Member Article

Plans for refurbishment of Liverpool’s Heaps Mill complex revealed

Plans for a £130m residential-led scheme on one of the last prime waterfront sites in Liverpool city centre have been submitted by developer One Park Lane.

The scheme, which incorporates the refurbishment of the listed Heap’s Mill complex, will see the development of 800 new homes and 12,000 sq ft of leisure and retail units, ranged around a new public space provisionally called Baltic Square.

Architect Adam Hall of Liverpool-based Falconer Chester Hall, said: “Since Heap’s Mill was spot-listed we have been working with English Heritage and Liverpool City Council to find a solution for designing the high quality new development which will complement and help secure the restoration of the mill.

“We believe the submitted application achieves this. We have been in a productive dialogue with all parties for a number of months now and are delighted with the outcome. The scheme will open up the space in front of the mills, allowing the buildings to breathe.

“We’ve opted for a tree-lined avenue from the site’s Park Lane frontage to maximise the development’s permeability, and I think the public will love Baltic Square. There are some really nice touches, such as the tree planters designed to resemble the rice sacks that used to be lugged around the site on men’s shoulders.”

There will be four new-build blocks comprising a mid-rise 14 storey building on the corner of Park Lane and Liver Street and three 10 storey units, together with the mill buildings themselves.

The homes will be for private rental and market rent through a social landlord, with the remaining block housing serviced apartments. In the mill there may be opportunities to develop larger apartments for sale.

Elliott Lawless, for One Park Lane, said: “We’re close to concluding negotiations that mean we will have a pre-let of the entire scheme and, subject to planning, anticipate getting cracking on site in the new year.

“The funding issue was complicated by the challenges posed by the mill buildings’ condition but the very constructive discussions we’ve enjoyed with the council and English Heritage over the last three months has given us confidence we can bring the scheme forward.

“We have a number of other opportunities in Liverpool and I’m sure this project will stand us all in good stead.”

A previous application for the site, which anticipation the mill buildings’ demolition, has since been withdrawn and the revised scheme has been resubmitted. It is anticipated the Liverpool City Council planning committee could be in a position to consider the application by October 28th.

“Now the building is listed we are examining how we can ensure it is watertight and fit for the winter months and the tough weather ahead,” added Elliot Lawless.

Joseph Heap founded his milling business on the site, next door to the famous Baltic Fleet pub, in 1778, though the present structures dates from the mid-Victorian era.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Simon Malia .