last month.

In the new plans, drawn up by Dublin architect Darmody, the number of apartments has been reduced from 634 to 335.

They will also be larger with an average size of 1,300 sq ft and will each have a double-height space with a mezzanine floor to counter the low warehouse ceilings.

The amount of office space has increased by 8,000 sq ft to 44,000 sq ft and the firm is also proposing 10,700 sq ft of retail and 9,000 sq ft of restaurants and bars.

There will also be 36,000 sq ft of public exhibition space – an increase of 6,000 sq ft – and 576 car parking spaces, a reduction of 200.

According to planning documents the developer believed these changes would make the scheme, "more economically viable in the current climate".

The north Liverpool dock falls within the city's World Heritage Site but has been derelict for at least 50 years.