Hope Street-Myrtle Street Student Death Trap Waiting To Happen

They don,t build them like they used to on Hope Street.

Here opposite the Philharmonic Hall you can see what Liverpool's planning morons sanction. 

There's NO HOPE!

A Jerry Build, that if, god forbid there ever was a fire, the whole place would go up like kindling. 

In the light of the Grenfell Tragedy surely there must be someone with a conscience at Liverpool planning department, well somewhere out there there must be someone with a conscience and not taking a back'ander and insist the council make a full investigation, into how, this piece of rubbish was ever allowed to be built. 

How many other buildings are made with stick-a-bricks glued on to plywood.

 http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.co.uk/2010/07/maghull-developments-want-extra-time.html


http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.co.uk/2010/07/maghull-developments-ask-for-extension.html

Mr Brocklebank-Its Like Old Times.

Mr Brocklebank hits town with a bit of gusto and rhetoric this week..... its almost like I was writing the column again. Well done its good to see the old mucker (huh!) gets a bit of its old hard hitting self back.


DEVELOPERS in Liverpool are often harangued for allegedly undermining the city’s fine architectural heritage.

Not only is the world-class waterfront’s World Heritage Status imperilled by the excesses of modern construction crowding out the Three Graces, the uber-modern ferry terminal has in recent years lifted aloft the Carbuncle Cup, and the Museum of Liverpool took runner-up spot in this year’s competition.
So it’s refreshing for Mr Brocklebank when he hears of a developer who is sensitive to the needs of some of the city’s fine old historic sites when putting in for planning permission for their grand designs.Step forward Maghull Developments, which this week was given the go-ahead for a multi-million pound equestrian centre on the site of the former Allerton Priory and Home Farm, and has been seeking the help of “one of the country’s most reputable heritage advisors who has been working closely with the council’s conservation officers”.
The squire will say it again: three cheers for Maghull Developments. If only it had been around when someone decided to rip down the fine historic gem that was Josephine Butler House on Mulberry Street a couple of years ago to make way for a car park.
Ah.

ONE frequent attendee at Liverpool’s planning meetings is Liberal leader Cllr Steve Radford, who is never short of an objection or two.
Certainly in recent years the biggest bee in his bonnet has been to do with the number of hostels springing up around the north end of the city. As many in local political circles will know, the indomitable defender of Fortress Tuebrook is nothing if not plain spoken (a quality that has seem him brush up against the Standards Board in the past).
However, it can sometimes be the case that he mixes his metaphors (or rather, his similes): hence his blasting of committee members he felt to be complacent on the matter as “rubber chickens” – a phrase that certainly furrowed quizzical brows on the committee benches.
As one helpfully clarified for a committee member afterwards: “I hazard what he meant to say was you’re a bunch of a headless chickens just rubber stamping applications”. So that’s all right, then.
ALL of the above brings the insuperably droll planning chairman Cllr John Mackintosh’s comments at the beginning of the planning meeting into sharper focus.
“We’ve got some students here who are doing planning at Liverpool Uni,” he said in his characteristic Everton drawl, “so hopefully they can pick up a few things.
“I wouldn’t bank on it, though.”


http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/views/liverpool-columnists/2011/11/10/mr-brocklebank-horses-for-courses-drinking-once-they-ve-bolted-92534-29750862/

Another Hacking Scandal-Right In Front Of The Liverpool Conservation Officers Eyes.

It started some while ago, a complete lack of disregard for history.
Those concerned slowly become ignorant to the law, and the law lets them get away with it. Because they were the law.

A subculture unfolded, where no punishment is dished out, there may even be advice given directing people how to get way with it.
Those rioters did no damage compared to the Liverpool planners and their property developing councillors.

It started, with Trevor and Doreen Jones, so said Private Eye, who wacked down the last Ships Chandlers on the Strand, next to the Baltic Fleet public house. They downed it on the Saturday after a listing application was received by the council on the Friday.

http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.com/2009/03/superlambanana-land.html
http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.com/2009/03/undeclared-interest-of-jones-vote.html  

Lady Doreen Jones was the then chair of the City Planning Committee. What a scandal.

