Revised plans to redevelop Lime Street in Liverpool look set to receive approval, it has emerged…
New plans look set to gain approval to redevelop Lime Street, Liverpool. The plans were revised after the initial proposals were deemed too radical and were heavily criticised by heritage campaigners, as well as city mayor Joe Anderson.
The new plans will see a 412-bedroom student block, a 101-bedroom hotel and more than 30,000 sq ft of commercial space constructed. It will also see the demolition of the historic Futurist Cinema.
The proposals will go before the Liverpool City Council’s planning committee on the 11 August, who will consider the revised plans. However, a report prepared by planners has recommended the scheme be approved.
Regeneration Liverpool and Neptune Investments (which has recently re-branded itself Promenade Estates) put forward the plans to revamp the site. A full planning application was submitted in March to the city council. It originally comprised of a major mixed-use scheme with retail, leisure, accommodation, and a hotel. The listed Crown and Vine pubs at either end will be retained.
However, the plans were resubmitted in June after criticisms were levelled at the development. Speaking at the time, Managing Director of Neptune Developments Steve Parry admitted the consultation had “given us a chance to rethink the project in a wider context that looks at Lime Street’s history and its future within a rapidly changing and dynamic city centre”. He added “the new design is more urban, more visually dramatic and more integrated”.
The initial plans were met with 61 letters of objection. The revised plans received an additional 15 objections.
The report from the planners said: “The head of planning is satisfied that full consideration has been given to the retention of the façade of the Futurist and accepts that the extent of deterioration renders it extremely difficult to retain.
“He further considers that the other properties to be demolished have insufficient intrinsic historic or architectural interest that would require their retention and is satisfied that the loss of the buildings will have no adverse impact on the setting of designated assets, including listed buildings, adjoining conservation areas or the World Heritage Site.”
The report added: “The scheme will contribute towards a sustainable mix of uses in an accessible location, benefiting the local economy and providing enhanced employment prospects.”