New hotel plans for Hamiliton Square - 2nd Sep 2009 2:56pm
New hotel plans for Hamiliton Square look set for council approval
Plans to convert buildings in historic Hamilton Square into a 30-bed "boutique" hotel have been recommended for approval by council officers.
The scheme, to be studied by Wirral Council planning committee at its meeting next week, also includes four conference rooms, a bar and restaurant.
The proposals centre on listed buildings at numbers 2-5 Hamilton Square. The properties are owned by Hanaway Ltd, based in Bootle.
English Heritage carried out a a site meeting on April 21, and the scheme has been revised to address their earlier concerns. Subject to conditions the proposed hotel use and associated alterations are now supported by the group.
A report to the planning committee states the proposal will be "supporting the re-use of one of the finest buildings in the Merseyside region and will allow for the effective and efficient re-use of Grade-I Listed buildings.
"It is considered that the provision of such facilities will compliment the existing commercial uses around Hamilton Square and will help to support the existing and growing tourism on Wirral and encourage tourism into Birkenhead."
It adds the proposed development would be in keeping with the character of the area and would not "introduce harm to the street scene."
Designers, Liverpool-based firm A2 Architects, have incorporated a lift into their plans to allow disabled access to all five floors of the proposed development.
Planning councillors will have the final say on the scheme when they meet on September 10.
THE GLOBE
