Landmark Liverpool hotel plans set to be backed

Plans to convert a listed Liverpool landmark into a boutique hotel – which would lead to a host of regeneration benefits for the area – look set to be backed.The Waterhouse-designed St John’s House on Queen Street was the regional head office for Pearl Assurance, overlooking St John’s Gardens and St. George’s Hall. It also adjoins the city’s successful Marriot Hotel, which Promenade developed in the mid-nineties.Promenade Estates submitted an application earlier this year for the project, which would comprise 43 beds and be the fifth in the region brought forward by the team.The popular Dr Duncan’s pub on the ground floor would be unaffected by the project, which forms the northernmost part of the 660,000 sq ft jigsaw that was the redevelopment of Queen Square.However, it added that such support is “subject to the use also being capable of operating without increasing noise to a level which would be unduly detrimental to the amenities enjoyed by anyone living nearby, or causing detriment to highway safety”.This has been satisfied, with approval having been recommended.At the time the application as submitted, Promenade chairman Peter Hynd said it is “the perfect location for a high quality boutique offering”.The proposed redevelopment follows a spate of disposals by Promenade, including the fully-let Marine Point development in New Brighton to Aprirose, the Ramada Plaza leisure scheme in Southport to Bliss Estates and a major waterfront residential scheme overlooking Liverpool’s Albert Dock to Vista Fund.FCH is managing the design and application.