Rosmara Development Group secures consent to build 158 new homes, including a 10-storey tower and townhouses, close to Liverpool city centre and wins exemption from providing ‘affordable’ units. Tony McDonough reports
Rosmara Development Group said it will begin work on a multi-million pound residential development close to Liverpool city centre before the end of this year.
On Tuesday councillors on the city’s planning committee approved the plans following a recommendation from planning officers. This scheme, in Oriel Street in Vauxhall will comprise 158 new homes.
Designed by Falconer Chester Hall, the scheme spans the block between Oriel Street and Paul Street and fronts Vauxhall Road. It will rise to 10 storeys with a rooftop garden and will include 78 one-bed flats, 72 with two beds, and eight townhouses.
There will be ground floor commercial accommodation, including a co-working space, a gym and a coffee shop. Project architect Martin Haymes said these were key to animating the street frontage.
“This has been a real team effort, and our thanks go to all who have helped shape such a compelling application,” said a Rosmara spokesperson. “We had a very constructive dialogue with the council over eight months, working together to shape the proposals.”
However, there will be no obligation on Rosmara to provide any affordable homes. Usually the council’s requirement is that 20% of the homes are ‘affordable’ (rent or sale price no more than 80% of local market rate).
An exemption from the rule for this development relates to constrained viability but a clawback mechanism will be included so that viability can be retested once the scheme is complete.
“There’s a shortage of quality homes in this area and the council has rightly identified it as a key growth node, so we’re keen to get moving,” the spokesperson added.
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“Liverpool city centre is growing north, beyond Leeds Street, and we’ll be playing our part in delivering the quality the market demands. It’s a very well-located development and just a short walk from bus and metro stops, ticking some big boxes in that regard.”Alongside Falconer Chester Hall, the scheme’s professional team includes:
- Planning: Greyside Planning
- Fire Safety: Orion Fire Engineering
- Transport: Prime Transport Planning
- Sustainability: Element Sustainability
- Daylight: DPR
- Landscape: Urban Green
- Acoustics: ADC Acoustics
- Viability: Roger Hannah