Councillors on Liverpool’s planning committee block two residential developments that would have provided 107 new homes. Tony McDonough reports
Two residential developments in Liverpool have failed to secure planning consent with reasons given including the lack of affordable provision and loss of open space.
These latest decisions by councillors on the city’s planning committee come after they refused permission in December 2024 for a 261-home development in the city’s Baltic district only to change their minds and give it the go-ahead just weeks later.
However, on that occasion planning officers had recommended approval. In these latest applications officers had recommended they be refused.
One is a 56-apartment project on a plot between Great Mersey Street and Lancaster Street in Vauxhall by Great Mersey Street developments, a development vehicle which lists John, Paul, and Julian Flanagan as directors.
Having failed in its bid for a 66-home scheme in 2023, Great Mersey had returned with an amended application. It comprised three blocks with 12 one-bedroom and 44 two-bedroom apartments.
Baldwin Design Consultancy designed the scheme while Broadgrove Planning and Development submitted the application on behalf of Great Mersey. Planners recommended refusal failing to meet the city council’s affordable housing requirement and councillors agreed unanimously.
Riverside Labour MP Kim Johnson had objected to the scheme, along with a number of her constituents, citing the lack of affordable housing. There was also concern about the buildings overshadowing nearby bungalows.
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In their report recommending refusal, planners stated: “No affordable homes are proposed as part of the scheme thereby not contributing to Liverpool’s affordable housing needs.
“Open space, trees and biodiversity net gain financial contributions and commitments required to address policy requirements will not be met, despite the conclusion that these can be viably met.
“The proposal would therefore result in a net loss of biodiversity and an under provision of open space and trees.”
Councillors also unanimously rejected an application by Paul Courtney to build 51 new homes off Parkview Road in Croxteth on the outskirts of the city. Officers recommended refusal on the basis the site “holds both a recreational function and visual amenity”.
Broadgrove Planning and Development submitted the plans on behalf of Mr Courtney. They comprised two three-storey blocks containing 37 apartments as well as 14 three-bedroom houses.
This development, also designed by Baldwin Design Consultancy, would also have offered 67 car parking spaces. The application was refused despite support from local Labour councillor Anthony Lavelle.