Legacie Developments is ‘considering its options’ after a Liverpool residential scheme it was due to acquire was turned down by city councillors – despite planners recommending approval. Tony McDonough reports
A deal by Legacie Developments to acquire a Liverpool residential scheme is now in the balance after city councillors defied the recommendation from its own officer to approve the development.
Elliot Group had put forward plans to convert a former probation centre in Falkner Street into 180 student bedrooms and 105 residential apartments. In April the planning committee deferred its decision until this week.
On Tuesday morning councillors refused the application despite planning officers recommending approval. Liverpool City Council said in a Tweet: “Planning Committee has confirmed that they refuse the Falkner St developments application due to the lack of parking and the noise and disturbance to neighbouring properties and future occupiers.”
Elliot Group had already said it did not intend to continue with the development but had agreed to sell it to Legacie Developments, if the committee had given its approval. Legacie would then amend the scheme to comprise 105 apartments and 63 student units.
However, with the application now refused the Legacie deal is in the balance. LBN has learned that the developer, which has successfully delivered multiple residential projects in Liverpool, was now “considering its options”.
Elliot Group has said it will appeal the decision and the fact planning officers had recommended its approval would be in its favour. And if the council was to lose it would have to bear the full cost of the appeal.
Founder Elliot Lawless told LBN: “I am advised by my planning team that we have a very strong case and have instructed them to begin work immediately preparing our appeal.”
Tuesday’s decision was a victory for local campaigners, in particular the L8 Matters Community Land Trust. They had the support of local councillors and a number of local residents.
Legacie said the site has been a “magnet” for anti-social behaviour as well as instances of fly tipping. Speaking earlier this week Legacie managing director Gavin Currie had said: “Legacie Developments has a solid track record of working across the city and the wider North West to accomplish such schemes.