Plans for a 'boutique' style hotel for Liverpool's riverfront Princes Dock development have been submitted for City Council approval.

If the £14m project is approved, the four-star hotel, owned by Marylebone Warwick Balfour (MWB) will offer 151 bedrooms, a brasserie and a leisure centre.

The Princes Dock Development Company says the proposal for the hotel is in line with the Mersey Docks and Harbour Company's 'vision' for the site and are targeting potential operators of leisure, health and fitness, restaurant, wine bar and other complementary retail facilities.

The nine-story hotel will occupy Plot 5 on the east side of the waterfront adjacent to the 4-star Crowne Plaza Hotel. The agreement for lease has been exchanged between Princes Dock and MWB (Liverpool).

Commenting on the proposals, Mersey Docks chief executive Peter Jones said: 'We would be delighted to welcome such a prestigious hotel and company. This second hotel would contribute greatly to the image we are cultivating of Princes Dock as the 24 hour, 7 days a week place to live, work and play.'

The overall masterplan for Liverpool's waterfront has also been amended, providing a trebling of hotel accommodation with taller buildings on an increased total of 13 plots.

The Princes Dock Development Company (a subsidiary of the Mersey Docks Group) says it envisages a 'vibrant day-and-night' environment with three hotels, 52,000sq ft of leisure and retail outlets and multi-storey car parks with 1,160 spaces. The redevelopment site already has a 4-star Crowne Plaza hotel. Details: Malcolm Irving or Jonathan Owen of Irving Rice and Partners +44 (0)151 476 0001.