'Disgusting' hotel to become council rehab home

A plan by council bosses to turn a run-down hotel into a rehabilitation centre has met with opposition.

Liverpool City Council wants to turn the Green Park Hotel in the south of the city into a facility for up to 24 people.

A report to go before city planners later describes the now-closed hotel as having been "filthy", "smelly", and in need of investment.

But local councillors and residents said they were afraid the hostel could increase crime and antisocial behaviour in the area.

The hotel was built in the early 1900s on Greenbank Drive, and planners described it as "an example of a substantial grand house".

But they said in recent years it had struggled as a hotel and become "economically unviable".

The report to go before the council's planning committee described it has having been described on reviews site TripAdvisor as leaving people "absolutely disgusted".

The council said although the use of the building would change, it would "continue to function with a residential character, albeit with a care element".

But local Green Party councillor Martyn Madeley said there was no evidence of any need of such a hostel in the area.

Objections lodged by 38 neighbours said the area was residential and the building was close to schools.

The objectors also said that the rehabilitation centre being so close to many bars and restaurants on Smithdown Road made it an "unsuitable" location.

Merseyside Police, while not objecting, said "drug use and possession are prevalent and associated acquisitive crime such as theft appears to be linked to the drugs issue".

The council planning committee was recommended to approve the application.

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