Tobacco factory plans refused

Mar 19 2008 by Laura Sharpe, Liverpool Daily Post

DEVELOPER George Wimpey has been told it cannot demolish a former Tobacco factory to convert into houses.

City planning chiefs refused an application to demolish and redevelop Ogdens Tobacco Factory site on West Derby Road.

Planning officers said the scheme to build 106 houses and 104 flats was poorly designed and left the recently listed office building isolated from its industrial heritage.

Describing the style of the houses as utilitarian and of “a style we had years ago and got rid of” Everton ward Councillor John McIntosh expressed his disappointment at the plans.

The council’s planning officer said that while the loss of the factory buildings was not opposed, the importance of the listed building and the site’s history was not reflected in the application.

He said there were no objections to demolishing the factory buildings but there was concern about other buildings on site.

These include the original factory building linked to the office building.

A second application to carry out work including part demolition of Ogdens office building was approved subject to conditions.

Last year, Imperial Tobacco announced the closure of the factory in West Derby Road.