Sefton to discuss job-creating regeneration scheme

A scheme to redevelop a gateway site to provide a mixed-use regeneration project in Crosby town centre is set to be discussed at a meeting today, potentially paving the way for more than 100 jobs.Virtue Developments Crosby is seeking permission from Sefton Council for the development containing commercial and community floorspace at a vacant site known as Telegraph House, Moor Lane.The commercial and community floorspace would be at ground floor level and 72 residential apartments built on upper floors. The existing building, which was in a mix of commercial uses and is now unoccupied, will be demolished.Under the plans, a new part four, part five-storey building, which includes approximately 10,000 sq ft of floorspace for commercial units on the ground floor, would be built.Car parking would be provided to the rear and the residential development would be in the storeys above. A total of 72 residential units would be provided on the upper floors, with 47 of the flats having one bedroom and 25 consisting of two bedrooms.According to a report set to be considered by Sefton Council’s planning committee, a similar scheme to this proposal was put forward on two separate occasions during 2021. The document said the refusals are subject to a joint appeal and a hearing is scheduled to take place in September this year.Both schemes included 74 units and commercial units on the ground floor. Reasons for refusal included the proposed developments failing to provide acceptable levels of affordable housing on-site, as well as an adequate level of private outdoor amenity space for future occupiers and of vehicular parking for residents.The new application has sought to address the reasons for refusal.The report said the proposal is considered to give rise to urban regeneration benefits and represents investment that will “support the vitality and viability of Crosby centre”.It said employment opportunities will be generated, and residential properties in the area will also boost spend locally, contributing to supporting new and existing businesses.It is anticipated that the equivalent of 57 full-time jobs will be created during the construction phase and the commercial development could support 39 to to 52 jobs with annual earnings of £690,000 to £910,000.”As such the scheme offers a range of regeneration benefits – physical, economic and social – and would be a stimulus for further redevelopment in Crosby,” the report added.”These are given significant weight in the planning balance and it is considered that these outweigh any harm or disadvantages of the scheme. In all other respects the proposal accords with national and local planning policy and is recommended for approval subject to the completion of a legal agreement and conditions as set out below.”