Davos Property Developments Limited in conjunction with Beetham Davos Ltd have submitted a planning application for a 28-storey residential tower on the first plot of their £1bn King Edward development adjacent to Liverpool’s Pier Head.

The tower, designed by scheme master planners Brock Carmichael, comprises 255 one and two-bed apartments and is described as a ‘pathfinder’ that will set the tone for the scheme’s wider ambitions.

The submission focuses on the plot which includes the former Bacchus Taverna at the junction of Waterloo Road and the now stopped-up Galton Street, at the northwest boundary of the seven-acre development site.

Chris Bolland, managing partner of Brock Carmichael, says: “This is a bold expression that sets the design tone for the development going forward.

“We’ll animate the ground floor on two frontages with leisure occupiers for the public to enjoy, and our entrance canopy offers a confident statement that will make the building a key marker on the route to Everton’s new stadium.”

Bollard adds that the developer has Liverpool council’s blessing to exceed the 20-storey limit set for that location set by the local authority’s tall buildings guidance.

Darren Muir of Pegasus Group, planning consultant for the development, says the building will “far exceed anything in the city” with regards to amenity space.

“The client’s aim is to set the benchmark for residents’ amenity, with almost 50 sq ft of shared space per apartment. That’s almost double the current top figure in the city,” he adds.

A residents’ lounge, gym and workspace will be provided on the first floor, with the top floor boasting two indoor lounges and a large outdoor space for barbecues and social gatherings. The outdoor space will enjoy 360-degree views of the city skyline, River Mersey and the Welsh mountains beyond.

Muir adds that the proposals have been “enthusiastically backed2 by the council’s inclusive design officer, who hailed the efforts taken to optimise the scheme’s accessibility.

“The council’s inclusive design officer highlighted the fact that the proposal would ‘significantly exceed’ policy requirements regarding levels of accessibility. I’ve not seen that level of endorsement before,” he adds.

The proposals offer a 51% to 49% split between two-bed and one-bed units, with 15% parking provision.

Pegasus Group is providing planning, economics, heritage and EIA Services to the client team behind the King Edward scheme. Brock Carmichael is the masterplan architect.