UK: Two aparthotel projects in Liverpool have been recommended for planning approval by the city council ahead of its January 14 meeting.
The first application concerns a building comprising a basement, four upper floors and two retail units, situated in the Castle Street Conservation Area and Liverpool World Heritage Site.
The applicant is proposing to redevelop the property in to a boutique aparthotel with 33 self-contained serviced apartments and associated ancillary facilities. The ground floor would feature a residents lounge, reception space and back of house areas.
A report to Liverpool City Council’s planning committee – which will meet on 14 January – said: “It is considered that the proposed conversion of the building to serviced apartments is appropriate in this location. The use will bring the vacant and underutilised floors of this prominent and important building back into beneficial use without any adverse impact on the overall character of the area. It will contribute towards a sustainable mix of uses in an accessible location, benefiting the local economy and will assist in increasing activity in the area.” Approval has been recommended.
The second application is at 6 Watkinson Street and concerns a six-storey late 19th century former mill. The applicant is seeking to transform the site into a 42-key aparthotel, with a three-storey roof extension.
A report to the council noted that while the site is designated for industrial uses, strict adherence to policy has “so far failed to attract any new interest in industrial investment”. It added that allowing alternative forms of appropriate development onto selective sites within the Baltic Triangle would “provide an attractive mixed use area to the benefit of the wider area”. Approval has been recommended.
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