Then it was 6 Sir Thomas Street, they, of Iliad, the developers, seemingly quite cosy with the city council, sent out a team of ignorant little hackers with jack-hammers to smash up the frontage, carved Liver Birds and all.  http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.com/2009/03/heres-one-they-did-earlier.html
The task to smash off the façade……right under the window of the then council leader Warren “War Zones” Bradley, who said “I wondered what all the noise was”.
This happened while awaiting the visit of an English Heritage Inspector. It now looks like a pigs ear.
http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.com/2011/01/layla-hotel-liverpool-destroying.html

Then the arrogant Maghull Developments smashed off the façade of Josephine Butler House when, guess what awaiting a listing visit from the English Heretics.
Hahnermann House had received a Grade II listing that we applied for, hours before a planning committee decision to develop the site with a horrendous extension.

Mike Hanlon would tell me later on “You did us a favour there, with Hahnermann House”.
http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.com/2009/04/liverpool-preservation-trust-11-13.html
He did himself no favours in destroying JBH as all the fluffy duffys were out in force declaring it a national disaster. http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.com/2009/03/httpwww.html  While they dont give a hoop to anything out of Hope Street.
JBH is now credit crunched. http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-news/regional-news/2009/03/03/100m-redevelopment-of-liverpool-s-hope-street-is-the-latest-victim-of-the-credit-crunch-92534-23047723/


Still, in the Baltic Triangle, see above picture the same old, same old is happening.
Despite them telling us the Baltic Triangle will become a Cultural Quarter. Not quite sure how you get a triangle into a quarter?
http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.com/2009/10/liverpools-baltic-triangle-to-become.html  

Its a Culture of Facade Hacking more like. Some things never change.
 I drove down Bridgewater Street and there was a cherry picker and hackers at work, twatting off yet another facade, nothing changes. Its not listed. Steve Corbett says it has architectural merit though.....and thats about it.


Here's the sketch, smash the façade about on any given property, its a tried and tested method, and it looks a mess and then claim its an eyesore and then an otherwise decent building is downed and hey Presto!  a Jerry Build goes up for half the cost. Hacking scandals, Liverpool is full of them
There are already plans for next door. 3, 5 and 7 Bridgewater Street.
http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.com/2010/04/57-9-bridgewater-street-up-for.html

The Conservation Officer is a waste of time, I even get the feeling he has to be aware of it all, as no-one in the job of Conservation, in my opinion, can be so thick, or so behind the times, well apart from John Hinchliffe the World Heritage Waste of Space that stands by and watches the WHS be decimated.
Not sure if the both of them are deaf and dumb because they never hear anything and never say anything. On the rare occasion they do stutter some rubbish its usually wrong and misguided. http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.com/2010/08/heaps-rice-mill-grade-ii-listed-and.html
Heaps Rice Mill will be down next.

While Malcolm Kennedy, the Council Cabinet Member for Regeneration (code for lets help Peel Holdings destroy the WHS) appointed by Frank McKenna, I mean Joe Anderson, tells us how wonderful it all is.

Regeneration or Degeneration, another hacking scandal, this time, half a mile from what we are told, is a booming Grosvenor-pool.

Mr Brocklebank Turns Into An Estate Agent?

When I used to write most of the Brocklebank column it had an edge.
We exposed Iliad who destroyed 6 Sir Thomas St, and Maghull Developments for destroying Josephine Butler House, helping to show them up for what they were. Property doing damage had a rough ride.
Bernie Turner as a so called historic champion had a rough ride too.

I spoke to the new Mr Brocklebank only a couple of weeks ago who assured me that when he went for a free lunch with a property developer he told them "It doesn't mean that I will write anything up about you". Well said old boy.
The Old Mr Brocklebank also wrote about the destruction of all the trees in Church Street lobbed down overnight in an act of vandalsim by the council.
Even the recent disturbances left the cities trees intact.

When Canada Boulevards Maples, donated by the Canadian Government to make a honourable remembrance for Canada's war hero's, and the fallen, in the second world war, he was there writing about it. 
The outrage.

But something has come over very queer with the "New" Mr Brocklebank he now appears to be supporting property developers such as David Brewitt and Alan Beers company, Urban Edge Ltd, who want to build student boutique accommodation in the Hope Street area.
This sounds a spun up term made up by a PR company, no surprise when Jon Egan and Co at Aurora Media have been Alan Beers PR for years.

