Defence Online

Proposals to build a £70m student accommodation scheme rising up to 22 storeys high next to Liverpool Lime Street station look set to be given the green light.Unite Students’ full planning application to create a new development on a brownfield site bordered by Skelhorne Street to the north, Hilbre Street to the east, New Hilbre Walk to the south and Bolton Street to the west is due to be considered by Liverpool City Council’s planning committee on Tuesday (11 October 2016). The land earmarked for regeneration, which was formerly home to a coach station and is currently used as a car park, is next to Unite’s existing 1,236-student Grand Central scheme.It is proposed to create two ground-floor retail units open to the public, 1,085 student rooms, and a rooftop terrace with views over landmarks such as Liverpool Lime Street station, St George’s Hall, Radio City Tower and the Royal Liver Building. The building would be 19 to 22 storeys high.Ahead of the meeting, a report prepared by planning officers has recommended that the scheme should be approved.Unite announced the acquisition of the Lime Street site in April 2016. The land already has consent for a similar scheme (pictured) with 713 student bedrooms, although the developer said at the time that it intended to bring forward new plans with capacity for more than 1,000 students ready in time for the 2019/20 academic year.It added that the total development cost of the project, including the cost of the land, was expected to be approximately £70m.