Liverpool Planning Committee Virtual Meeting – 31st March 2020

This is me taking part in today’s planning committee for Liverpool Council from my own home using Skype. A surrealistic experience but probably the best that e can do during the lock down.

For the first time ever Liverpool’s Planning Committee met today in a virtual format using Skype. Despite some IT teething difficulties, we managed quite well to hear each other and contribute. For legal reasons we could not make decisions today but only recommendations to the Chief Executive who will use his delegated powers for these applications. We are hoping that in the very near future the Government will move regulations to make virtual meetings decision making for the period of the Coronavirus problem time.

Of course, it was not as good as a proper committee. We could not hear from objectors and although we saw presentations, we could not hear from the developers either. It has however enabled our business to go on and for councillors to be involved in the process.

The ‘decisions’ of the committee will be put on the Council’s website in due course. In the short term these are the substantive items and how I voted on them as the sole opposition member present.

The items in normal type are the description of the application. The bold italic after the item indicated my inputs.

4. Former Liverpool Festival Gardens Site, Riverside Drive, Liverpool L17 7HW (St Michaels Ward) 

To consider a recommendation that Application No. 19F/3136 in respect of Former Liverpool Festival Gardens Site, Riverside Drive, Liverpool L17 7HW (St Michaels Ward), to carry out operational works to land within Liverpool Festival Gardens to include ground remediation, service and drainage removal / diversion, removal of unsuitable and surplus materials, installation of gas venting infrastructure, construction of a temporary internal haul road and re-landscaping of Southern Grasslands, be approved subject to the conditions proposed by the Head of Planning. 

I supported this but only after asking a series of questions relating to what was in the material that would be moved, how much would leave the site and the safety issues relating to the air quality whilst the work is being undertaken over an 18-month period. The officers agreed that it would be important to keep nearby residents informed bother before and during work on site.  

5. The Royal Daffodil Boat, Canning Dock, Adjacent to Strand Street, Liverpool 3 (Central Ward) 

To consider a recommendation that Application No. 19F/1917 in respect of The Royal Daffodil Boat, Canning Dock, Adjacent to Strand Street, Liverpool 3 (Central Ward), to carry out refurbishment works to the boat formerly known as “The Royal Daffodil” and sited in Canning Dock to create a mixed-use restaurant, bar and event space to the promenade deck and main deck (Use Classes A3 /A4, Sui Generis); the provision of a mixed-use restaurant, bar and event space (Use Classes A3 /A4, Sui Generis) or 13 no. guest accommodation rooms (Use Class C1) to the lower deck; and the provision of a mixed-use restaurant, bar and event  space (Use Classes A3 /A4, Sui Generis) to part of  the  bridge deck with the provision of a heritage museum space (Use Class Sui Generis) to the wheelhouse area of the bridge deck, be approved subject to the conditions proposed by the Head of Planning. 

I supported this after asking a series of questions about noise and traffic matters. It was made clear that the applicant has many questions to answer about these and other issues before permission was finally agreed by planning staff.

6. Land bounded by Laurel Road and Laburnum Road, Liverpool (Kensington & Fairfield Ward)   

To consider a recommendation that Application No. 19F/3225 in respect of Land bounded by Laurel Road and Laburnum Road, Liverpool (Kensington & Fairfield Ward), to erect 48 no. dwellings with associated works, be approved subject to a Legal agreement and the conditions proposed by the Head of Planning.  (Pages 75 – 101)

I supported this.

7. Land at Blackstock Street & Paul Street, (Opposite Nos 25-31 Blackstock St), Liverpool 3 (Kirkdale Ward) 

To consider a recommendation that Application No. 19F/2446 in respect of Land at Blackstock Street & Paul Street, (Opposite Nos 25-31 Blackstock St), Liverpool 3 (Kirkdale Ward), to erect 11-storey residential block containing 560 units consisting of 224 studios, 264 1 bed units and 72no 2 bed units, with associated access, servicing, parking and landscaping, be approved subject to a Legal Agreement and the conditions proposed by the Head of Planning.  

I voted against this. The application was for a large number of apartments which are between 10 and 20% smaller than the national space guidelines from the Government which I consider are already to small. I said that we should use the breathing space which is being afforded by the coronavirus outbreak and its aftermath to raise standards so we build the right stuff to the right standard.