WHO’D be a property developer, eh? Mr Brocklebank says

http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/views/liverpool-columnists/mr-brocklebank/2011/08/11/mr-brocklebank-regeneration-and-renewal-in-liverpool-what-a-riot-92534-29216253/
Not only does one run the risk of seeing his properties trashed by the baying hordes of rioters who have taken to the streets of Liverpool this week, but he also runs the risk of falling foul of the mobilis vulgaris more commonly known as the planning committee.
So found David Brewitt, owner of the Hope Street Hotel, who addressed this week’s planning committee ahead of its decision on his plans to refurbish the old orphanage, on Myrtle Street.
The meeting began on a sombre note when Mr Brewitt explained that his other luxury student dwellings atop of Tesco, farther up Myrtle Street, had fallen victim to vandalism.
Important it was, he said, that we show that, as a city, we can’t be cowed and are very much open for business.
A plea that appears to have fallen on deaf ears, if the planning committee’s decision on the orphanage was anything to go by.
In what some might say was a classic “can’t see the wood for the trees” scenario, planning chairman Cllr John Mackintosh ruled that concerns over the fate of the plane trees on Myrtle Street were enough to put the £13m project on ice. Who’d be a developer, indeed?


Now I hate the way this planning committee operates but thought on this occasion common sense was being used and they were wanting to protect the trees.......simple as that.

Last week Marc Waddington who was at the planning committee meeting wrote http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2011/08/10/row-over-trees-puts-bid-for-luxury-liverpool-student-pads-on-hold-100252-29208619/
Council woodland and tree manager Peter Howsen said if the plan went ahead, the trees would be too close to the new build upper floors and would require excess pruning which would lead to their eventual deaths.

He argued for the development to be set back an extra two metres to protect the trees.

The week before he spun it up into an advertorial of sorts for the developers. http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2011/08/04/13m-to-turn-liverpool-orphanage-into-posh-student-flats-100252-29174661/

The bid to bring the Grade II-listed orphanage back into use has won the support of English Heritage, subject to concerns about the retention of internal features and building materials being allayed.

Mr Brewitt said: “Historically it’s a fantastic building which will be brought back into use with minimum intervention.
“We’ve tried to take some of the ideas from boutique hotels so we aim to offer the equivalent of the Hope Street Hotel for students.
“The accommodation students get these days is quite staggering in terms of quality, but it does appeal more to overseas and postgraduate students.
“It’s about the more discerning end, the more studious students.”

The old Liverpool orphanage was set up to help the poor children of Liverpool how times change.


Lets hope Mr Brocklebank does not become a Daily Ghost PR Plumper.

Warren Bradley Resigns And Then Is Suspended-Good Riddance.

To say Warren Bradley is as thick as two short planks, really is an insult to the planks.

Plonked in his position as a facilitator by Mike Storey, now Lord Storey, who also had to resign for dodgy tactics, and Clever Trevor Jones,  we have had to endure this stupid man for far too long. http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.com/2010/09/trevor-jones-and-hole-in-ground.html
Here he is toasting a glass of champagne with Mike Hanlon of Maghull Developments.
Remember his Best Mate Councillor Steve Hurst who had to go. http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.com/2009/09/councillor-steve-hurst-steps-down-good.html

Is it just me who thinks this way, maybe not. http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.com/2009/09/is-warren-bradley-really-that-thick.html
http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.com/2009/07/warren-bradley-you-are-not-very-clever.html
Read Correspondents take, though I cant agree its been good to know him.

 http://condensedthoughts.blogspot.com/2011/04/so-long-its-been-good-to-know-you.html

Or a satirical look by Professer Chucklebutty who says Wheres Wall Now.
http://profchucklebuttychronic.blogspot.com/2011/04/wally-bradlow-shock-resignation-of.html


Last week he was complaining that Nick Gleggs involvment with the Conservatives would ruin his party. He now leaves the Fib-Dems without a leader ahead of the May 5th elections. http://blogs.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/dalestreetblues/2011/04/daily-post-column-non-je-ne-re.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+LiverpoolDailyPost-DaleStreetBlues+%28Liverpool+Daily+Post+-+Dale+Street+Blues%29

He will now concentrate on his Fire Engine Driving around the War Zones he helped create.
http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.com/2011/03/liverpool-pathfinders-left-high-and-dry.html

http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.com/2010/09/city-has-been-run-by-spivs-and-gamblers.html

