Campaigners in Liverpool have succeeded in having the historic Heap’s Rice Mill spot-listed, creating another roadblock to the city’s biggest residential scheme since 2008.
Estates Gazette revealed last month that more than 700 local residents rallying against the plan had forced the developers to rethink the £130m, 800-flat scheme.
The spot-listing means that the Victorian mill cannot be demolished. The original plan for the site would have seen Elliot Lawless’ One Park Lane demolish the block to build a 25-storey residential tower.
Spot-listing the site means the developer will either have to delay the scheme until market movements make it viable to retain the mill, or seek a grant to cover the funding gap. The structure cannot not be demolished without special permission.
Values are currently not considered high enough to justify retaining the historic building and maintain a viable scheme.
Lawless said: “We have been enjoying some productive discussions with the council about how to incorporate the mill into our wider ambitions for the site and we are aiming to submit plans for a revised scheme by the end of August. The listing doesn’t alter this.
“The figures [to leave the mill intact] didn’t stack up at the height of the last boom, so I am sceptical that they might this time around, if I’m honest.
“There is a further risk that our funding partners will switch their focus to schemes that can offer a more immediate return, so I’ve got some work to do my end in that regard. They want to invest in Liverpool and like where the city is headed, so I’m hopeful we can keep them on board.”
chris.berkin@estatesgazette.com
