A £1bn plan to build a cluster of skyscrapers close to Liverpool waterfront, backed by Home Bargains tycoon Tom Morris, sees first planning application submitted. Tony McDonough reports
Davos Property Developments has submitted the first planning application to kick-start its £1bn cluster of skyscrapers close to Liverpool waterfront.
Backed by Home Bargains billionaire Tom Morris, Davos has submitted an application for a 28-storey residential tower on the first plot of its King Edward development, adjacent to Peel’s Liverpool Waters site.
In February LBN exclusively revealed the plans to build a cluster of 10 residential skyscrapers on the site, comprising 1,200 apartments, with the tallest tower exceeding 60 storeys – at least 20 storeys higher than the city has ever seen. There will also be a five-star hotel.
This first tower, designed by scheme master planners Brock Carmichael, comprises 255 one and two-bedroom apartments and is described as a ‘pathfinder’ that will set the tone for the scheme’s wider ambitions.
It focuses on the plot which includes the former Bacchus Taverna at the junction of Waterloo Road and the now stopped-up Galton Street, at the north west boundary of the seven-acre development site.
“This is a bold expression that sets the design tone for the development going forward,” said Chris Bolland, managing partner of Brock Carmichael.
“We’ll animate the ground floor on two frontages with leisure occupiers for the public to enjoy, and our entrance canopy offers a confident statement that will make the building a key marker on the route to Everton’s new stadium.”
He adds the developer has Liverpool council’s blessing to exceed the 20-storey limit set for that location set by the local authority’s tall buildings guidance.
“The council has been very pragmatic and recognises the wider impact of a genuine cluster of high-quality tall buildings, rising to as many as 60 storeys,” explained Chris.
“The ambition was welcomed by the council’s leader at MIPIM and this is the first step in showing him that we will deliver on the site’s promise.”
This building will “far exceed anything in the city” with regards to amenity space, claims Darren Muir of Pegasus Group, planning consultant for the development.
“The client’s aim is to set the benchmark for residents’ amenity, with almost 50 sq ft of shared space per apartment. That’s almost double the current top figure in the city,” he said.
A residents’ lounge, gym and workspace will be provided on the first floor, with the top floor offering two indoor lounges and a large outdoor space for barbecues and social gatherings. The outdoor space will enjoy 360-degree views.
Darren added the proposals have been backed by the council’s inclusive design officer, who hailed the efforts taken to optimise the scheme’s accessibility.
““The council’s inclusive design officer highlighted the fact that the proposal would ‘significantly exceed’ policy requirements regarding levels of accessibility. I’ve not seen that level of endorsement before,” he said.
The proposals offer a 51% to 49% split between two-bed and one-bed units, with 15% parking provision.
Pegasus Group is providing planning, economics, heritage and EIA Services to the client team behind the King Edward scheme.