Liverpool FC’s Melwood plans set for green light

Liverpool FC are on the verge of securing the green light to build 160 houses on their first-team training ground at Melwood, which has been the club’s training base since the 1950s.The club’s outline planning application to demolish the existing buildings at Melwood in West Derby and construct a major residential scheme is due to be considered by Liverpool City Council’s planning committee on Tuesday, 5 December 2017. Illustrative plans submitted alongside the application indicates that there would be a maximum of 160 homes including a mix of detached and semi-detached properties, each with individual rear private amenity space and off-street parking.It is envisaged that the development will predominantly comprise three- and four-bedroom family homes, according to an accompanying design and access statement by Turley.The proposed scheme has attracted objections from Stephen Twigg MP and six councillors who have raised concerns about issues such as its impact on highways, traffic and parking, its negative effect on the availability of school places, and its contribution to excessive demand on local GPs. A 450-signature petition opposing the project and 104 individual letters of objection have also been received.Ahead of the meeting, a report prepared by planning officers has recommended that the scheme should be approved.