LIMERICK'S Chieftain Construction, led by Ger O'Rourke, has finally been given the green light by planners for a €75m development behind Liverpool's Lime Street Station.

The group's controversial original plans for a 32-storey glass tower were scaled back to 14 floors, to include a 150-bedroom hotel and 88 apartments.

Location

The company had originally planned to build a five-star hotel on part of the two-acre location.

However, it is now aiming for a three to four-star premises, as it will no longer be a landmark building.

"It's been a long battle. We've had to scale back our ambitions but we got there in the end," said Sean O'Sullivan, the operations director at Chieftain.

Mr O'Sullivan also said that the company has received approaches from four operators that are looking to run the hotel.

It may take months before it reaches a decision.

The company hopes to start construction by the end of the year. It is expected to take 15 months to build.

Irish Independent - 30th April 2007