Good Riddance  

From: Warren Bradley


Date: Mon, 18 Apr 2011 11:51:54

Subject: Media Reports

Dear All,
I write to you firstly to outline the media headlines today and secondly to let you know of my plans.
I have today been accused by the media of putting my sons name forward to stand for election, without his knowledge, and then to underline my intention I spoke to the press as if to reaffirm the fraud.
I cannot say too much at this stage for obvious reasons, but to inform you I totally deny this allegation and am seeking legal advice to that end.
Secondly, although I fully intended to stand down this May to pursue my fire service career, I will be with immediate effect standing down as the Leader of the City Council Liberal Democrat Group (hooray I hear from some); lots of things have happened during my 6 year tenure, mostly positive with lots of support from the majority of members, but sadly there have been people who have continuously undermined me in the position, something which has been extremely illiberal, something I am not used to, and something I understand that has driven them to help with what they have today, sadly involving my son.
In conclusion, peoples private lives should remain just that, unfortunately some senior members in our Group do not feel the same. Can I give a gentle prod to whoever succeeds me in the position to ensure they have the total support of the majority of the Group, without that, life will also become as miserable for you.
Sincere apologies if this issue causes you more electoral problems (I think the national party have already done that - but I am now the scapegoat!), it is the last thing that I would want. Electioneering was never about me, but the Lib Dems in Liverpool, it is such a pity the same cannot be said for some.
I will still be around pounding the pavements as a true liberal, standing up for ordinary people.
I will also be collecting subs, leaflet bills and other outstanding amounts because life goes on. so if you owe, get paying!
Let us start afresh as a united team, (stop leaking information that makes it more difficult for us) to crush those who are the real enemy - our political opponents.
Thanks again for the opportunity.
Regards
Warren

Warren Bradley, What a Plank.

Joe Anderson-Sitting Far Too Close To Frank McKenna.

  Last weeks "Cool Business Award" Ceremony, (excuse me for laughing but I couldn't think of a single grey suited flannelet who was there who may have been remotely cool), was attended by Joe Anderson who is proud to proclaim Mr McKenna as a fellow Labour party member and supporter. Mr McKenna has a chequered history of Labour Party membership.

Frankly, I don't like the relationship between our elected council leader and a Spiv. In my opinion, everyone knows him as a spiv that is what he gets paid for, to ease his fellow businessmen into little tight holes that may be hard to get to otherwise. 

The Council leader should be above this sort of relationship with local business men, especially those with a dubious history. They should not be holding hands under the table. 

 It could be that, in my opinion, ill thought out relationships makes him ignore bodies such as English Heritage, and he may try to jib the planning procedure in a rush to help property developers, as it appears is happening with Peel Holdings.

Mr Anderson should be aware that a public inquiry should be called for over Liverpool Waters.

 http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.com/2010/11/joe-anderson-spiving-for-peel-holdings.html

http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.com/2009/06/dlib-in-skip.html We will make you an offer you can't refuse his advertising says showing himself as the Godfather, 

Billy Quiff more like it, anyone can pay a few girls to link you to kid people you are liked, Frank.

 McKenna himself says

Frank McKenna was a young Skelmersdale politician with the world at his feet. Chairman of the North West Regional Assembly, leader-elect of Lancashire County Council, he was destined for a safe Labour seat in the House of Commons where a ministerial career surely beckoned. Then rumours of election fraud surfaced in satirical magazine, Private Eye, forcing him to resign from public office. After a £3 million police investigation, the judge threw out the case but his political career was over. Now he is back in Lancashire as the head of Downtown Preston in Business – a high profile lobbying group which is sure to create waves. Editor Andrew Calvert went to meet a man who is remarkably sanguine about his experiences. When you are awaiting trial on fraud charges, your chances of finding a job are somewhat limited. “There’s not a lot you can do other than work for yourself,” recalled McKenna, reflecting on the events back in 2001.The sharp-suited, fast-talking Scouser had never been short of contacts in both the public and private sectors. A public affairs consultancy business was the obvious choice of a new career and McKenna was soon winning work throughout the North West.

He had built a reputation in Liverpool for his work with property developers on planning issues and came up with the idea for Downtown Liverpool in Business. http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.com/2010/06/frank-mckenna-suckles-at-breast-of-joe.html



Here is how he promotes himself, Is it James Bond, Basildon Bond, Brooke Bond, or Jenny.

 MORE LIKE IT.

