Plans to build a spectacular cluster of skyscrapers close to Liverpool waterfront – one 60 storeys high – backed by Home Bargains tycoon Tom Morris take huge step forward as first tower secures planning consent. Tony McDonough reports
Davos Property Developments and Beetham Davos have secured planning consent for the first of a cluster of skyscrapers close to Liverpool waterfront.
On Tuesday councillors on the city’s planning committee approved the first ‘pathfinder’ developing on the site of what is currently the King Edward Industrial Estate. It comprises 28 storeys and 255 one, two and three-bedroom apartments.
“It feels like we’ve pushed a big green button marked ‘go’,” said Hugh Frost of Beetham Davos. Backed by Home Bargains billionaire Tom Morris, this scheme will eventually see 10 skyscrapers with the tallest reaching 60 storeys.
It will comprise 2,750 apartments, 200,000 sq ft of office space, a new 25,000 sq ft events arena and 250,000 sq ft of commercial leisure, retail, and food and beverage space.
This consent “sends an important signal to the market”, added Hugh, as the firm gears up to update global investors and end-users at the MIPIM international property expo in Cannes in March.
“My thanks to the city council for their guidance and support and to my team for their hard work and focus. The tower is fully-funded by the project shareholders and we will now move forward at pace.”
Designed by scheme master planner Brock Carmichael, the first tower will include a residents’ lounge, gym and workspace on the first floor, with the top floor boasting two indoor lounges and a large outdoor space for barbecues and social gatherings.
Chris Bolland, managing director at Brock Carmichael, added: “This provides the springboard for the whole scheme and gives an added boost to our work on the wider masterplan.
“We aim to consult with the public on our proposals in Q2 before submitting a hybrid application. In the meantime, detailed work with the local authority and other stakeholders continues.”
This first tower on the eight-acre site will be located on the plot which includes the former Bacchus Taverna at the junction of Waterloo Road and the now stopped-up Galton Street, at the scheme’s northwest boundary.
An application to remove this and neighbouring buildings was submitted in September and negotiations are now underway with specialist contractors, with the aim of starting demolition in the spring.
“The consent demonstrates real progress as well as an indication of the local authority’s wider support for the scheme,” said Hugh Frost.
““We have several events planned at MIPIM where we will be revealing further news that will leave people in no doubt about the scale and quality of the opportunity. Liverpool is a global brand and people want to see a skyline to match its status.”
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Cllr Nick Small, Cabinet Member for Growth and Economy, said: “Today’s approval is a huge step forward for Liverpool’s continued regeneration journey.
“The King Edward Triangle is a once in a generation opportunity to reshape an underused part of the waterfront, and this pathfinder building is the first visible sign of that transformation.”
Pegasus Group is providing planning, economics, heritage and EIA Services to the client team behind the King Edward scheme. Brock Carmichael are the masterplan architects, with Planit leading on landscape design.