PLANNING | Reds proposal returns to committee

Liverpool FC’s plan to host up to 10 events in May and June of each year returns to Liverpool City Council’s planning committee next Tuesday, again with a recommendation to approve.

At August’s committee, committee went against officer recommendation and resolved to refuse planning permission on the grounds that “the proposed development would have a significant detrimental impact on the amenity of existing residential occupiers and would have a significant negative impact on the local transport and highway network.”

LFC’s advisor Turley has submitted the additional information requested in August as to what the club is prepared to do to mitigate the impact on the neighbourhood. This includes a ward councillors’ forum, a concerted campaign to promote good behaviour through messaging in and around the ground, and enhanced CCTV, as well as a grassroots fan campaign to try and improve behaviour on LFC matchdays.

Other projects to be considered by the committee include a residential project from YPG, the conversion of the Gostins Building on Hanover Street and sheltered housing in Everton.

Approval recommended

Gostins Building, Hanover Street

Developer: Hanover Holding

Architect: Niboco/Studio RBA

Planner: Roman Summer Associates

Apartments: 47

Hotel rooms: 154

Storeys: 11

Scheme: The application seeks to change the use of the ground to sixth floors to a 154-bedroom hotel, with the seventh floor converted to 11 apartments, and a four-storey rooftop extension added with a further 36 apartments. The building, next to to the Novotel, was until recently home to a number of small retailers and short-term office lets.

Consultee Historic England, while welcoming the reuse of the building, regards the extension as “comparably large” and urged the council to evaluate the argument that such a size is necessary for viability.

Gildart Street

Developer and architect: YPG Developments

Landscape architect: Layer

Apartments: 449

Storeys: seven to 10

Scheme: YPG’s application is a resubmission of a scheme approved in 2017, with changes made to the make-up of the project. The application also covers a change of use to landscaped area, with both applications falling within land characterised by large, low-level industrial buildings off Islington.

YPG is proposing three blocks, with the 10-storey Block A to house 79 one-bed, 47 two-bed and 110 studio apartments; the ten-storey Block B to house 87 one-bed apartments, 70 studios, bin store, cycle store, plant and two retail units; and the seven-storey Block C housing 56 studios and a single shop. The site neighbours YPG’s Devon Street project.

West Derby Road

Developer: West Tree Estates

Architect: Falconer Chester Hall

Apartments: 115 sheltered housing flats

Storeys: Two to six

Scheme: The site bound by West Derby Road, Caird Street and Grant Gardens, with the developer proposing two blocks, one of two to four storeys, the other of four to six. The proposal has received 44 letters of objection, plus a 150-strong petition.

Brunswick Park phase three

Developer: Carpenter Investments

Architect: L7 Architects

Planner: The Planning Studio

Apartments: 86

Storeys: Six to eight

Scheme: The proposal covers phase three of Carpenter’s New Brunswick Village scheme, and is bound by Grafton Street, Park Street, Caryl Street and Brunswick phase two. The site is currently vacant and classed as brownfield. From its original 2016 submission, the scheme has been reduced from 89 apartments.

Liverpool FC, Anfield

Scheme: The club is seeking to host up to 10 music concerts or other major events per calendar year, which could include American Football, rugby or boxing. Events would take place in May or June, before the pitch is relaid before each football season.