A PLANNING application has been submitted seeking to remodel supported living homes in a bid to help "eliminate rough sleeping" in St Helens.

Plans have been submitted by applicant Lindsey Smith for the Stables Court, Frontfield Court And Cross Meadow Court sites on Appleton Road, Peasley Cross.

The Appleton Road scheme is a development of three blocks of purpose-built flats in St Helens consisting currently of 37 one-bed and 15 two-bed units.

The application states "the performance of the Appleton Road scheme has been an issue for a number of years and whilst attempts have been made to deal with this, it is widely believed that this can only be fully resolved by a remodelling proposition to increase the size of the flats and ensure that these are configured for modern living".

Plans say that there are in St Helens 23 people in temporary emergency accommodation; 16 unique rough sleepers found per month and on average five to six rough sleepers found per day currently; and 45 individuals at risk of rough sleeping.

Overall, plans say "this amounts to 84 current and predicted rough sleepers or at risk of rough sleeping in the 2020/21 period".

It adds "there is a clear need for additional accommodation for rough sleepers in St Helens".

Plans state the proposal is to "remodel Stables Court and Frontfield Court only to provide a 28 unit supported housing scheme linked by landscaped communal gardens and parking facilities".

An office or communal room will be provided in each block on the ground floor to accommodate the on-site support.

The application says that in order to improve the quality of accommodation, Stables Court is being remodelled "to reduce the number of flats from 18 (including one last used as an office) to 14 one-bed flats".

Frontfield Court is "being remodelled to reduce the number of flats from 19 to 14 one-bed flats".

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Plans add the remodelling of Stables Court and Frontfield Court will "provide aspirational homes that are designed specifically as move-on accommodation as per the Next Steps Accommodation Programme (NSAP) to meet the needs of individuals who have been homeless and risk a return to rough sleeping".

It is said "whilst the density of the development will be lower than the previous arrangement seeing a reduction to 28 units on the site, this still represents additionality as the current blocks are considered to be moribund stock as are not fit for purpose in their current form".

Also, the exterior of all three buildings, including Cross Meadow Court, "will be enhanced by light cream render which will complement the landscaped grounds and generally lift the entire area which is presently dominated by dull red and brown brickwork".

It is said "this will provide a cohesive design for all three blocks which should uplift the aesthetics of the area".

The proposals note that Planning permission has already been granted at Cross Meadow Court for supported living (high level mental health facility), including 14 units of tenancy based supported accommodation and two crisis beds in partnership with the local authority.

The application adds: "If the scheme is successful, it should help to eliminate rough sleeping within the borough".

Consultation on plans lasts until Friday, September 18. A determination deadline has been set for October 21.