Just who does this fella think he is? The editor of the local paper. http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.com/2010/03/frank-mckenna-unofficial-editor-of.html

Joe Anderson said "Frank started Downtown Liverpool in Business then he took it to Preston.......now all we need is for him to do Downtown Manchester and then we will see the back of him".
 Ho, Ho Joe, very funny but don't you remember the Derek Hatton days.
When it was thought uncool, or just plain not right to give favours to local spivs. Far too much council land and favours have been given away to local businessmen. Wilberforce House to Beetham for £120,000 by the Fib-Dems.
Derek Hatton was in court for it was reported, the city council, allegedly slicing a piece of land, that is now one of the main routes into Grosvenor-pool not far from the Beehive public house.
http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-news/regional-news/2010/11/23/david-cameron-vows-merseyside-won-t-return-to-1980s-misery-92534-27696885/ 

Today's Daily Ghost has a interview with David Cameron, though it doesn't say who interviewed him, strange.
Incidentally it was David Bartletts predecessor Larry Neild a card carrying member of the Labour party who was reporting most of Liverpool's Militant era, wrongly. It was not the local press who found out about the then unofficial council leaders business interests but the Sunday Times, right under the noses of the lazy bastards at the Echo, or where they lazy, was the deceit of the public rife and they accepted they didn't have to report but, make it up, to suit themselves,
    And Lodge Lane still lies in ruins 30 years after the Toxteth Riots.
Joe and Frank are both very close with the Dame of Dereliction Louise Ellman, who now Lords over Toxteth.
http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.com/2009/06/louise-ellman-mp-dame-of-dereliction.html
In fact, was it not Frank McKenna who was very close with her during those dimly lit Skelmersdale days, that we still don't know exactly what happened and wont as all the local reporters are about 12 years of age and don't have a clue how to do research, or may not be permitted to.

So is Joe Anderson a chubby version of Mike Storey and Warren Bradly, seen here with Mike Hanlon of Maghull Developments, who knocked the facade off Josephine Butler House, in between cocktails. http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.com/2009/06/well-its-hahnerman-house-again.html


 Stinky Ink Bartlett, "The Prisoner" writes, well sort of, today on his blog http://blogs.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/dalestreetblues/2010/11/lessons-for-the-republicans-an.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+LiverpoolDailyPost-DaleStreetBlues+%28Liverpool+Daily+Post+-+Dale+Street+Blues%29

The local press, The Trinity "Smoking" Mirror Group, need to get their house in order and instead of allowing all the same mistakes to be made again, get their own house in order before they pass judgement on the local political scene.

Maghull Developments want extra time for £100m Hope Street scheme.

I have just copied todays piece down considering David Bartlett did the same from me.
http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.com/2010/07/maghull-developments-ask-for-extension.html

Maghull Developments want extra time for £100m Hope Street scheme.
http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-news/regional-news/2010/07/30/maghull-developments-want-extra-time-for-100m-hope-street-scheme-92534-26960211/
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.”
The company has already reconfigured part of the scheme.
Maghull refurbished the Hahnemann Building to provide short-term flexible office accommodation.
But it hopes to revert to its original plan to convert the Grade II- listed building at 58 Hope Street into a four star 50-bedroom boutique hotel with a bar, restaurant and day-spa.
The firm was forced back to the drawing board with its original plans for a larger hotel in the Hahnemann Building after the building was listed in 2008.
These plans are not part of the extension application.
Simon Taylor, member of the Rodney Street Association, who lives in nearby Canning Street is one of a number of people to lodge objections.
Deputy council leader Paul Brant and Cllr Steve Munby have also objected.
Mr Taylor said: “Given that the case was not straightforward first time round I do not think planning permission should automatically be extended.
“A re-think of the whole project is needed, it is a different climate.”
He said the plans would cramp the already busy street.
“I am also concerned the volume of cars in the area will exacerbate parking problems.”
Last year the Daily Post revealed how Liverpool John Moores University had netted £10m from the sale of buildings which form the basis of Maghull’s scheme.

What Hope!

Hahnermann House.
A colleague of ours Simon Taylor who is an active member of the Georgian Group and is restoring some property in the Georgian Quarter has a keen eye on the area. The Georgians who have a active patron H.R.H Prince Charles and recently did a major survey of the state of Liverpool’s Architectural Georgiana (see The Georgian, Issue 1 2008, see our link section). Simon recently complained to the Riechmarshal Nigel Lee about the 2 weeks consultation period for plans no (RE: Hahnemann Building / 58 Hope Street, L1 - Planning and Listed Building Applications (09F/0932 & 09L/0933) . They the council admitted that they had put an advert in the Merseymart too late, Hmm, and not given adequate time to the public, Hmm, whats new there. They have subsequently extended the deadline for objections to the 19th of June. They, the council with Chris Ridland as case officer have been working with the developers for 3 years and the public get 14 days, something wrong there.
The offensive part of the original plans where a massive monolithic extension on the back, not in keeping with...well anything really.