 I consider it unlikely that there will be much building going on anywhere in the next few years and times will be especially hard in Liverpool where we have an overhang of far too many empty apartments. Let’s use that time to drive up standards for when building work will start again.

8. Royal Liver Building, Georges Pier Head, Liverpool L3 1HU  (Central Ward) 

To consider a recommendation that Application No. 20F/0083 in respect of Royal Liver Building, Georges Pier Head, Liverpool L3 1HU (Central Ward), to carry out internal alterations on ground and lower ground floors to facilitate a gym (Use Class D2) alongside a barber shop and hair salon (Use Class A1), be approved subject to a Legal Agreement and the conditions proposed by the Head of Planning. 

I supported this subject to details being given of the type of signage which would be used. It must be in keeping with the style of the building which is a listed building.

9. Land at Lineside Close, Liverpool L25 2UD (Belle Vale Ward)  To consider a recommendation that Application No. 19F/3009 in respect of Land at Lineside Close, Liverpool L25 2UD (Belle Vale Ward), to erect 20 no. dwellings with new access road and associated parking and landscaping, be approved subject to a Legal Agreement and the conditions proposed by the Head of Planning. 

I supported this application

10. 62-78 Lord Street, City Centre, Liverpool L2 1TD (Central Ward)  To consider a recommendation that Application No. 20F/0562 in respect of 6278 Lord Street, City Centre, Liverpool L2 1TD (Central Ward), to change of use of upper floors from vacant offices to 58-bedroom hostel (Use Class Sui Generis) and carry out associated alterations, be approved subject to a Legal Agreement and the conditions proposed by the Head of Planning.

I supported this application

11. Hesketh House Care Home, Old Mill Lane, Liverpool L15 8LN (Wavertree Ward) 

To consider a recommendation a recommendation that Application No. 19F/2821 in respect of Hesketh House Care Home, Old Mill Lane, Liverpool L15 8LN (Wavertree Ward), to erect 9no. dwelling houses with landscaping and carry out associated highway improvement works to access way including car parking, be approved subject to the conditions proposed by the Head of Planning. 

I supported this application

12. Fruit Exchange Building, Victoria Street, Liverpool L2 6RE  (Central Ward) 

To consider a recommendation that Application No. 19F/2260 in respect of Fruit Exchange Building, Victoria Street, Liverpool L2 6RE (Central Ward), to carry out internal and external alterations in connection with the conversion of the existing vacant building into an 85 bedroom hotel, with associated restaurant and bar, be approved subject to the conditions proposed by the Head of Planning.  (Pages 204 – 225)

I supported this application which will bring a listed building back into use after many years whilst preserving the fruit exchange itself.

13. Former Bridge Inn P.H., 162 Childwall Valley Road, Liverpool  L25 2PL (Belle Vale Ward) 

To consider a recommendation that Application No. 19F/1932 in respect of Former Bridge Inn P.H., 162 Childwall Valley Road, Liverpool L25 2PL (Belle Vale Ward), to demolish existing buildings and erect A1 retail unit along with access and servicing arrangements including new HGV egress onto Kings Drive, car parking and landscaping, new substation and associated works, be approved subject to a Legal Agreement and the conditions proposed by the Head of Planning.

This item was withdrawn by the applicants

14. The Plaza, 100 Old Hall Street, Liverpool L3 9QJ (Central Ward)  To consider a recommendation that Application No. 19F/2591 in respect of The Plaza, 100 Old Hall Street, Liverpool L3 9QJ (Central Ward), to change use of part of ground floor of building from offices (Use Class B1) to restaurant/bar (Use Class A3/A4), along with associated external seating area to Rigby Street frontage and external alterations to St Paul’s Square entrance including replacement of canopy, relocation forward of recessed curtain walling at third floor level (resulting in the creation of 258 sqm B1 office space), the removal / replacement of glazing and insertion of sliding doors, erection / replacement of parapet walls and railings to create roof terraces, along with installation of plant and other associated works, be approved subject to the conditions proposed by the Head of Planning.

