WORK on a development to create 150 homes on land including a derelict cafe could begin in October, if permission is granted.

As the Star reported, plans have been drawn up to create 150 new homes on land that includes a derelict cafe that has been labelled an eyesore.

Housing Association Torus has submitted a planning application to St Helens Council that proposes creating the “affordable homes” off Laffak Road at Carr Mill.

The proposed re-development scheme will provide 150 affordable homes, including 57 houses, 92 apartments - in two, three and four storey blocks - and one bungalow.

Fifty of the the apartments would be designed for people aged over 55 years.

A spokeswoman for Torus said that the housing group has exchanged contracts with the land-owner, but added that acquisition of the land is subject to both a successful planning application and a successful bid for grant funding from Homes England.

It is anticipated that formal land acquisition will take place in May this year, with a projected start of work on the site for October 2019.

The land earmarked for development includes the former Carr Mill Cafe - which has stood empty for decades - and the former United Footwear and petrol station site, which is also vacant.

The site of the Carr Mill motor auctions is also included in the planning application.

Torus’ plans also include a stretch of mixed use land next to the auction site.

Plans state that the layout of Laffak Road would be altered as part of the development.

The development bid states that there remains ambitions for the proposed Carr Mill railway station, which has been discussed at various times over the past two decades but has never materialised.