So it gives all the Councillor Steve Mumby's of this world the chance to get some publicity for objecting to plans for the trendy Hope Street. We will also have to put up with another load of waffle from Hilary Burridge of the pathetic Merseyside Civic Society. She, in my opinion, never leaves the street and only complains about anything in Hope Street while she is in her own words Honorary Campaign manager for her shyness the “Dame of Dereliction” Louise Ellman whose constituancy this is in.
If you have anything to say folks get down to the planners and look at the plans first, no point in moaning after the event.

We at the LPT made an application to have this building listed and as such we feel we have saved it from what would have been a disaster. We had to bypass the local English Heretics because we consider them not fit for purpose and Henry Owen-John their regional development Director is more interested in sucking up to developers than protecting the historic fabric of the city like he should. It was the case that it was of architectural merit that the national office listed it, right under the noses of the Local office and Mr Mannering and Co at the local conservation(sic)office. I felt that there were too many links from the City Council to local developers and this is a case where I believe rules were being bent to accommodate the Developer Maghull. Mike Hanlon recently thanked me, shaking my hand, he said, “You have done us a favour we are glad it’s listed”, Oh yeah that’s not what Mr Maghull was saying last year. Mr Maghoul now lives in Hope street, no its not in a coffin in St James cemetery and he doesn’t only come out at night, as has been suggested, its in a neat Georgian house. He has recently joined the Georgian group. It seems he is a reformed character. Josephine Butler house still stands as a reminder to his wicked ways.
He recently got broken into, I thought it was Phil Coppel the tour guide he said publicly he would bury in the foundations of JB House but prominent lawyer Reximillions Makinitup told me that he alleged that some-one allegedly told him that it was alleged that some-one was allegedly seen running away and it looked like Hilary Porridge wielding an alleged sharp instrument and that she may have been trying, allegedly to get her own back…...well they said it looked like Nosferatu the Vampire but you cant kid me. Anyway he was not at home. A note was left saying welcome to Hope Street Mr Magool. Sinister!

I don’t think this scheme will happen myself there are far too many hotels in Liverpool now and the market is taking a dive and in the meantime Maghoul are going to rent it out as offices.

Will these plans now finally be passed now that Baron Wadley's mate fellow fireman the burst Hurst is not on the planning committee. Will David "am I bovvered" Irving finally get his way. The original application, I advised him at the "switched" planning committee meeting at the Cockerel Rooms at St Georges Hall did not have listed building consent application with it. He had to refuse it, or was it defer. And why was there an unprecedented case of lumping four planning applications in as one whole planning application thus confusing most of the many objectors, ten of who turned up late as they had been waiting outside the town hall, the usual planning committee meeting place. Its not Cricket. Its like the planners make their own game up.

IF A PICTURE TELLS A THOUSAND WORDS.

pic courtesy the Proffessor

Hahneman House Hope Street

Liverpool Preservation Trust
11-13 Holts arcade
India Buildings
Water St
Liverpool L2 0RR
I was approached in my office by Micheal Hanlon of Maghull Developments the perpetrators of hacking off everyone in Liverpool as well as the stone façade of Josephine Butler house.
The LPT along with others made a application to have Hahnermann House in Hope street listed and this was in fact done at the 11th Hour, on the 25th Feb 08 just days before a planning committee meeting.
This was done despite the developers and the city council claiming that English Heritage were consulted in the planning process….this was untrue.
They, EH, were written to by the planning manager, with a bog standard letter worded in such a way to not give any concern to the quality of the building. We had to bypass the local EH office. I advised the committee that a application for listed building consent was not included in the plans and David “am I bovvered” Irving the chair of the committee, perplexed had to take our advice.
Outside I overheard delegates for Maghull saying….”He just wasn’t strong enough with them” referring to the deferment of the plans that were later withdrawn.
Micheal Hanlon now wants to talk to all those people he called Heritage Wankers and has asked if I can have a look at a scaled down version of the plans for Hahnemann, minus the massive glass box at the back. Is this a new dawn or is it tactics? Am I interested in seeing the plans so I can advise other interested parties.
I am considering this request noting that this is a way to quell the natives, but on the understanding that this is not part in any way of a consultation exersise with them and cannot be construed as such as I consider a company who behave like Maghull did, are not up to behaving in a gentlemanly manner and are incapable of having any consideration for Liverpools heritage and just want to make as much as they can. We will see.
Despite being very nice to me, he also said to me (27th Mar 09) that he doesn’t care what anyone thinks. He also said that Nigel (Lee) is to pass the demolition of a wooden structure on the JB House site under delegated powers.
This is a new tactic that Riechmarshal Nigel Lee is using more often to bypass people with a genuine concern and should not be used on this occasion in my opinion.

