Relief for Ascot as Baltic block among 337 approved homes
Liverpool City Council has given consent to both Ascot Luxury Living’s application for a 194-apartment block and the plans for Carnatic Halls’ regeneration into a 143-home neighbourhood.
Bogan’s Carpet Warehouse
Bogan’s Carpet Warehouse will be razed to clear the way for the £50m development, which will rise nine and 10 storeys and look over the £100m Liverpool Baltic station when it completes at the end of 2027.
Ascot previously had its application rebutted by councillors, who requested a full report on viability and the failure to provide 20% affordable housing, calling Ascot’s viability argument “totally unconvincing”.
The developer subsequently undertook the assessment and concluded “the scheme would not be able to bear the costs of any affordable housing”, with Ascot citing “£5m worth of abnormal costs” tied to the development.
Falconer Chester Hall has designed the building with a statement first floor balcony sitting above six public-facing commercial units. The block will offer 96 one-bed and 96 two-bed flats, and two two-bed, four-person apartments.
Terry Riley, chief executive, Ascot Group, said: “We appreciate the council’s willingness to reconsider the scheme and are pleased that our vision for the site has now been supported.
“I have no doubt the new station will turbo-charge development in the neighbourhood. It’s a major factor in our thinking, and it will be key to attracting even more employers and residents to the Baltic Triangle.
“Merseyrail is already hugely popular, and putting stations where the demand exists makes perfect sense.”
Plans for the scheme were submitted to Liverpool City Council by planner Broadgrove Planning and Development.
Those interested in the application can view it using the planning reference number 16F/2922 on Liverpool City Council’s planning portal.
The scheme would span 22 acres. Credit: Google Earth
Carnatic Halls
Despite a lively debate over viability and heritage, Bellway and the University of Liverpool have been allowed to proceed with the redevelopment of the former Carnatic Halls of Residence site after a unanimous decision.
The scheme offers a mix of 15 one- and 50 two-bed apartments installed across five blocks, two in the site’s south eastern corner, and three at the site’s northern edge fronting Carnatic Road.
As for houses, Bellway will deliver 18 three-bed, 47 four-bed, and 13 five-bed units. Eight units are to be designated as affordable.
The 22-acre site hosted a 55-year-old student halls complex, part of the University of Liverpool’s estate, which closed in 2019.
A fresh access road will extend from both Elmswood Road and North Mossley Hill Road, while an area to the west of the site will be reserved as a community woodland.
To view the application, use the planning reference number 23F/2123 in Liverpool City Council’s planning portal.
Let’s see how long it takes for Ascot to get on site with this Baltic scheme, they will need to demolish the ex carpet warehouse first and that will mean spending money.
By Anonymous
Ascot? It will never happen. Cue surface car park.
By Roy
Like Liverpool waters and cruise terminal Hollywood of the North turn it in
By Anonymous
These 2 items were part of another woefully weak planning agenda of 5, with nothing to remotely set the pulses racing.
Think it’s time PNW had another chat with Samantha Campbell and Liam Robinson as Liverpool is becoming a no go zone for development with just 8 active cranes in the city. We have some schemes being held up for years eg Packaged Living and everything takes so long to satisfy the planning officers but then has to get through committee, it’s unfathomable.
By Anonymous
As others have said, do Ascot actually ever build anything? Scheme isn’t bad though.
By Mike