Storage and distribution unit at 4 Dakota Drive, Liverpool

What was proposed

The application proposed a storage and distribution development with a warehouse, offices, service yards, parking, access changes and landscaping.

“24F/2752 for a storage and distribution development (Use Class B8) at 4 Dakota Drive, Liverpool 24, comprising a warehouse building, ancillary (integral) offices, gatehouse, service yards and parking areas for HGVs, car parking, associated access and servicing including…”

Minutes

The site and surroundings

The site covers about 20 hectares on the western edge of an industrial estate, beside residential areas and other large industrial sites.

“Site and Context 3.2 The application site covers approximately 20 hectares of land along the western margins of Speke’s industrial estate in the southern outskirts of Liverpool. To the south, along the east bank of the Mersey River, lies the Speke and Garston Coastal Reserve, to the west a low-rise residential area of suburban character, to the north and also to the east, on the opposite side of Dakota Drive, other large- scale industrial sites.”

“Scale and Height 3.4 Tall Building SPD (2023), Appendix B, identifies the area including the site as Area E with a Local Context Height (LCH) of 6 storeys, which is equivalent to 18m building height. Area E of 6 storeys/18m LCH covers the immediate context to the north of and east of the site, which is the wider Liverpool International Business Park consisting of large-scale industrial buildings.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The applicant’s agent supported the application, and Councillor Lucy Williams spoke against it and raised concerns about its effects and benefits.

Committee discussion

The committee questioned the case officer about resident consultation, noise, lighting, trees and jobs, and heard about additional biodiversity conditions.

“An updated biodiversity metric tool with post-development value and any off-site details completed. The baseline biodiversity value must not change from the value at planning approval. The standard Biodiversity Gain Plan- a template is available to download from www.gov.uk/government/publications/biodiversity-gain- plan.”

“The Planning Case Officer summarised the application and answered questions relating to the consultation process with residents, noise, lighting, trees and jobs.”

Minutes

The decision

The application was approved subject to a legal agreement and the proposed conditions, including two additional biodiversity conditions.

“The information to be submitted as required under the deemed pre- commencement biodiversity gain condition shall: Be prepared in accordance with following approved documents: • Statutory Biodiversity Metric Appendix B (October 2025) • Biodiversity Impact Assessment Rev B (October 2025) (includes the baseline habitat plan and the post-development habitat plan) • 5634-CA-00-00-DR-A-00057, Rev PL27 (Proposed Masterplan Option A)”

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

Minutes