Tobacco Warehouse plans set for approval
The developer behind ambitious plans for Liverpool's Stanley Dock should see fresh proposals for the dock's Grade II listed Tobacco Warehouse approved next week.
The north Liverpool dock falls within the city's World Heritage Site but has been derelict for at least 50 years.
Its regeneration became a reality after the area was awarded £25m from the government's Regional Growth Fund last month.
Stanley Dock Properties, owned by Dublin-based Patrick Doherty, has reworked earlier plans that were approved in 2008.
It has reduced the number of apartments from 634 to 335 and made them "live/work units" – suitable for either work or residential use.
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 interim head of planning has recommended it is approved by Liverpool's planning committee when it meets on December 13.
The report states: "The redevelopment of the Stanley Dock would contribute significantly to the regeneration of north Liverpool… granting planning permission and listed building consent for the conversion of the Tobacco Warehouse will be the first step on the way for future regeneration in the surrounding arrea and furthermore that it will encourage the applicanted to bring forward their proposals for the rest of the Stanley Dock complex."
There have been no objections to the plans, although English Heritage is concerned about the style of window proposed and the developer will have to make special arrangements for a pair of peregrine falcons that nest on the site.
The RGF cash was awarded to the North Liverpool City Fringe Employment and Investment programme, which has been developed by economic development company Liverpool Vision, Stanley Dock Properties and community regeneration specialist The Eldonian Group.
The programme is centred on an area between Liverpool's city centre and the new Enterprise Zone planned around Peel Group's Mersey Waters scheme. It is expected to create 1,780 jobs and safeguard a further 2,280 posts.
