The developer behind a proposed £100 million apartment scheme at Liverpool Waters says it is “disturbed” and “incredibly disappointed” by a recommendation from the council’s planning committee to refuse the project.

Romal Capital wants to create 330 flats across two nine-storey blocks and one four-storey block as part of a development which would include the partial infilling of West Waterloo Dock.

The firm’s original plans for plot C02 of the Liverpool Waters masterplan, submitted in 2019, included 643 apartments but were scaled back following resistance from local residents and councillors.

A report which will go before Liverpool City Council’s planning committee next week (18 January), is now recommending Romal’s latest plans be refused permission for the following reasons:

• Development does not conform to the parameters of the Liverpool Waters outline planning permission and the Central Docks Neighbourhood Masterplan
• Development would have a number of adverse effects on the local environment
• Development will result in a high degree of harm to the setting of listed buildings including the Grade 2 Waterloo Warehouse, Stanley Dock Conservation Area and West Waterloo Dock which is valued as a non-designated heritage asset
• Proposal involves a high proportion of small unit sizes which conflicts with the requirements of Local Plan Policy CC24

In response, Greg Malouf, CEO, Romal Capital Limited, has issued this statement:

“We are obviously incredibly disappointed at the decision to recommend refusal on this application.

“We are particularly disturbed given the three years of intense engagement with Liverpool City Council regarding this development, the significant adjustments we have made to our proposals, and the subsequent assurances we have been given during this long and very costly process.

“We are proposing £100 million of private investment to transform a patch of barren brownfield land and derelict dock into a thriving new, diverse, and sustainable neighbourhood. We want to deliver new homes at a time of acute pressures in the housing sector.

“We must also not forget the communities that surround the site in question – some of the less well-off and most deprived wards in the United Kingdom. In the development phase this project would create over 200 jobs, and we always work with our contractors to maximise local employment.

“In the long term the amenities, retail, leisure, and other services that form part of our proposal, will provide long term sustainable employment for many local people.

“The regeneration of Liverpool’s waterfront is critical to the growth of this city. This proposal we feel is a critical component of that growth; active waterfront for many to enjoy, prime pedestrian connectivity between Docks that is yet to be sufficiently catered for, immense improvement of the waterway and much needed high-quality housing for families and young professionals.

“We believe Liverpool City Council should be supporting the regeneration of its northern waterfront, working with reputable developers like Romal to move projects forward and prioritise brownfield sites.

“When Everton’s new stadium opens to the public in three to four years’ time, what do we want visitors to see? A flourishing, mixed, sustainable world-class waterfront, with new homes, new parks, green spaces, and public realm for everyone to enjoy – or undeveloped barren brownfield land?

“In December 2021, we appealed based on grounds of non-determination due to Liverpool City Council Planning Officer’s inability reach a decision. The application will go to committee this month where a refusal there will mean the technical merits of the proposals will be decided by the Planning Inspectorate.

“We believe in this city, and despite this setback, will continue to invest and support Liverpool’s growth. We firmly believe Liverpool rightly deserves to sit alongside the UK’s other great cities, and that this is only possible with the right investment and belief in it.”

Related posts:

Time to ‘get on with remaking’ Lime Street, says developer Re-submitted apartment scheme recommended for approval Important to ensure Festival Gardens vision is ‘achievable’ New homes and retail space planned for Ropewalks Square New homes planned for former pub site in Kirkdale Towers approval brings Peel’s ‘waterfront for the world’ vision closer