Go ahead for housing estate at former school site (From St Helens Star)

Go ahead for housing estate at former school site

8:00am Saturday 12th January 2013 in News

EIGHTY four homes will be built on the site of a former secondary school after council planners gave the scheme the go-ahead.

Builders Taylor Wimpey will construct the houses on land at Birley Street, Newton-le-Willows, where the St Aelreds Catholic Technology College once stood.

The council’s urban regeneration director Bob Hepworth said: “The proposed development would be acceptable in terms of scale, design and materials within its setting.

“It would also be acceptable in terms of impact on affected neighbours, would avoid intrusiveness and undue dominance.”

The school closed and was later flattened following the creation of the Hope Academy, which replaced St Aelreds and Newton High.

Fifteen of the 84 homes will be affordable housing, according to Taylor Wimpey.

Planning permission includes a series of conditions, including that the development must begin in the next three years.