In June Liverpool councillors rejected plans for a £50m residential scheme in the Baltic Triangle but now the project wins approval at the second time of asking. Tony McDonough reports
Ascot Luxury Living has finally secured planning consent for its £50m residential development in Liverpool’s Baltic district.
After working with council planners on the project for two years, Ascot was dismayed in early June when councillors on the city’s planning committee rejected the plans in a stand-off over a lack of ‘affordable’ apartments in the 194-unit scheme.
A viability assessment, independently reviewed, showed that the scheme would not be viable if the council forced the developer to include ‘affordable’ homes. An affordable home is where the rent or sale price is no more than 80% of local market rate.
However the development, designed by Falconer Chester Hall, has now been passed by the committee at the second time of asking. It will see the former Bogan’s Carpets site on New Bird Street demolished, with a new build rising to nine and 10 storeys in its place.
It will comprise 96 one-bed and 98 two-bedroom apartments. Residents will have exclusive access to a 4,520 sq ft terrace on the first floor, facing New Bird Street. There will also be six co-working and commercial units on the ground and mezzanine floors.
Ascot Luxury Living is part of the Crosby-based Ascot Group. Chief executive Terry Riley said on Tuesday: “We appreciate the council’s willingness to reconsider the scheme and are pleased that our vision for the site has now been supported.
“My thanks go to the committee and to the officers who helped guide us through the process.”
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This development benefits from close proximity to the new £100m Baltic Merseyrail station, set for completion at the end of 2027. Terry believes that such connectivity will be a major boost to the whole area.
“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,” he added.
Scheme architect Robert Brym also said: “With such a prominent frontage it was important that the ground floor was fully animated. The commercial units will also provide much-needed stock in an area where demand exceeds supply.”
The design includes a range of features such as PV panels, high-efficiency ventilation, improved insulation values, and a car-free strategy, encouraging sustainable modes of transport. No car parking provision is available, with 194 cycle spaces in its place.
Also on the project team is Broadgrove Wardell Armstrong, GIA Surveyors, PG Consulting, SEED Arboriculture, Orion Fire Engineering, Place & Context, Acoustic & Engineering Consultants and SK Transport Planning.