LETTER FROM ENGLISH HERITAGE regarding Hahnemann House Hope Street

04 March 2008

Dear Wayne Colquhoun,

Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990
Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest

FORMER HAHNEMANN HOMEOPATHIC HOSPITAL AND DISPENSARY, 42-56, HOPE STREET, LIVERPOOL, MERSEYSIDE

I am writing further to our previous correspondence regarding the application to list the above
building.

The Secretary of State, after consulting English Heritage, the Government's statutory adviser,
has decided to list the building at grade II. The reasons are:

· The building's design and use of good quality materials and workmanship mark it out as an architecturally accomplished C19 hospital building.
· Internally the building remains relatively unaltered with a surviving original plan form and numerous original features still in situ.
· The building is still clearly readable as a former hospital
· It remains a very good example of a relatively rare specialist hospital type that was constructed at a time when homeopathic medical practice was at its peak of popularity.

This letter gives notice of listing prior to the relevant local authority preparing the statutory
notices required under the Act. Meanwhile, it is important to be aware that the listing of the
building has already taken effect.

If you consider that the decision has been wrongly made you may write to the Department for
Culture, Media and Sport within 28 days of the date of this letter to request that the Secretary
of State review the decision. An example of a decision made wrongly would be where there
was a factual error or an irregularity in the process which affected the outcome. You may also
ask the Secretary of State to review the decision if you have any significant evidence relating
to the special architectural or historic interest of the building which was not previously
considered. Further details of the review criteria and process are contained in the annex to this
letter.

I have enclosed a copy of the list entry and our Adviser's Report for your information.
Yours sincerely

Ms Annika Nickson
Territory Co-ordinator, North

NO HOPE

How dare they do this to my Liverpool
The threat to some of the city's most beautiful buildings is typical of our disregard for history.
Ed Vulliamy
The Observer, Sunday 22 March 2009
Article history
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/mar/22/architecture-heritage-liverpool-hope-street
FOR SUCH A LONG TIME THE LPT HAS BEEN WARNING OF THE CITY PLANNERS DISREGARD FOR OUR HERITAGE AND NOW THE PRODIGAL SONS RETURNING TO SEE THE MESS ARE WRITING ABOUT IT...........WE WARN, YOU SCORN... AFTER THE EVENT USUALLY. I did not see any of the complainants at the planning meeting arguing against the plans, none more a visible absence than Hilary Burridge, now taking up the cause after the damage is done...she is very close to Louise Ellman, acting as a honoury campaign organiser, whose constituency this happened within. In parts Liverpool 8 is still like a third world country decades after the Toxteth riots and I don't see any writing about that...good old Louise and Hilary create a series of smoking mirrors around the MP who in my opinion, champions a cause in the trendy hot spots in the city centre but lets Beaufort Street school a grade II listed building down the road in L8 be de-listed and demolished. Double standards. See our THERE IS NO HOPE blog....and LIVE DEMOLITION blog.
http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.com/2009/03/httpwww.html
Wayne

THERE IS NO HOPE

There are two hopes of getting this development built...No Hope and Bob

http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-news/regional-news/2009/03/03/100m-redevelopment-of-liverpool-s-hope-street-is-the-latest-victim-of-the-credit-crunch-92534-23047723/


What a shame a nasty smack off job was done to Josephine Butler House


Liverpool Hope Street redevelopment latest victim of credit crunch
Mar 3 2009 by David Bartlett, Liverpool Daily Post

