CONTROVERSIAL Maghull Developments has applied for more time to build a mothballed £100m scheme in Liverpool’s historic Hope Street.

The project to create more than 50 apartments, office space, a high-class mini market, restaurants and an underground car park was hit by the credit crunch.

Three sets of planning permissions for the scheme expire next year and the company wants an extension until 2014.

The project controversially involved knocking down the historic Josephine Butler House, on the junction of Hope Street and Myrtle Street.

Ahead of the first planning application in 2008, the company was accused of “hacking the front” off the historic building causing an outrage.

When the credit crunch hit, the company admitted it could not proceed with the project and knocked part of the 1867 former hospital building down to create a 14-space car park.

Critics of the scheme are calling on the council to refuse the extension.

Last night Richard Gee from Gee Squared Ltd, the planning consultant acting for the company, said: “Maghull Developments has applied to extend its planning consent for Josephine Butler House, 2 Blackburne Place and 68 Hope Street, which expires in 12 months’ time, for a further period of three years.

“The extension will allow for a market upturn before any speculative development begins.”