20 apartments at Units 1 & 2 St Anne Street, Liverpool

What was proposed

Outline permission was sought for a five-storey building containing up to 20 apartments, with parking and access after demolishing the existing buildings.

“Outline planning permission is sought to erect 5 storey building comprising of 20no. residential apartments with associated parking and access following demolition of existing buildings. As the application has been submitted in outline form for the consideration of principle, scale and access only, appearance, layout and landscaping are reserved for a future application. Indicative floorplans and elevations are included in the application.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site is a vacant former saw mill in an industrial area changing towards mixed use, near commercial units, listed buildings, a fire station and open space.

“The application site lies just outside of Liverpool’s City Centre, north of the Fabric District, at the north east corner of a street block bounded by St Anne Street to the west, Queen Anne Street to the north, Harker Street to the east, and Springfield to the south. It lies within an industrial area which is undergoing transition to a mixed use area with several large flatted scheme completed in recent years around Fox Street.”

“The site is 0.065 hectares and is currently occupied by a single storey industrial unit formerly used as a saw mill which is understood to have been vacant for over 20 years. To the north of the site on the opposite side of Queen Anne Street are commercial and industrial units. To the west of the site is a narrow vacant plot fronting St. Anne Street and the site also adjoins commercial units along the south side. Further to the south are nos. 34-36 St.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

The officer recommendation was approval subject to a legal agreement, and the indicative scheme was said to meet council standards for design, amenity, inclusive design and parking.

“23O/2022 Committee Date 27 th January 2026 D.C. Team: City North Recommendation: Approve subject to a legal agreement…”

Officer report

Who spoke

The planning case officer, highways officer and environmental health officer answered questions, while Councillor Jane Corbett spoke against the application.

The committee debate

Members discussed residents’ parking, affordable housing, parking, noise, business impacts, employment and whether the proposal could encourage further residential development.

“A plan showing the site of the application was displayed on screen and the Planning Case Officer outlined the application and answered questions relating to residents parking and affordable housing.”

“Councillor Jane Corbett, objecting to the application, addressed the meeting and highlighted her concerns regarding the adverse impact on existing businesses in the area, loss of potential employment, parking and this being a catalyst for further residential properties. _____”

Minutes

The committee vote

Members rejected a refusal amendment based on inadequate resident parking by six votes to three, then approved the original motion by six votes to three.

“That the application be refused on the grounds of inadequate parking on the site for residents.”

“Voting on the original Motion, that the application be approved –”

Minutes

The decision

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

“23O/2022 to erect a 5-storey building comprising up to 20 residential apartments (Class C3) with associated parking and access following demolition of existing buildings at St. Anne Street/Harker Street, Liverpool 3, be approved subject to a Legal Agreement and Conditions as proposed by the Director of Planning and Building Control. _____”

Minutes