LIVERPOOL'S £160m Central Village scheme now looks almost certain to go ahead after the developer agreed to lower the height of the 38-storey tower.
In a compromise deal, developer Central Regeneration has now proposed to build two smaller towers to replace the original 38-storey structure.
Two 25-storey and 20-storey towers will now be built. It is hoped this will satisfy the main objector, English Heritage, which was concerned about the impact the original design would have on the city's skyline.
The new design, unveiled yesterday, was put together following consultation with Liverpool City Council, Liverpool Vision, English Heritage and the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE).
The rest of the 600,000 sq ft scheme will remain unchanged including the large areas of public realm and retail space. A planning application will now be submitted to the city council.
Central Regeneration - a collaboration between established developers Merepark and Ballymore - aims to create a mixed-use scheme that will include residential, retail and leisure space and a hotel.
Merepark director Richard Peel said: "Over the last few months we have had a very meaningful and productive dialogue with Liverpool City Council, English Heritage, CABE and Liverpool Vision to find a way forward which would be acceptable to all parties, while maintaining the commercial viability of the scheme and the positive effect it will have on the area.
"We have been very impressed with the professional approach and commitment from all interested parties including English Heritage, the city council and Liverpool Vision in working towards an improved solution.
"The revised plans are undoubtedly an improvement to the application and continue to mark a £160m investment in Liver pool."
When construction does finally get under way it will bring an end to a saga that has dragged on for nearly two years.
Ballymore acquired the site from Network Rail in 2002 and later put forward proposals for a £100m, 200,000 sq ft scheme,
featuring a 30-storey tower. However, English Heritage and Liverpool Vision were unhappy with the proposals and told the developer to revise its plan.
A further complication arose in 2004 when a legal dispute with Network Rail over "air rights" threatened to derail the project.
This was eventually settled and late last year Central Regeneration came up with a plan it believed would please all parties. However, English Heritage then lodged its objection leading the city council to indicate it would not pass the plan.
Yesterday Liverpool Vision welcomed the revised plans. Chief executive Jim Gill said: "The Central Village scheme will make a huge, positive difference to a part of the city centre which has seen too little investment for too long. It is another example of renewed developer and investor confidence in the city. The scheme has our full support and, subject to planning permission, we look forward to a start later this year."
tonymcdonough@dailypost.co.uk
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