Apartment block amendments at Land Adjacent 1 Stonedale Crescent, Liverpool

What was proposed

The application sought changes to an approved apartment block, including a repositioned staircase, fire-rated curtain walling and alterations to four adjoining flats.

“The proposed relatively minor amendments are to the staircase and to install fire rated curtain walling to the front/rear of the stairwell and associated amendment to the four adjoining one bedroom/two person M4(2) units to the west of the stairs. Two objections have been received to the application, such that it is necessary for the application to be considered by Planning Committee.”

“This application is submitted under Section 73 of the Town and Country Planning Act and is to vary condition 2 attached to planning ref 23F/3271: To redevelop site, including demolition, erect 4 storey block comprising 30 no. 1 and 2 bed apartments; 3 no. x 2 bed bungalows, 10 no. x 2 bed 'cottage' flats and 5 no.”

Officer report

The site

The site is on the corner of Stonedale Crescent and Stonedale Lane, with terraced houses, hardstanding, grass and car parking.

“The site comprises an area of land on the corner of Stonedale Crescent and Stonedale Lane, Croxteth. The site currently comprises a row of terraced houses 21-28 Stonedale Crescent on the western side; to the north and south are areas of hardstanding and grass which was previously developed land and in the centre of the site is an area of hardstanding which is marked out as car parking.”

Officer report

Earlier permissions

Earlier applications covered residential redevelopment, environmental improvements, housing, demolition and the approved development being amended.

“05F/1330 To carry out environmental improvements to 4 separate areas within the existing estate, so as to create Home Zones for pedestrian and vehicular use Approved with Conditions…”

“23F/3271 To redevelop site, including demolition, erect 4 storey block comprising 30 no. 1 and 2 bed apartments; 3 no. x 2 bed bungalows, 10 no. x 2 bed 'cottage' flats and 5 no. 3 and 4 bed houses with associated car parking and landscaping *amended description and plans*. Approved with Conditions. 14-02-2025.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

No ward councillor comments were received, while the application attracted two objections from neighbouring businesses and residents.

“Councillor Comments No comments received.”

“Neighbour Comments 2 objections have been received from the neighbouring businesses and residents which are summarised below:”

Officer report

Residents’ concerns

Objectors raised concerns about infrastructure, play and youth facilities, noise, anti-social behaviour, density, building scale, privacy, open space and overdevelopment.

“Accepts the need for more housing but argues that the proposal fails to address existing pressures on local infrastructure, residential amenity, and community wellbeing. Their primary concern is the complete lack of designated play and youth facilities in the area. As a result, the only small green space within their close has become the main gathering point for children and teenagers following recent nearby council developments.”

“The current proposal provides no evidence of adequate play areas, youth facilities, or mitigation measures for noise and anti-social behaviour. The objector argues that this conflicts with key planning expectations, including protection of residential amenity, provision of community infrastructure, and design measures to prevent anti-social behaviour. Page 30”

Officer report

Who spoke

The applicant’s agent spoke in support, and the planning case officer summarised the application and answered questions about the internal staircase.

Committee discussion

The committee was told that planning obligations had been amended with further details and more accurate triggers for contributions and the legal agreement.

“The Committee were informed that Section 6 - Planning Obligations have been amended to add further details on Open Space, Trees, Recreational Pressure, Affordable Housing, Local Employment and Skills, Monitoring and Legal Fees. The table was amended to include more accurate triggers to specifically mention which contributions would require completion on close of the Deed of Variation. The Recommendation section was updated to reflect the amendments in Section 6 and the table.”

Minutes

The vote

The committee voted 10 in favour, with none against and no abstentions, and the motion was carried.

“The Motion was carried and it was resolved accordingly.”

Minutes

The decision

The application was approved subject to the stated conditions, a deed of variation and delegated refusal powers if the agreement was not signed by 30 November 2026.

“(a) the stated Conditions outlined in the report; (b) the applicant entering into a deed of variation to a legal agreement for: (i) The payment of a commuted sum of £22,500 for Open Space prior to first occupation (ii) the payment of a contribution to mitigate against Recreational Pressure of £3,130.20 prior to first occupation (iii) the payment of £300 for tree planting, prior to first occupation (iv) the payment of Monitoring Fees of £300, on completion of the deed of…”

“(c) in the event that the Section 106 Agreement required under (b) is not signed by 30/11/2026 then the Director of Planning and Building Control be granted discretion to exercise delegated authority to refuse the application for the reason that: ‘The applicant has not entered into a Section 106 Agreement to pay a commuted sum in lieu of the provision/enhancement of open space, trees and biodiversity net gain contrary to Policies STP2, STP5, GI10 and GI8 of the adopted…”

Minutes