Property developer Elliot Lawless has vowed to fight a Liverpool Council decision to block a proposed project near Toxteth.
A plan for more than 180 student bedrooms and 105 apartments on Falkner Street was rejected after a third hearing by Liverpool Council’s planning committee this morning. It was the third time the plans had been heard, having previously been rejected in March.
Now Mr Lawless has confirmed he will look to appeal the decision immediately. In a statement, Mr Lawless, founder of the Elliot Group, which made the application to Liverpool Council, said: “I am advised by my planning team that we have a very strong case and have instructed them to begin work immediately preparing our appeal.”
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During a planning meeting almost two months ago, councillors went against the local authority’s planning officers’ recommendation to approve the plans to build on the site of a former church and probation centre in L8. It was at that time, Alastair Shepherd, on behalf of the Elliot Group, revealed that the would be sold if planning permission was granted as the current owner - Mr Lawless’ firm - had “no further interest” in it.
Another city property firm, Legacie Developments, said on Monday that it hoped its “new vision” for the site would win round the planning committee as they had agreed a deal to take ownership of the location had it secure permission. Despite the plans being recommended for approval last month, Cllr Joe Hanson said the application should be refused based on the lack of parking, and the detrimental effect on residential amenity.
As a result, a further report was drafted to review and formalise the rejection today. Mr Shepherd told councillors that the plans represented a “really good, well thought out scheme” and would fit in with existing developments in the area. This was not enough to convince councillors to change their minds, who voted against Mr Lawless’ scheme going ahead.
Mr Lawless, chairman of the Elliot Group, was arrested in December 2019 along with then Liverpool Council regeneration chief Nick Kavanagh. More than £300,000 in cash was seized during raids on property linked to Mr Lawless, who was questioned on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud, bribery and corruption.
That seizure was later ruled unlawful. Both men, who have denied any wrongdoing, were arrested as part of an investigation into building and development contracts in the city.
Neither man has been charged with any offence. Mr Kavanagh was later dismissed by the council.
