Councillors on Liverpool’s planning committee unanimously approve new six-storey student living scheme despite planning officials admitting the area already has ‘too much student accommodation’. Tony McDonough reports
Liverpool councillors have given the go-ahead to a new student living development in the city’s Fabric District despite planning officers admitting the area already has “too much student accommodation”.
Molyneux Developments can now press ahead with plans for the 75-bed scheme in Gildart Street off London Road. The developer had previously secured consent on the same site in 2024 but changing fire regulations has necessitated a redesign.
This latest version of the project comprises 75 bedspaces in 15 studios and 10 six-bed ‘cluster flats’. There will be a 1,100 sq ft commercial unit on the ground floor as well as a gym, workspaces, a cinema, a roof terrace and cycle storage.
An operator, Vivo Living, has been lined up by Molyneux to run the facility. Vivo already manages three other student blocks close by with 100% occupancy.
Planners had recommended approval for the project and councillors unanimously gave it the go-ahead with no one voicing any concerns.
In their report to the committee officials said: “There is already too much student accommodation in the Fabric District. The Fabric District CIC has undertaken research into the provision of different types of accommodation in the area.
“In 2023 the research found that of 3,851 units of accommodation in the area, there were 3,255 units of student accommodation (84.5% of the total) as opposed to just 596 of other residential accommodation (15.5% of total).
“Further student accommodation in the area prevents sites being used for other uses including other forms of accommodation in the area, something which is detrimental both to the immediate area and the wider city.”
Click here to read the full report
A neighbourhood to the east of the city centre, the Fabric District has become a hub for independent businesses, new homes and cultural spaces. The former TJ Hughes store is now a residential development.
It suffered decline for many years but in recent times the area, which centres around London Road and extends to the University of Liverpool campus and Kensington, has started to undergo a process of regeneration.
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In July LBN revealed the city council was to use £3.4m of Section 106 funds (money from developers for local improvements to the public realm) to upgrade the London Road corridor linking the Knowledge Quarter and Lime Street.
This latest student living scheme has been designed by Revival Architecture. The project team also includes Baltic PDC and AJF Engineering Consultants.