158 apartments and commercial unit at Land At Vauxhall Road, Liverpool

What was proposed

The application proposed a part nine-, part ten-storey building with 158 apartments, a commercial unit, communal space, parking and cycle storage.

“The application seeks full planning permission for the erection of a part 9/part 10-storeys residential development comprising 158 dwellings (Use Class C3) and a 63sqm ground floor commercial unit.”

“Also at ground floor, internal residential and commercial waste storage and secure cycle storage are proposed with access from Oriel Street and Paul Street through a gated, enclosed courtyard. Within said courtyard, a 5-space car park is proposed which includes one accessible parking bay with EV charging as well as two other EV charging bays.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The vacant brownfield site lies within the Pumpfields Area and is surrounded by mixed-use, residential, industrial and hotel buildings.

“The application site is a vacant brownfield site measuring approximately 1,820sqm in area. It is bounded by the main thoroughfare Vauxhall Road to the west, Oriel Street to the south and Paul Street to the north with a backland property boundary to the east, and is located within the Pumpfields Area on the northern edge of Liverpool City Centre.”

“Across Paul Street to the north is a part 3/part 4-storey mixed-use building comprising student accommodation, dwellings and a ground floor commercial unit, as well as single- storey industrial units. Across Oriel Street to the south is a 3-storey residential building with a ground floor commercial unit as well as two vacant 2-storey business/industrial buildings which have been approved to be converted into a hotel under planning application ref.: 23F/0037.”

Officer report

Earlier planning history

Earlier applications nearby included an unresolved redevelopment proposal for this site and an approved hotel conversion at 8 Oriel Street.

“Relevant Site History This site 18F/0585 Redevelopment of site comprising part 9 storey, part 10 storey building with 2 no. ground floor commercial units (Use Class E) and 160 no. apartments (Use Class C3), together with external works Under consideration.”

“Oriel Street 23F/0037 To erect a second floor, install roof lights and create a courtyard to side in connection with use of premises as 17-bed hotel Approved subject to a Legal Agreement 06/07/2023”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because regeneration, housing, street-frontage and sustainable-travel benefits outweighed policy shortfalls, subject to conditions and a legal agreement.

“Weighing these matters in the overall planning balance, the scheme presents notable regeneration benefits. The site occupies a prominent gateway location and has remained unused for a substantial period. Its redevelopment is expected to act as a catalyst for wider investment envisaged by the emerging Pumpfields SPD.”

“While areas of policy non-compliance are recognised, particularly in relation to housing mix, trees, open space, affordable housing and daylight/sunlight, these are considered outweighed by the significant social, environmental and economic benefits of regenerating a long-vacant site within a designated growth area. On balance, the proposal is considered acceptable subject to conditions and completion of the required legal agreement.”

Officer report

Concerns about the proposal

Residents raised concerns about the building’s height, insufficient parking and affordable housing.

“Local residents objecting to the application addressed the meeting and highlighted their concerns relating to the height of the building, insufficient parking and affordable housing. _____”

Minutes

Who spoke at the meeting

The applicant’s agent supported the application, while local residents addressed the committee against it.

The final decision

The application was approved subject to a legal agreement and conditions proposed by the Director of Planning and Building Control.

“A vote was taken on the original Motion by the Chair -”

“That the Application be approved, subject to a Legal Agreement and Conditions as proposed by the Director of Planning and Building Control.”

Minutes