Call for Wellington Rooms compromise

Mar 13 2008 by David Bartlett, Liverpool Daily Post

DEVELOPERS wanting to convert a historic city building into a hotel have called for the council to reach a compromise over its future.

Last year, the city’s planning committee rejected an £8m proposal to restore the grade II* listed Wellington Rooms, in Mount Pleasant, with a four-storey extension.

New Dimensions, the leaseholder of the building, has submitted an appeal to the decision, but the council are threatening to compulsorily purchase the building and hand it over to a building preservation trust.

Last night, Paul Flanagan, of the Flanagan Group, which would operate the hotel, called for a compromise with the council.

The building has been derelict for 12 years and requires around £3m to be spent just to restore its existing features.

The impetus to re-open the building has been exemplified this week by the arrest of a man suspected of stealing lead from the roof.

It is estimated that between £30,000 and £40,000 worth of damage has been done to the roof.

New Dimensions has already spent upwards of £700,000 on maintenance and drawing up plans for the building.

Mr Flanagan said: “We are prepared to do whatever it takes to make the scheme happen.

“But the Wellington Rooms have to work as a commercially viable venture.”

He said the problem with handing over the building to a building preservation trust, that would apply for grants to renovate the building, was the question mark over what the end use would be.

“It could be grant funded for five years, and then close again.”

It is understood that the main difference between council officials and developers is the glass box on the top of the building.

Mr Flanagan said this was an essential part as the venture was only commercially viable if it had 48 bedrooms.

“Our scheme would retain the Grade II* listed splendour of the building, but also open the doors so that everyone can see it.”

He hopes the glorious interior of the building would be a major pull for conferences and weddings.

“Our plans are not reliant on the council or government funding, it is entirely privately funded.”

He said his company and New Dimensions would fight any CPO.

“We want to negotiate, but it cannot be a commercial venture suicide.”

Last week, New Dimensions was given the backing of the Bishop of Liverpool , the Rt Rev James Jones.

He said: “New Dimensions’ plan may not tick all the boxes in heritage design, but the Wellington Rooms is next to the modern Metropolitan Cathedral.

“If anyone can do something that marries the classical and contemporary, Liverpool can surely do it.”

A council spokesman said: “We are willing to talk to the developers about any amended plans for this building.

“But it has to be recognised the Wellington Rooms are a Grade II* listed building, which puts it in the top 6% of buildings in the county, and any development there must recognise that and maintain the integrity of the building.”

davidbartlett