Planning and listed building consent applications (refs 08F/0671 & 08L/0672 respectively) have been submitted to develop the former Waynes' builders merchant's premises as a hotel and restaurant. The plan is to extend the listed building (34 High Street) at the rear and convert it into a 12-suite 'apart-hotel'. The existing outbuilding at the far end of the yard will be demolished and replaced by a new three-storey building, incorporating a restaurant on the ground/first floors and a manager's flat above.

While we have no objection to the principle of a hotel in the High Street, we have written to the Planning Department expressing concern about a number of aspects: the materials proposed, the design of the new building, the size of the restaurant and the inadequacy of the on-site parking provision. We have also asked for conditions to be imposed to prevent the restaurant being operated as a pub/bar independently of the hotel.

In February 2007, new UPVC windows were installed at 131 Thingwall Road without planning permission having been granted. Later on in the year, a new pattern-imprinted concrete driveway was installed in the front garden, again without the benefit of planning permission. The City Council insisted on retrospective applications being submitted, and both of these applications (refs 07H/1899 & 07H/2634) were subsequently refused. The owner of the house has now appealed to the Planning Inspectorate, who will have to decide whether to support or overturn the Council's refusal of planning permission.

As usual in such circumstances, we were asked for our views. We replied that, while we have no objection in principle to UPVC windows, the particular design used at 131 is quite different, both in terms of profile and proportions, from the small-paned timber casement windows originally installed. And, while we have no objection to the parking of cars in front gardens, we feel that - within the Wavertree Garden Suburb Conservation Area - at least 50 percent of each front garden should be left unpaved. We also suggested that driveways should be constructed of stone (or artificial stone) slabs with brick edging and detailing, rather than poured concrete.