I supported this application

15. 369 Smithdown Rd, Liverpool L15 3JJ (Greenbank Ward)  To consider a recommendation that Application No. 19F/2582 in respect of 369 Smithdown Rd, Liverpool L15 3JJ (Greenbank Ward), to use retail unit as hot food takeaway opening between 09:30 hours and 23:00 hours, erect 3 storey extension to rear in connection with reconfiguration of flats above and install extraction flue to rear, be approved subject to the conditions proposed by the Head of Planning.  (Pages 273 – 283) 16. 360 Smithdown Road, Wavertree, Liverpool L15 5AN  (Greenbank Ward) 

I supported this item

To consider a recommendation that Application No. 19F/2939 in respect of 360 Smithdown Road, Wavertree, Liverpool L15 5AN (Greenbank Ward), to use post office as a post office/cafe/restaurant (sui generis) opening between 09.00 and 1800 hours and erect extraction flue to rear, be approved subject to the conditions proposed by the Head of Planning. 

I supported this application which ensure that the Penny Lane Post Office stays open

17. Site on Network Rail land, north of Orrell Park Station and to the rear of properties 45-57 on Caldy Road, Liverpool 9 (Fazakerley Ward) 

To consider a recommendation that Application No. 20F/0035 in respect of Site on Network Rail land, north of Orrell Park Station and to the rear of properties 45-57 on Caldy Road, Liverpool 9 (Fazakerley Ward), to install a telecommunication mast, comprising 4 no. antenna, plus one electricity cabinet and associated equipment, to support and enhance internet connectivity for the future Merseyrail fleet, be approved subject to the conditions proposed by the Head of Planning. 

 I supported this application

18. Site on Network Rail land, north of the A5090 and to the rear of dwellings 21-31 Brewster Street, Bootle, Liverpool 20 (Kirkdale Ward) 

To consider a recommendation that Application No. 20F/0038 in respect of Site on Network Rail land, north of the A5090 and to the rear of dwellings 21-31 Brewster Street, Bootle, Liverpool 20 (Kirkdale Ward), to install a telecommunication mast, comprising 4 no. antenna, plus one electricity cabinet and associated equipment, to support and enhance internet connectivity for the future Merseyrail fleet, be approved subject to the conditions proposed by the Head of Planning.  (Pages 305 – 315)

19. Site on Network Rail land, north of Rice Lane Station and to the rear of U26 Clothing Wear (clothing Store), Rice Lane, Liverpool 9 (Warbreck Ward) 

To consider a recommendation that Application No. 20F/0042 in respect of Site on Network Rail land, north of Rice Lane Station and to the rear of U26 Clothing Wear (clothing Store), Rice Lane, Liverpool 9 (Warbreck Ward), to install a telecommunication mast, comprising 4 no. antenna, plus one electricity cabinet and associated equipment, to support and enhance internet connectivity for the future Merseyrail fleet, be approved subject to the conditions proposed by the Head of Planning. 

I supported this application

20. Site on Network Rail land, north of Long Lane (B5187) and to the rear of Archbishop Beck Catholic Sports College, Fazakerley, Liverpool 9 (Fazakerley Ward) 

To consider a recommendation that Application No. 20F/0046 in respect of Site on Network Rail land, north of Long Lane (B5187) and to the rear of Archbishop Beck Catholic Sports College, Fazakerley, Liverpool 9 (Fazakerley Ward), to install a telecommunication mast, comprising 4 no. antenna, plus one electricity cabinet and associated equipment, to support and enhance internet connectivity for the future Merseyrail fleet, be approved subject to the conditions proposed by the Head of Planning. 

I supported this application

21. Site on Network Rail land, north of Adlam Park and Garden, Sherwood’s Lane, Fazakerley, Liverpool 10 (Fazakerley Ward) 

To consider a recommendation that Application No. 20F/0050 in respect of Site on Network Rail land, north of Adlam Park and Garden, Sherwood’s Lane, Fazakerley, Liverpool 10 (Fazakerley Ward), to install a telecommunication mast, comprising 4 no. antenna, plus one electricity cabinet and associated equipment, to support and enhance internet connectivity for the future Merseyrail fleet, be approved subject to the conditions proposed by the Head of Planning. 

I supported this application

22. Vacant land at Lee Park Avenue, Ringway Road & Woodlee Road, Liverpool L25 3RS (Belle Vale Ward) 

To consider a recommendation that Application No. 19F/3203 in respect of Vacant land at Lee Park Avenue, Ringway Road & Woodlee Road, Liverpool L25 3RS (Belle Vale Ward), to erect 10no. dwellings and 4no. apartments with associated parking spaces and landscaping, be approved subject to a Legal Agreement and the conditions proposed by the Head of Planning.I supported this application