A PLANNING application to retain three containers on the site of a former mine shaft in Windle has been approved.

The application was made for the retention of three storage containers on the land, the retention of the existing boundary fencing and the installation of a new four-metre wide double gate to Atherton Street in Windle.

The application came following enforcement action from the council in 2016, with the original application being refused.

At St Helens Council’s planning committee on Tuesday, Cllr Martin Bond said it was “disappointing” the application has only come as a result of enforcement action.

The Haydock councillor questioned why the site had not previously been developed.

Melanie Hale, planning officer, said: “Our suspicions are, this site has never been developed because we know there is a mine shaft and try and develop this site would be one very difficult and two very expensive.”

Ms Hale told members that the council received ten objections to the application, mainly involving amenity issues and the location of the mine shaft.

Objections has also been raised regarding a security light that is currently on the site.

Windle councillor Gill Neal, cabinet member for better health and building arts and culture, spoke at the meeting on behalf of the Atherton Street residents.

She said the containers in their current form are a “loss of outlook” for residents and a detriment to those in close proximity to them.

Cllr Neal said that residents have asked for additional amendments to the application, including the creation of additional residents’ only parking spaces and restricted access to the site.

Ms Hale said the visual appearance of the site will be improved by the proposed fencing and landscaping and will be “appropriate” to the residential area.

The planning department recommended the committee grant planning permission subject to numerous conditions.

Moss Bank councillor, Paul Lynch, put forward a motion to grant planning permission subject to numerous additional conditions.

These were that the site can only operate between 10am to 4pm and that temporary permission be reduced from five years to two years.

An additional condition was also applied to remove the security lighting and an amendment to the landscaping scheme. Members granted permission.