Liverpool city region property firm Ascot Group secures planning consent for a £33m plan to build 23 new homes on the site of a former nightclub. Andrew Brown reports
Proposals for the £33m transformation of the former Shorrocks Hill nightclub site in Formby have been approved.
Ascot Group has been given the green light by Sefton Council’s Planning Committee to create 23 custom-built homes on the site, on Lifeboat Road in Formby, plus a 100-space public car park and toilet block.
A spokesperson said: “Liverpool based Ascot Group are very happy to confirm we have secured planning permission for a £33m luxury residential development at our 40 acre Shorrocks Hill estate very close to Formby beach.
“We would like to thank our internal team, Sefton council planning officers, our planning advisors and all our consultants who advised us throughout this planning process.”
Ascot Property has submitted plans for a hybrid planning application which seeks outline consent for up to 23 new homes with access to be determined and all other matters reserved.
Full planning permission is sought for the sitewide layout (all areas excluding housing plots) and the construction of a 100-space public car park with WC block.
The site was famous for the former Shorrocks Hill nightclub, but the site has become vacant in recent years. The decision was made at the Sefton Council Planning Committee meeting at Bootle Town Hall.
Planning officers recommended councillors to approve the scheme, saying in their report “The benefits arising from the development outweigh the harm arising from the loss of existing trees and the absence of a housing mix. The proposal is therefore considered to be acceptable.
“The site comprises land and buildings accessed off St Luke’s Church Road. The buildings within the site have, over the years, been used as a nightclub and leisure facilities with stables to the south being used for equestrian purposes.
“The principal building as seen from the existing entrance is in a poor state of repair. The majority of the application site falls within land allocated for housing (indicative capacity of 34 dwellings) and the provision of a 100 space car park in the 2017 Sefton Local Plan.”
The plans were drawn up for Ascot Property by Baldwin Design Consultancy. In their submission, they said: “The site has been designed to complement and respond to the surrounding area, create local identity and a cohesive sense of place.
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“Well-informed design and material choice will give the development longevity, contribute to the townscape and raise the aspirations of the area.
“The scheme would comprise 100% open market properties, providing an essential contribution to the housing stock in the Sefton area as well as enhancing the local settlement.”
In early July Ascot secured planning consent at the second time of asking for a £50m residential development in Liverpool’s Baltic district.