Increasing and renovating student accommodation, building new flats and creating a house of multiple occupation (HMO) have been considered by Liverpool Council ’s planning committee.
Members met for the first in the 2022/23 municipal year to sign off on a number of proposals across the city limits. Here is what we heard.
Student beds to increase at city centre development
Plans to increase the number of student beds at a stalled development in Liverpool city centre were signed off.
Amendments to a major project on Norton Street, Islington, have been approved by Liverpool Council’s planning committee that will allow for 574 student beds being provided on the site of a former coach station. Planning permission was granted in August 2017 for the construction of two student accommodation blocks of 10 and 16 storeys providing 566 student bed spaces.
Changes are now being made to the existing proposals that will increase the number of beds to 574. The 35,000 sqft site was used as a National Express coach station before it was vacated in 2015 and the buildings on it were demolished.
The plans were met with chilly response from Cllr Pat Moloney who said he doesn't think the building is "exciting in any way" and describes it as "humdrum, which is regretful". Committee chair Cllr Tony Concepcion said the development was positive as it advanced another stalled project in the city on a prominent site.
He added that the project would “boost the local economy, jobs and opportunities.”
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HMO to be installed above Smithdown bakery
A total of six bedrooms are to be installed across two floors above the existing Dafna's Cheese Cake Factory building on Smithdown Road. As part of the proposals, refurbishments will be made to the ground floor retail unit and the construction of a single storey extension to the rear.
Stuart Clark, case officer, said the plans for a six-bed HMO are acceptable to the relevant area, with alterations to the existing buildings thought to not be detrimental or significant. He added that the design also indicated that it wouldn’t give rise to “significant noise disturbance”.
Objections were made by Greenbank ward member, Cllr Laura Robertson-Collins, on the grounds that no further HMOs should be permitted in the area while Cllr Helen Thompson said it was “just about do-able” if the plans were contained at six occupants. Moving the plans be approved, Cllr Concepcion said the proposals met all relevant planning policy and was therefore acceptable.
Student flats to become supported housing in West Everton
A cluster of student flats will be converted into supported accommodation in an area of Liverpool city centre “struggling to cope with drug crime and violence”. A 57-bed accommodation block at the junction of Shaw Street and William Henry Street is to be repurposed into living spaces for individuals who have a support need such as a learning disability, a physical or sensory impairment, or mental ill health.
The facility will be managed by the Whitechapel Centre, a leading charity in the Liverpool region serving those in housing need. Chris Morris, on behalf of applicant Onward Homes, said the building would support 52 people at any one time and provide "an opportunity to tackle homelessness and help people back onto their feet."
Opposing the plans, Deputy Mayor and resident Cllr Jane Corbett said "this is a really difficult one" for the committee given the council's position and those who experience homelessness. She said West Everton has a "proud history" of accepting hostels, but a lot of drug dealing and violence is occurring in the area and "is increasing".
Cllr Corbett, while acknowledging the need for such a service, questioned whether the development is appropriate for the area. The council was satisfied that “on balance” the three-year plans were appropriate.
Cllr Joe Hanson said to say no to those in need of this scheme would show they don't matter, "which isn't what we're about”.
New flats in Eldonian village
A trio of three storey blocks are to be built containing 66 new flats aimed at young people on Love Lane. The development will back onto the existing Eldonian Village housing and be made into affordable properties.
The plans will include 16 two bed duplex apartments, nine two bed apartments, seven one bed wheelchair accessible apartments and 34 one bed apartments. The properties have been designed and laid out as live/work units with open plan kitchen and dining areas with access to a small balcony area fronting onto Love Lane.
The plans were approved despite a number of objections being made and will be subject to a legal agreement being signed with Liverpool Council and the applicant Eldonian Community Based Housing Association.
