59-apartment mixed-use building at Land Bound By Blundell Street, Liverpool

What was proposed

The application proposed a part eight-storey, part six-storey building linked to a retained warehouse, with commercial units and 59 apartments.

“The application seeks full planning permission to erect part eight/part six storey building with a two storey bridge link at 1 st and 2 nd floor levels between the new block and a retained three storey warehouse. It would provide 3 no. commercial units on the ground floor and no. 59 apartments on the upper floors.”

“It proposes a perimeter block with active frontages, including 2 no. commercial units fronting onto all three elevations. An internal “street” is proposed between the retained and new block, situated below the proposed new link. There is a further internal commercial unit accessed from within the internal area. There is a first floor amenity space and a communal landscaped roof for residents.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site covered about 0.35 hectares and included a 1916 three-storey warehouse, a surface car park and surrounding warehouse, leisure and commercial uses.

“The site, measuring approximately 0.35 hectares, lies towards the western edge of the Baltic Triangle with boundaries to Blundell/Kitchen and Simpson Streets. It comprises a 1916 three storey traditional brick built warehouse with primary elevations to Blundell Street and Kitchen Street. The remainder of the site, predominately enclosed by a brick wall, is an associated surface car park with access from Blundell Street.”

“The immediate area is characterised by red brick warehouse structures, accommodating a mix of leisure and commercial uses and a number of surface parks. Adjacent to the site on Blundell Street, also a 1916 brick warehouse, is a furniture making business. To the south west of the site there are a number of food and drink premises, including the restaurant/bar at 63 Blundell Street and the KFC and McDonald’s premises with frontages to Chaloner Street.”

Officer report

Earlier planning history

Earlier schemes included permissions or resolutions for residential and mixed-use development, but one 2020 legal agreement was not completed.

“Resolution to approve the application, subject to a Legal Agreement 11/8/2020 but the agreement was not completed and the application has been disposed of under Article 40.”

“Land bounded by Blundell Street, Kitchen Street and Simpson Street 16F/1889 Planning permission to erect 2 blocks of 7-9 storeys creating 200 apartments (79x1 bed, 109x2 bed, 12x3 bed), (Class C3 Residential), with 397 sqm. of flexible commercial space (Class A1/A3/B1/D1); 160 sqm of Class B1- Office/Workspace with 100 car parking spaces, 164 cycle space and landscaped internal courtyard Approved subject to a Legal Agreement 16/02/17”

Officer report

Comments from nearby business

A neighbouring business did not object but raised concerns about noise, pavements, traffic, public realm and construction impacts.

“Travel/traffic impact and public realm: - There are insufficient pavements along Blundell Street with more pedestrians using this route than one might assume. - There are no drop curbs on the throughfare between 59 and 57 Blundell Street, making it less inclusive and hard for pushchairs or mobility scooters to use.”

“Traffic management during construction phase: The Baltic area endures construction, with whole roads blocked off for years, the public realm is left in a mess where heavy vehicles have crushed pavements. Sometimes stalled construction sites leave car parking spaces, pavements and roads locked behind hoardings for years. It would not be appropriate to close the whole of Blundell Street off. Councillor Comments No comments received.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The applicant’s agent spoke in support, and the planning case officer summarised the application and recommended approval.

The decision

The application was granted subject to conditions, a legal agreement and a viability reassessment before completion.

“(d) In the event that the Legal Agreement required under (b) is not signed by 21 st October 2026 then the Director of Planning and Building Control be given additional delegated authority for the discretion to refuse the application for the reason that: ‘The applicant has not entered into a legal agreement to pay a commuted sum in lieu of the provision/enhancement of street…”

“Viability Review Mechanism Clawback clause to be included in legal agreement making any approval subject to the re-assessment of the financial viability of the development prior to its completion N/A N/A Prior to completion of development…”

Minutes