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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
National
Liam Thorp

Reports of 'illegal lockdown party' at city centre apartments now seeking planning permission

There were reports of an 'illegal lockdown party' at a set of city centre apartments that could now be given full planning permission.

Plans have been submitted to Liverpool City Council, which could see three short term letting apartments at Number 7 Sweeting Street in the city centre given retrospective planning permission.

According to planning documents, the proposal site was converted to residential accommodation, creating three two-bed flats without planning permission - but this was retrospectively approved including specific conditions.

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But those conditions were not complied with and the apartments have been in use without the benefit of planning permission, as serviced apartments.

The applicant, listed in the planning papers as Luke Braithwaite, was issued with a letter from the council's planning enforcement team on August 18 2020 telling him that planning permission was required and that the use must stop.

A new application has now been submitted which seeks to retain the use of the building as three short-term letting apartments.

This move has been objected to by City Centre Councillor Nick Small, who pointed to complaints made about the apartments during one of the Covid-19 lockdowns.

In Cllr Small's representations, he states: "It should be noted that there have been a significant number of complaints made about this property including a large illegal party held on 6 and 7 August in breach of lockdown."

He added that he believes the planning permission, if granted, would 'damage the city centre housing market, taking residential apartments needed to meet Liverpool's housing demand out of use as residential for use as short-term lettings."

Cllr Small said that if the plans are approved, there should be conditions put in place to prevent the apartments being let as 'party flats or for stag and hen parties.'

He said this could be achieved by putting in place a maximum number of guests allowed to stay at any one time.

Despite these objections and the history of the site - planning officer's are recommending that the latest application is approved when it comes before the planning committee on Tuesday.

The report states: "It is acknowledged that local residents and the ward councillors have raised an objection to the use of this property for serviced apartments, having initially been approved (retrospectively) for residential use. However, it is necessary to base the planning assessment of the proposal on the provisions of the development plan and any other material considerations."

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