£100m redevelopment of Liverpool’s Hope Street is the latest victim of the credit crunch
THE proposed £100m redevelopment of Liverpool’s historic Hope Street has become the latest victim of the credit crunch.
Maghull Developments, which has mortgages for the project with crisis-hit Royal Bank of Scotland, said it would not be able to finance the mixed-use scheme until it had pre-let a significant proportion of the project.
Managing director Mike Hanlon also said he was unable to give a start date for its £7m office, apartment and retail development on Crosby’s former Central Buildings site.
The company has now applied for permission to build an additional 14 car parking spaces on the site of Josephine Butler House, on the junction of Hope Street and Myrtle Street.
Last year, the company was accused of “hacking the front” off the historic building.
Maghull caused outrage when it claimed it was carrying out “specialist restoration work to the stone facade” of the building ahead of an application to have the building listed.
English Heritage refused to list the building and Maghull was eventually given permission to replace the 1867 former hospital building with 263 basement car parking spaces, a high-class mini market, restaurants, and office space.
The project was essential to the other developments in Hope Street for a hotel and more than 50 apartments, as it would provide car parking for them.
But last night the company said it would be “crystal ball gazing” to predict when work might start.
Its plan is to expand the surface car park on the site of Josephine Butler House from 53 to 67, causing fresh anger.
Liberal Democrat Cllr Berni Turner, historic environment champion, said: “The facade of the building was really attractive, and now we are getting a car park in its place, it’s very disappointing.”
Wayne Colquhoun, of Liverpool Preservation Trust, said what had been done to the building was a shame.
“It’s a disgrace, there is no other way to describe this.”
Labour Cllr Steve Munby, who represents the Riverside ward, said: “This is the latest stage in a grisly disaster for design and development in Liverpool.
“The vultures have picked over the corpse of a beautiful building and what we are left with is a graveyard of civic pride – a corporate car park.”
Mike Hanlon, managing director of Maghull Developments, said the company had to be realistic about building in a recession.
“In the current economic climate, we are not in a position to proceed, he said.
“As a short-term stop gap, we want to demolish the three-storey building facing Myrtle Street (Josephine Butler House) and a single-storey 1960s building.
“We have reports from English Heritage saying there was no significant interest in the building whatsoever. The stone cladding was taken off the building last year.
“The building cost is approaching £40m and the bank would not support any developer without pre-lets to move in.
“We are happy to hold tight for the time being.”
The company had always expected to have to wait while the university vacated other buildings, farther along Hope Street, which are also part of the overall project.
In Crosby, the company has plans for offices, apartments and new shops.
Marks & Spencer Simply Food, Tesco, Argos and HomeBargains are all said to have shown an interest in the Central Buildings scheme.
Maghull Developments owned almost 70% of Crosby Village, until it sold a large section to Sainsbury’s late last year.
Last night, Mr Hanlon said he did not know when work would start.
“It could be 12 months or three years, we will develop once the market picks up,” he said.The destroyed the facade of Josephine Butler house and it is still standing there as a Iconic piece of thuggery which has cut Maghull Developments nose off to spite our face.............they should never have been allowed to get away with this act of sheer and utter vandalism to a building that was stone faced and lay just outside a conservation area by the city council.
We at the Liverpool Preservation Trust asked for heritage protection from the council who stood idly by and watched it be hacked to bits by vandals.

The new application is 09F/0290 and there is a further aplication to return another previos application I think the old science faculty where the promised massive investment to the area it is I understand to be returned to the University who they are in partnership with as the properties subject to development were owned by them.

They also own the town centre of Crosby and that scheme is also at risk as they do not have the funding in place and if a supermarket deal falls through they could be in trouble.

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2008/04/15/what-the-developer-said-to-his-chief-critic-dear-sir-you-are-a-ing-ignorant-pig-100252-20765517/

Hope Street Thugs

http://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/dailynews/2008/04/developer_threatens_to_flatten_beatles_tour_guide.html




http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-news/regional-news/2008/03/03/demolition-fears-grow-as-developers-move-in-on-iconic-victorian-building-64375-20549239/


http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-news/regional-news/2008/03/04/developers-deny-jumping-the-gun-on-demolition-64375-20553330/

http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-news/regional-news/2008/03/12/100m-hope-street-regeneration-plan-at-risk-after-listing-row-64375-20609714/

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2008/03/12/city-no-on-100m-dream-for-hope-st-100252-20609851/

http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/views/liverpool-debate/2007/09/18/is-heritage-holding-back-progress-in-liverpool-64375-19809451/

http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-news/regional-news/2008/04/09/campaigners-lose-battle-to-save-historic-city-centre-building-64375-20738858/