Time to have a say on Liverpool’s floating homes

Jan 10 2008 by Liza Williams, Liverpool Daily Post

LUXURY floating homes on Princes Dock are one step closer to fruition now a planning consultation period has begun.

If given the go-ahead, 12 flotilla detached homes will be “anchored” in the dock in the first marina-style development of its kind in the UK.

The houses are likely to attract prices of around £750,000 and the backdrop will be the Royal Liverpool Building and the World Heritage Site.

The original application, submitted in May, was for 26 homes but this has now been revised and resubmitted by Peel Holdings, who own the dock.

Wayne Colquhoun, chairman of Liverpool Preservation Trust, thinks the structures will be a welcome addition to the city.

He said: “This is a new slant on our maritime history, I think they will look great. It is such a rarity to have good modern design like this and I welcome it. It has a relevant reference to the city’s heritage and is pleasing to the eye.”

The homes, designed by Liverpool-based Architects KKA, have a nautical theme associated with the marina environment, and will give the appearance of a row of multi-million pound yachts.

They will sit on stilts, but are designed to float in response to tidal changes.

The price tag will buy a detached home arranged on three decks, providing a total internal living space of 1,850sq ft. The prestigious homes could also feature an outside deck area that sits above the water, and master bedrooms with an impressive external balcony.

The top deck will feat- ure a sundeck with a large area for enter- taining that will have excellent views of the Pier Head and the fast-developing Princes Dock.

Dominic Burke, from estate agents King Sturge, says people have been enquiring about the unique homes: “I think they look fantastic, and will be brilliant for the city.

“They are so striking and we have had a lot of interest.

“We are still taking the details of interested parties but it is a waiting game now, until the project gets planning consent.”

PLANS are available for viewing at Millennium House on Victoria Street until January 28. Parties will have three weeks to make representations to the council’s planning department, before the application is sent to a planning committee.

TO REGISTER an early interest in Flotilla Homes, contact King Sturge on 0151 242 6490 or e-mail: flotilla@king sturge.com

lizawilliams